IST 605: Crochet: The Basics

Once you learn how to read patterns you may be wondering where you can find patterns. Below I’ve listed four websites to get patterns. I’ve included the cons and pros of each website, as well as search strategies.

Pros:

• Can visually follow along - this is great for beginners who are still learning.
• Some videos include written patterns as they create their project, and they can learn how to read patterns.
• Recommends similar videos.
• It's free!

Cons:

• YouTube does not have any advanced searching options to limit your results.
• Searches are dependent on including the right keywords.

Search Strategies:

• Since youtube does not offer any advanced search options, it’s important to search keywords. Identify what type of project you are looking for.
• Watch some of the video before you commit to the project. Is the audio and camera quality up to par? Can you understand what the creator is communicating? Do you like the end product?
• Use the recommended videos. If the video you selected isn’t exactly what you were looking for, try scrolling through the recommended videos.
• Check out and subscribe to channels. If you found a video you like, click on the channel profile, and they’ll probably have more videos like it.

Pros:

• Many search limiters
• Created to find fabric art resources - the pattern results include all the information you would need to know to start the project
• Can save patterns to your profile

Cons:

• The interface can take some time to learn
• Some patterns cost money

Search Strategies

• Go to the top of the page, hover over advanced search, and then select patterns. 
• To the right of the page are search limiters you can select to limit your results, such as the type of project, whether the pattern is free, or the colors of the pattern. Go through the limiters, selecting the ones that apply to you.
• Search for the type of project you're interested in using the search bar
• Once you select a pattern, you can view the pattern details, access the pattern, or save it to your library

Pros:

• The site is visually formatted - can scroll through many patterns
• Have the option to group your saved results
• Can see other people’s saved patterns
• Posts can lead you to useful websites

Cons:

• Results often lack important information about the projects, such as the size or price
• The patterns are not on the actual site - will have to follow links to other sites
• Some posts link to dead links

Search Strategies:

• Once you create an account, go to the homepage and search using keywords
• The site will prompt you with related filters
• Scroll through the page, when you find a post you like, select the visit site link.k
• Or save it to your profile.
• Another search option is to search keywords, selectthe filter on the left side, and select the boards
• This will bring you to other users’ saved posts. Someone might have already saved many posts about the same project you’re interested in!