For the time being, I am calling this pattern construction method the Neo-Norsk method. I took elements of three different styles: (1) Narrative, (2), the old Norwegian abbreviated table & column format that I grew up with, and (3) pictorial/schematic.
I built this example based on pattern instructions for the back only of the free Damenjacke, Modell 434/2 by Junghans-Wolle. Here are pictures of the original two-page pattern 434/2.
Below are my redraw of the schematic and the instructions I wrote for the back only, modernizing the old Norwegian pattern instruction writing method. On both, I incorporated instructions/drawings for all five sizes. You will note I put check marks in circles in the far left column. They mark the rows where I have added comments to help the less experienced knitter check that her work.
What do YOU think? (By the way, not everybody I’ve showed this to likes it! It’s a work in progress, and I appreciate input. 🙂 )
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Thank you – I am glad you are finding this series useful!
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Just great. Thank you for the wonderful post, you have helped me a lot to clarify my thoughts on patterns with the entire series of posts. “I like it a lot”!
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I put it down to the growth of the Nanny State. But also perhaps as people no longer handed down these skills from generations, those wanting to knit needed really detailed instructions. This all led to those mini-books we now call knitting patterns : )
Sorry, having a grumpy day. Birthday approaching!
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true
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I left it in metric as this was just an example or demonstration. 🙂
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Thank you. I remember those booklets! Now why did so something so handy and useful go out of style?!
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Thank you. It seems so much clearer than narrative to me too!
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And if people sew, they will recognize the piece that must be laid against the fold to get a mirror side!
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Thank you for your input! I am in the process of rewriting a couple of other patterns in this format – one for a friend who keeps getting lost in narrative.
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You have embarked on a brave and intriguing project. The brevity and clarity of the pattern is very appealing. The checking back feature is useful, as you say, particularly for a novice knitter. The format of the instructions would also work well for substituting alternative stitch patterns and other modifications. I am not convinced about the half schematic, but can’t articulate why yet.
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I love it too. It appeals to the minimalist in me. Also the “mirror image” idea should be very easy for most knitters to grasp because that concept is often used when doing a neck or shoulder line. 🙂
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I love it! So handy!
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I love it. Neat, simple and no unnecessary words. Reminds me also of those nifty little booklets which allow you to pick your sweater style and knit it for any size. Love it. Oh. Said that already!
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Q – My question is – are you leaving it in cm? As a person who worked in science related occupations for 40 years I definitely don’t mind. I just know the general US population’s meltdown over metric. I really like both charts. I’m a visual person and seeing the top chart gives me more flexibility on what I’d want the final dimensions to be.
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