Design and pattern development, written stitch by stitch.
We translate your tech pack 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 translate your tech pack or sketch into a written pattern, one per size, with no abbreviations, running to fifty pages or more for a single size against an industry norm of four to five. 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 gauge holds across the size curve
- No abbreviations, so every instruction is explicit
- Fifty pages or more for a single size, against an industry norm of four to five
- Artisans trained to read written patterns through literacy and maths tuition
What pattern development includes.
- Translation of your tech pack or sketch into a written pattern, one per size
- Patterns written with no abbreviations, so every instruction is explicit
- Fifty pages or more for a single size, against an industry norm of four to five
- 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.
Tech pack in
You send a tech pack 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 confirm the pattern holds gauge and produces the intended fabric before production.
Held as standard
The approved pattern becomes the standard the artisan knits from and the four-phase check measures against.
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
- Fifty pages or more for a single size, against an industry norm of four to five.
- Sizing
- A separate pattern is written for each size, so gauge holds across the size curve.
- Readability
- Written to be read by artisans trained in English literacy and basic maths through a seven-month paid apprenticeship.
- Quality control
- The written pattern is the standard against which every garment is checked before dispatch.
- Input
- We work from your tech pack 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.
[TESTIMONIAL REQUIRED]
A short quote from a designer at an approved named client, evidencing that a written pattern held gauge across sizes where a sketch had not. Subject to written permission.
What sourcing directors ask us.
Just a tech pack or sketch. Our pattern writers translate it into a written pattern, one per size, with no abbreviations.
A sketch leaves interpretation to the knitter and cannot hold 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.
Fifty pages or more for a single size, against an industry norm of four to five. Every instruction is written out in full, with no abbreviations.
Artisans are trained in English literacy and basic maths through a seven-month paid apprenticeship, so they can read written patterns independently.
Yes. A prototype swatch is knitted to confirm the pattern holds gauge and produces the intended fabric before production begins.
Send us your tech pack.
We will come back with feasibility, indicative costing and lead times for your hand-knit project.