Custom pattern from your photo
Your photo, written out as a pattern
Upload a photo of a knitted or crocheted item and see a preview of your written pattern in minutes. Not a colour chart: row-by-row (or round-by-round) instructions for the item itself, in the size you ask for. $19.99 per pattern — you only pay after you’ve seen a free preview.
One item, one written pattern. You only pay after you’ve seen the preview.
- Knit or crochet — garments, accessories and homewares
- Written for the size(s) you ask for
- In English, Deutsch, Dansk, Español, Français, Nederlands, Norsk, Svenska or Italiano
- Preview usually ready in a few minutes
Uploading is free. If you like the preview, pay on Stripe’s secure checkout and download the full PDF straight away. See our Terms.
How it works
Three steps from photo to pattern
-
Upload your photos
Fill in the form below: a photo of the front of the item (plus the back and close-ups if you can — up to five photos in all), knit or crochet, the size(s) you want, your yarn if you know it, and the language for your PDF. It’s free.
-
See a preview in minutes
Your pattern is written straight away and you see a preview of its first page on your own pattern page (we email you the link). If the photos don’t show enough, we say so instead of guessing, and nothing is charged.
-
Pay & download
Happy with it? Pay $19.99 and download the full PDF at once; we email it to you too. Not for you? Don’t pay: unused previews are deleted after 7 days.
Photos that work best
- Daylight, no flash — near a window, so stitches aren’t washed out.
- The whole item, laid flat — plus one photo of it worn or in use if you have it.
- A close-up of the stitches — sharp enough to count a few rows.
- Edges and details — cuffs, neckline, brim, seams or the back if it’s different.
- Something for scale — a tape measure or ruler in shot helps a lot.
- Screenshots or very small images often lose the stitch detail we need.
What’s in your PDF
- Materials — yarn weight and approximate amount, needle or hook size, notions.
- Gauge (tension) — and how to swatch to match it.
- Sizes & finished measurements for the size(s) you asked for.
- Abbreviations used in the pattern, explained.
- Row-by-row or round-by-round instructions, with stitch counts.
- Finishing — seaming, edging, weaving in ends and blocking.
Sizes
- Tell us the size(s) you want in your own words — for example “women’s M”, “chest 96 cm”, “baby 6–12 months” or “adult head 56 cm”.
- Body measurements are the most reliable way to get a good fit.
- Not sure? Say so in the notes and we’ll ask before we write.
Yarn & language
- Know the yarn weight (DK, Aran / worsted…)? Tell us and the pattern is written for it.
- Don’t know? Choose “I don’t know” and we’ll suggest a weight that matches the photo.
- Your PDF can be written in English, Deutsch, Dansk, Español, Français, Nederlands, Norsk, Svenska or Italiano.
Custom patterns from your photo open shortly
We’re putting the finishing touches to it. Want a note the day it opens? Email us or send a message through the contact form, and we’ll let you know first.
Meanwhile, read how it works and the FAQ on this page, or browse our ready-made patterns.
Custom pattern FAQ
Good to know
What can you write a pattern for?
Knitted and crocheted items of most kinds — sweaters, cardigans, hats, scarves, shawls, bags, blankets, toys and homewares. If a piece is very complex, we’ll tell you before we start.
What if my photo isn’t clear enough?
Your pattern page tells you instead of guessing — for example which angle or close-up would help — and nothing is charged. Just upload clearer photos.
Will the pattern match my item exactly?
We recreate the shape, stitch pattern and construction as closely as the photos show. Details that can’t be seen — the inside of a seam, an exact yarn — are worked out to give the same look.
Can I order a pattern in a language other than English?
Yes — choose English, Deutsch, Dansk, Español, Français, Nederlands, Norsk, Svenska or Italiano in the order form.
What happens to my photos?
They’re used only to write your pattern and deleted as soon as it’s written (usually within minutes). Unused previews are deleted after 7 days. The privacy notice has the details.
Can you write a pattern for a design I saw from a shop or a designer?
We write our own instructions to recreate the look of the item in your photos; we never copy a published pattern. The copyright in an original design stays with its designer, so we may decline a request to reproduce a named, copyrighted design — if so, your pattern page says so and nothing is charged.
What’s your refund policy?
Custom patterns are non-refundable: you see a free preview before you pay the $19.99, and the full PDF is digital content written to your order, so once it’s yours the sale is final. But if there’s a mistake in the pattern, tell us and we’ll fix it free of charge — or refund you if we can’t. The full details are in our Terms.