How you can organize crochet patterns

Today we’re going to talk about how I organize crochet patterns, and how you can too. These techniques can also apply to any of your craft pattern hobbies — knitting, woodworking, beading, sewing, etc.

The two main ways I think about organizing crochet patterns is to either print-and-store, OR keeping an electronic copy of some sort. Sometimes I do a bit of both.

Print-and-store method to organize crochet patterns

Let’s start with the print-and-store method and cover a few ways of handling paper patterns.

Protection

You’ve gotta protect the paper patterns since paper can breakdown in various ways over time. If it gets wet or eaten by the dog, these ways can help avoid that.

Page Protectors. With these, you slide the printed pattern into it’s own page protector sleeve. Add any notes from the pattern, especially if you altered it in some way. Or note which size you made. Maybe you changed the hook size, or the beginning number of chains. Also include things like how many skeins of yarn you used, the type of yarn, and maybe even one of the wrappers which will give you all of the details. Lastly, remember to jot down who you made it for and the date.

Bonus Idea: I’ve also read about folks who laminate their patterns instead of using the page protectors. Then they use one of the storage ideas below.

Storage

Now that you have protection, here are a few ways I’ve stored mine over the years.

Binder. After you have slipped the patterns into their page protectors use a 3-ring binder to hold them. The size of the binder is up to you. Here are a few ideas for organizing each binder:

• by pattern type (ie. clothing, scarves & hats, blankets, etc). One binder for each
• by yarn weight (ie. baby weight, 4-weight, fingerling, heavyweight, etc.)
• by craft type (ie. knitting, crocheting, scrapbooking, etc.)
• by holiday season (ie. Christmas, Spring, Fall, etc)

Accordion File. Again, decide on your categories (see suggestions above) and then label each section of the accordion file. Simply drop your patterns in the appropriate file.

Paper organizer drawer unit. Check out the scrapbook aisle at your favorite craft store and find a drawer unit that stores paper. Label each drawer with your category and file away.

Bonus Idea: Use a filing cabinet or fire proof file box. Similar to the accordion file, place hanging files in a filing cabinet or box, label the files with your categories, and drop your patterns into the appropriate slot.

Electronic ways to organize crochet patterns

Now that we’ve spent some time on the paper patterns, let’s turn our attention to electronic versions. I have used, and continue to use the following electronic versions:

• Use the Cloud. Think OneDrive, Google Drive, etc.
• Use an online repository. Think Ravelry, Pinterest, etc.
• Take a picture of them and use a cloud app for photos. Think Google Photos

Bonus Idea: Another way you could store craft and crochet patterns is to use a USB drive or flash drive

My hybrid approach

Like me, some folks have done a combination of print-and-store as well as electronic versions. Some people even intentionally do both so if something ever happens to the paper copy there is always a digital backup.

The idea phase

My method is a combination of old school and modern. For the idea phase of my crochet projects, I tend to use my Pinterest boards, my Ravelry account, and downloads or pics to either my phone or computer.  Sometimes I’ll take a screenshot or photo and save it in my pics. Facebook also provides a feature to save it to a board.  

The creation phase

Once I’m in the creation phase of a project, I tend to either write it out (if it’s a video instruction) or print it out, make notes, and use the page protectors and binder.  One day, I should probably digitize these in some way.

In my binder, I’ll slip in some of the notes and details about the pattern that apply and a yarn label. I’ll note how much yarn of a certain type that I used. And I usually try to include the date(s) of when I completed the item(s) and the finished dimensions.

My other crafting patterns

For my general crafting ideas, think torn out magazine pages I use for inspiration, I have those stored in a 3-drawer paper storage unit. I have them organized by craft type (papercrafting, holidays, etc)

Eventually I’d like to have electronic copies, probably by taking photos and storing them in the cloud. That way, when I’m in a craft store and see fabric on sale and have the “perfect pattern in mind” for it, I can look up how much I need.

Final Thoughts on how you can organize crochet patterns

I do love having all of the crochet projects I’ve used in just a few places. For finished projects, I can simply pick up my binder and flip through all the tried and true patterns I’ve used and keep coming back to.

What is your favorite way to store craft patterns? Leave your note in the comments below!

Related Articles

Did you like today’s post about how to organize crochet patterns? If so, check out a few of my other craft organizing articles:

• Organizing Yarn
• Organizing Scrapbook Supplies
• Using craft organization in other areas of your life (like backpacking!)

Did you know I also have a series that features new projects I try out from other crafty designers? If you are interested in learning more about my New Project Spotlight series read my New Project Spotlight series welcome article.

I’m always looking for new projects to feature. What is a new project you’ve tried and liked? Would it be a good one to shine the light on in my New Project Spotlight series? Are you an awesome crochet artist with a design you’d like to see featured here? If so, leave me a note in the comments.

In addition to several of my crochet boards on Pinterest, you might also check out my Made It, Did It, Tried It board, chuck full of a random assortment of projects, places, recipes and more that I’ve tried and liked.