Design and pattern development, written stitch by stitch.
We develop your garment from an image or sketch into a written pattern, one per size, with no abbreviations, running to fifty pages or more for a single size.
A sketch is not a pattern an artisan can knit from.
Most hand-knitting operations work from sketches, which leaves the interpretation to the knitter and the quality to chance. A sketch cannot hold gauge across sizes, and it cannot be checked against a standard before the yarn is on the needle.
KOCO writes patterns instead. Our pattern writers develop your image or sketch into a written pattern, one per size, with no abbreviations, often running to 50 pages or more for each size. In conventional hand-knit production, individual knitters are generally not given written patterns. The artisan knits from the written pattern, which is the basis of our quality control and, we believe, unique among hand-knitting operations.
- Written patterns, not sketches, so interpretation is not left to the knitter
- One pattern per size, so that tension/gauge holds across all the sizes
- No abbreviations, so every instruction is explicit
- Often running to 50 pages or more for each size
- Artisans trained to read written patterns through literacy and maths tuition
What pattern development includes.
- Development of your image or sketch into a written pattern, one per size
- Patterns written with no abbreviations, so every instruction is explicit
- Often running to 50 pages or more for each size
- Patterns written to be read by artisans trained in literacy and basic maths
- A prototype swatch knitted to confirm the pattern holds gauge before production
- The pattern held as the standard against which every garment is checked
How a design becomes a written pattern.
Image or sketch in
You send an image or sketch. Our pattern writers read it against stitch construction, sizing and yarn behaviour.
Pattern written
We write a pattern for each size, with no abbreviations, running to fifty pages or more for a single size.
Swatch to confirm
A prototype swatch is knitted to check the pattern holds tension/gauge and produces the intended fabric before production.
Held as standard
The approved pattern becomes the standard the artisan knits from, and we check 39 measurements on every finished garment before sending it to the customer.
How the pattern is specified.
- Pattern format
- Written, not a sketch. One pattern per size.
- Abbreviations
- None. Every instruction is written out in full.
- Length
- Often running to 50 pages or more for each size.
- Sizing
- A separate pattern is written for each size, so that tension/gauge holds across all the sizes.
- Readability
- Written to be read by artisans trained in English literacy and basic maths.
- Quality control
- The written pattern is the standard against which every garment is checked before dispatch.
- Input
- We work from your image or sketch. You do not need to supply a knitting pattern.
Related production.
Runway showpieces featuring custom long-fringe hand-knits, knitted stitch by stitch.
Distinctive runway hand-knits featuring custom yarn treatments and precise detailing.
Intricate Merino cable knit jumpers setting a global benchmark for hand-knit quality.
“KOCO proves that hand-knitted production at commercial standard is entirely achievable without compromise on lead times, finishing or ethical credentials.”
What sourcing directors ask us.
An image or sketch is all we need. Our pattern writers develop it into a written pattern, one per size, with no abbreviations. A formal tech pack is never required.
A sketch leaves interpretation to the knitter and cannot hold tension/gauge across sizes. A written pattern is explicit and is the standard against which every garment is checked. We believe KOCO is the only hand-knitting operation in the world that works this way.
KOCO provides every knitter with a detailed written pattern, often running to 50 pages or more for each size. In conventional hand-knit production, individual knitters are generally not given written patterns. Every instruction is written out in full, with no abbreviations.
Artisans are trained in English literacy and basic maths, so they can read written patterns independently.
Yes. A prototype swatch is knitted to check the pattern holds tension/gauge and produces the intended fabric before production begins.
Send us your sketch.
An image or sketch is all we need to start. We will come back with feasibility, indicative costing and lead times for your hand-knit project.