Hello,

My name is Emma Kate owner of TinkingDesigns. My two biggest passions are knitting and graphic design. If you are a knitter, like me you have certainly discovered that some patterns just work better than others. A designer can create a beautiful pattern, write it up clearly, and even have lovely photography, but if the visual presentation is problematic, the pattern may not function well for knitters. As part of my senior thesis project for my BA in graphic design (from Westfield State University), I surveyed and collected detailed, passionate feedback on what works and what doesn’t in knitting patterns. Based on this feedback and best practices, I am making a beginner’s guide to help designers who publish their own patterns improve their graphic design, and, in turn, their customers’ experience.  

I am not talking about project design, pattern writing, or tech editing. That is not my wheelhouse and there are excellent resources available on how to do this. (For example, Kate Atherley’s book, The Beginner’s Guide to Writing Knitting Patterns is excellent and Deborah Newton’s Designing Knitwear is a good introduction to design.) What is not readily available, is a guide to graphic design for knitting patterns to help you tink back patterns to make them work better for customers. The goal is for you to become the boss of your pattern’s graphic design, just as Elizabeth Zimmerman inspired us, and provided the tools, for us to become the boss of our knitting. 

I will be working through all aspects of knitting pattern graphic design, starting with the myriad of typography choices that designers face when creating a pattern.  

I am an adventurous knitter, who dove into lacework, rich textures, colorwork, and steeking almost from the start, emboldened by the support of my fabulous knitting group. I am also beginning to create my own knitting designs based on places and animals that I love. Some examples are a baby blanket inspired by Nobska Beach in Woods Hole, MA and, an orangutan hat. Designed to draw attention to the plight of this species, the hat is the first in what I hope is a series on endangered species.

If you are not up to doing your own tinking, I am available to help with your graphic design. Click down below to view my body of work.