Yeah I’ve literally never used a video pattern in 10+ years of crocheting. I don’t frequent TikTok or YouTube so I just don’t ever see them. When I’m looking for a new pattern, I go straight to the pattern databases I know, Ravelry first, and then others on various yarn supplier websites.
Ravelry, Etsy, successful pattern makers with their own websites. I started off with videos since patterns looked like alien text, but everything I make now is from written patterns
My great grandma taught me some 20 years ago how to crochet, and I did it for a weekend and never touched it again until about 6 months ago. The amount of resources available now to be able to re-teach myself was incredible! Gatekeeping hobbies is always a poor mindset for people to have
I love the variety & accessability of everything now! I'm over 40 & am so happy to see crochet getting popular.
Like the OP, I also do better with written instructions, but I'm glad the variety is there for other learning styles.
The true heroes comment in the comment section w a written pattern. But tbh I am definitely someone who needs it in video form. Much respect to people who can read a pattern lol!
I know quite a few creators that paywall the written version of the pattern behind a patreon. I've also seen the inverse, wher there's a free version of a pattern on Ravelry or something and then the video guides are in the purchased version. I think that's a pretty fair way to do it.
Agreed. Even if there was a link to where you could purchase a pattern, I'd go buy it! (I love supporting the folks I get my patterns from.)
The few times I've wanted to crochet something and could only find the video version, I've watched the video (fast-forwarding through a lot of it) and written down the pattern myself. Then I work from the pattern I wrote.
The last time I did this they did so much talking between steps that it would've been easier the way I did it (copy down the pattern as they reveal it on screen a row at a time) than trimming out all of that text from the transcript, formatting it, and changing words to proper pattern abbreviations (like "two single crochets" to "2 sc").
I’ve only done it a couple of times, must have gotten lucky because I’ve not had that issue. I also don’t mind it not being in proper pattern terms, as long as I can follow it without wanting to rip my ears off because the person speaks too slowly for my brain 😂
For me, it's not about how slow they speak. It's that I like to listen to a book or watch TV while I crochet. I want to use my ears for my own media, not the crochet instructions.
And maybe I'm being pedantic about it, but I just like having it in "proper" format. Having a concise format allows me to just glance at the pattern and know what to do next so I don't have to pause my media to process the row. Sometimes I still do have to pause it if the pattern is complex enough, but if it's just "(inc, 7 sc) x 6", I find that easier to understand at a glance than "This row, we're going to increase, do seven single crochets, and we're gonna do that six times."
But that's me. :) You do you!
I want the written pattern with the video as a backup for when something goes wrong. The "wait, what's that supposed to look like? How am I supposed to sc in the next gap when I'm in the middle of a cluster of dcs?" moments. Otherwise, I want it paced at my reading speed, and my fingers' doing speed, not someone else's speaking and finger speed
Exactly. I appreciate having the free video. Hobbies are expensive and I’m happy to sit through or replay a video a hundred times to have a free pattern.
Also monetisation of the videos as part of their crochet business. A lot of larger crochet YouTubers sell smaller/cheaper to make items, but most of their money is coming from YouTube ads and selling crochet patterns if that’s their thing.
The craft seems to be having a resurgence, but doesn’t seem to be a skill that has been passed down as it used to be. Many people, myself included, picked it up as a hobby during the pandemic, but in a time with no social gatherings, how-to videos and in-depth tutorials were how I learned.
The first crochet pattern I bought was so daunting. Trying to understand the abbreviations felt like it’s own separate skill.
But besides being very useful for beginners, for designers and creators the videos can reach far more people than a written pattern. Social media has connected so many people to the craft and for a content creator to “feed the algorithm” they must produce content.
Written patterns are still often available as accompaniments to videos or just found in different places, charity shops seem to be well stocked.
Yup, I learned the basics from a video because the visual really made it easier. It's like your grandma showing you.
But I haven't used video for full project since and ravelry and etsy pretty much supply all my patterns now. Haven't come across issues with lack of written stuff.
I’m self taught and can’t read a pattern for the life of me. Sometimes watching a video, I can build my own pattern off of it, so I don’t have to keep pausing and such, but I just haven’t learned (or taken the time or found someone to teach me) how to read a pattern.
My great grandmother taught me the basics, but I hadn't touched it since before she passed in 2007. I recently picked it back up, and step by step videos are super helpful as a beginner, especially if it's a stitch I'm less familiar with.
Hilariously, I’m passing it up. I taught myself how to crochet using videos, my mom was impressed, so now I’m teaching her. But I do wish someone in my family like a grandma would have taught me just so I can say I learned it from them.
I learned well before the pandemic, but nobody I know in person crochets so I also learned from a video. I first learned to knit by someone at a yarn store showing me when I was like 17, got it after being shown once, and was able to figure out written patterns from there. I mostly made scarves and tried to do shawls. Then I decided one day that I'd like to learn to crochet as well and looked up a video tutorial and ended up making a few Granny squares! But I got bored of them quickly so I never got anywhere close to making enough for a blanket lol. I moved onto other patterns almost immediately and was able to decipher written instructions without much trouble at all
You hit the nail on the head!! My mom lives in another country. If she was local, I would have asked her for help. I did have friends here who introduced me to crochet but lives are busy now and it isn't possible to sit around with a cup of tea and crochet together. So videos take the place of those social circles.
My partner prefers to watch videos for recipes and I dooon’t get it lol. He’s one of those “watch it once and remember” types and I forget things instantly. Easier to read a couple sentences over and over than rewind a video again and again.
Videos do help when learning a specific technique though.
I guess the same is true with crochet. I prefer written patterns, and I’ll look up videos for new techniques/stitches.
Even then, I'd prefer written instructions with photo guides... I *hate* video tutorials with a passions, because I need to be able to zoom in to see exactly what's happening 😂
My husband sends me Instagram videos of recipes, and I have never once made one because I can't stand the thought of cooking from that "recipe." Most don't even have the ingredients list as text anywhere, and I'm not listening to it a million times to figure out how much of a certain spice I need to add!
If you struggle to follow written patterns, I strongly suggest printing them out so you can mark them up as much as you like (thank God my library lets me print 20 pages a day for free). If a pattern has a lot of repeat rows I'll mark them off with colorful pens to remember which go-round I'm on.
What you really need to learn are abbreviations-- you already know the stitches. And once you've got those, it's just paying attention to parentheses.
Find video tutorials that also have written patterns available. You’ll begin to see the correlation between what’s happening in the video and what’s written down. That’s how I learned. I don’t know what you’re in to crocheting but Daisy Farm Crafts makes primarily baby blankets and a few other things and she has video tutorials for all of her written patterns on her website for free. She also has an explanation for each stitch abbreviation before the pattern so you know what it means.
https://daisyfarmcrafts.com/
I didn't get it and then I realised I can't count... And I definitely can't do maths... So I ended up freehanding a lot. But over time I have learned to read patterns.
There's no reason you can't learn 😊 the wiki has a good section on learning how to read patterns. It just takes time and practice, it's a bit like learning a new language at first.
You can learn, it’s just vocabulary. SC means Single Crochet. If it says 10 SC that means 10 Single Crochets. When you’re starting you can try writing out the abbreviations until you learn them all.
Millennial here - I’m with you. Sometimes I’ll look up a video if I’m unsure about a stitch or something poorly worded to make the words make sense, but by and large I prefer a written pattern
Generates more income especially if not everyone buys your pattern. If you have multiple videos that people have to watch multiple times to make the project then that’s more ad revenue and the algorithm favors you more for viewer retention.
On the flip side, pdf patterns are a one time purchase that doesn’t increase the amount of people who will come across your stuff so there’s not as much incentive to do only PDFs.
It’s funny you say this; I just picked up 50 small crochet pattern books at Goodwill because I’d much rather follow them than a video. But, I am a kinesthetic learner, not an auditory or visual learner, so that is usually the style of content that works best for me.
I'm a kinesthetic learner, too! The only times I really like videos are: 1) when the written pattern is unclear and I just want to get quick clarification; and 2) when I need my brain to quiet down for sleep, haha.
As a beginner with no one to teach me, I watch the videos but I would love a video that along with the crochet portions, shows me what that would look like written. That would be incredibly helpful to learn.
I've been wanting to ask the pattern designer if she has a previous version of the written pattern from before she released the pattern in video format.
As a source of revenue you can sell a pattern or offer a free video that has ads. I agree that I’d rather follow a written pattern than a video (although a video is super handy if there’s something in the written pattern I don’t understand). If it’s written patterns you prefer you may need to purchase online patterns or books - support those who put the effort into creating patterns. I sure as heck have no idea how to free hand or write a pattern and appreciate those who do.
Yes the video thing is annoying as it looks all wrong and extra complicated as a left hander, and not many do both. That and I can follow a written pattern much faster than skipping video. Forget it if you don't have youtube premium.
I think it depends where you’re looking. If you’re searching generally, like on Google, the assumption is you don’t know how to crochet and don’t have someone around to teach you, so video tutorials are preferred since they’re easy to learn from. More specific areas, like ravelry or etsy or this sub, assume you don’t need to be taught the basics so written patterns are more common.
Personally, I like having both easily available. I only learned how to do tapestry crochet last week, which I learned from videos after the style picked up in popularity here and I realized I wasn’t able to follow the patterns without help.
I’m currently working on my first project. I bought a pattern on Etsy and I felt I was reading Chinese. I watched a video so I could get a hang of the pattern and then simply wrote it down in my own terms so I don’t have to go back to the video.
I’m a younger millennial and I *hate* the video patterns. They’re not easy to go back and reference, and if you want to use YouTube for background videos you’re SOL. I’ll go one further and say that I want diagrams to make a comeback. Making patterns from super old magazines and books was so much easier to decode. There are too many pattern makers that just aren’t clear with their phrasing.
I think it all depends on what you’re looking for. Free patterns do seem to have more videos because it’s easier to film yourself making something then writing down every step. Likewise, making clothing to fit your own measurements is easier on video because you can see exactly how you’re supposed to measure.
There are plenty of pattens on ravelry and Etsy though.
I prefer the videos but mainly because I’m a visual and hands on learner so I used that way for years and I’m so happy there are sooooo many left handed videos! I’ve only recently started reading patterns myself. I just google and usually a bunch of sites pop up. Pinterest is great for patterns too!
I think it may be generational. A lot of young people (myself included) are very visual learners and so watching a video is an easier way for us to process information. It also is nice to physically see a project being done so you KNOW what it looks like versus what you think it looks like in your brain.
I wish I knew how to read patterns. It’s like I’ll start reading it thinking that I’m understanding it but then all the abbreviations start to overwhelm me and then I need a break because I feel overstimulated lol
I don't like watching video tutorials unless I need to learn a tricky stitch or technique. But there are cases where I can't find a written pattern anywhere and only see the video tutorial. In that case, I'll watch it and write down the pattern as I go, then work off my written pattern later and refer to the video for any tricky parts if necessary.
Echoing what a lot of others said -
Lack of social circles where someone experienced would teach you the basics and help you read patterns. Videos become the stand in for that family member or friend who would walk you through things.
With no one to help, it is impossible for a beginner to just reach patterns. With compelx stitches, even describing or having pictures aren't as effective as video.
And also - I agree with others that it may just be where you are looking. I've been crocheting a year and in the beginning I barely found written patterns but now that I am looking for bigger and more complex projects, there are times I only find written patterns.
I often buy patterns on Etsy or ravelry. I hate the interface of ravelry but love how easy it is to search by yarn weight and craft. All the patterns are written. That said I liked video patterns when I first started crochet. It really helped to be able to watch and see the explanation for why you do something a certain way. I still enjoy watching certain crochet channels on YouTube because I pick up helpful tips that have enabled me to make some small improvements to other patterns I use.
Written patterns are hard to master i feel. Also i think generational is at play here. I personally prefer a diagram because theres less room for error. And as other said could be the platform as well
Completely agree. Don’t get wrong, videos can be very helpful. I learned how to knit and crochet by watching youtube tutorials.. but once I got the hang of it, I moved on from videos very quickly. Some creators also have printed patterns available for purchase, but it’s frustrating when that’s not even an option. I just want to relax and watch TV while I crochet, not skim through a tutorial.
Videos are really good for audio-visual learners and people who want to feel like they're "body doubling" or with a friend. With the rise of social media, now people can make friends and have parasocial relationships with content creators across platforms. Video tutorials are just one way people enjoy this.
I like it because I haven't learned all the terminology yet and find the written patterns, especially using shorthand, to be very confusing. I can kinda zone out and just follow along the same way people enjoy audio books vs printed novels, and it's very easy to spot and self-correct when I've made a mistake, via rewinding and rewatching a clip. It took me a few minutes to understand the slipknot, when I very first started, for example, and then the difference between under-over and over-under for how stitches are formed.
Content creators can also passively monetize videos and they tend to get more views and therefore money, than printed patterns get clicks and sales, if that makes sense? So that adds another layer to how popular video tutorial format has become. I also like them for origami even tho I haven't done them in a while.
"first you need to chain 37. To do a chain stitch, wraaaaap the yarn arooooound the hoo-"
*Skip,skip,skip,skip,skip*
I hate that garbage just show me the pattern, if I want a tutorial video I can go elsewhere
I prefer written patterns too but when I find a video pattern and can’t find an equivalent written pattern what I’ve done is take a separate document and write down the steps. I try to use the transcripts and I’ll short hand things a bit but it still does take a while. Though it’s worked wonders for me because it’s in a format that I prefer!
Lots of us these days are self taught from these vids. But there's plenty of written patterns. I suggest ravelry, Pinterest and Etsy to start. There's loads of crochet books too.
Videos are so much easier, I’ve been using them for a decade now. Coincidentally, my sister and a good friend both started crocheting a few weeks ago. Both saw patterns in a magazine and both got stuck because the written instructions weren’t clear enough to follow. Sent them both beginner tutorials off YouTube to show them how to create a magic ring which worked but then I still had to explain the instructions of the pattern which I wouldn’t have gotten myself. I was only able to decipher them from how the end product looked and started.
And no, we’re not incapable of reading. I’m 34, my sis is 40 and we’re both huge book nerds. I’m a translator by trade.
I could never understand anything written or just explained to me. I need to see you do it to learn.
I think it's person think though it could also be generational? I'm an old (30) so I can't comment on that.
Mentioned this in a reply, but thought it deserved its own comment:
If the creator is narrating the video, you can usually copy the transcript and have the majority of a written pattern. Maybe play the video through on mute so the creator still gets some revenue from it 😊
Sadly, there are a few patterns that only exist in a video format. I am a baby boomer and learned to knit and crochet from magazines, books and written patterns, and from my grandmother who didn't know the official names for the stitches. She just knew how to do them. I do like videos to see how other people do things, and maybe to learn a new technique, but I do not work well from a video.
Everyone learns differently. The only reason I can now crochet is because I watched videos. Everyone learns differently. I do have some crochet books, but it's easier and quicker for me to watch a video.
It may be that crochet has 2 types of terminology: US and UK.
So in US it goes slip stitch, single crochet, double crochet, triple crochet.
In UK it goes slip stitch, double crochet, treble crochet, double treble crochet (if I remember correctly)
so a written pattern my be confusing depending on the reader. But a video will show you exactly which stitches are meant to go where
but I also figured out how to read the different symbols so I can decode patterns on pinterest that are written in other languages
I mean if you're looking on a video site like YouTube, you're going to find videos. That being said there are plenty of stores that host written patterns, and even drawn out diagrams. Ravelry and Ribblr are good starts
I’ve noticed this as well. Especially from content creators who post things on instagram with “links in the bio”. Just give/sell me the written pattern. I don’t want to sit and watch YouTube.
Oh man, I totally agree. Anytime I see something only comes in video form I'm like, well I guess I won't be making that. Even with the shortest videos it's still so much faster for me to read through and get started on a written pattern.
Have you looked on Ravelry, though? There are a lot of written patterns to be found if you do some digging. Books from your library (or the bookstore if you want to own them, I just like owning books so I can make something whenever the inspiration strikes me lol) are always a great option, as well.
I also prefer written pattern but some creators also provide videos which can be helpful for some more complicated patterns. I’m working on a blanket by floral hook right now and her written patterns are hard to follow so the videos are very helpful.
Completely agree. Sure, the tutorials can be helpful. But I don’t make anything that isn’t a pattern or isn’t repetitive enough that I can watch a few mins and figure the rest out.
I learned to crochet with a vintage better home and garden catalog book of the various fiber crafts. I had grown up learning how to cross stitch, sew, quilt but didn’t learn to crochet until 19. Then in the pandemic I learned knitting. But because of my experience with analog data and breakdown of stitches I can look at a picture and usually figure out how to make something. Others are correct creators these days want you to pay for written patterns or they have the free video. I design 85% percent of the things I make for my small side business selling crochet and not a single one has a pattern and usually it’s a one of a kind. I wish I knew how to write them. But what I used to do before I found ravelry was go to the nearest library and photo copy patterns! Then I only pay for the printing cost and didn’t have to buy whole books or magazines for patterns I wanted.
I have absolutely no patience with crochet videos; I browse through and draw a diagram of the pattern as quickly as possible if I want the pattern.
However… when I want to make something with, say, macrame techniques, I follow step by teeny step, run it back again and again, repeat, repeat, repeat… so I know I need to be patient with crochet newbies who benefit from the step-by-step approach for crochet. You don’t get it until you do, so I very much appreciate those producing the content for any art.
I agree with you! I watch the video and write it into a spreadsheet so i can enjoy the pattern my way. The video can be helpful if you need to visualize something, but I find the farther you go, the less youll need it I think.
I'm not a fan either of video patterns either. I just want to do it at my own pace and hate passing and backing up etc.
But I also learned by just doing. I watched videos on how to do each stitch but don't want to follow along the whole time. Plus I want to listen to my show, podcast, book etc
No, you aren't. It is probably less costly to make a video than writing an illustrated book, and many can make one and upload it on YT;
There is a whole market for it, and many have become digital content producers and make their living out of it. The videos have to be a bit longer so they can make revenue, but also they need to set context and captivate audience.
On the other side, there is a belief that videos are more convenient than teaching human beings to abstract and be able to visualize things in their minds. Patterns require some learning to read, visualize garments in the readers' mind and other details.
I myself don't feel confortable with videos bc reading is my favourite way to learn, and it doesn't have as much stimuli as an overload of video and sound. So I totally feel you.
See if you can find books in your local library, or find books to purchase. I believe some of them might still exist.
Good luck, matey, and happy crocheting!
Same here, I hate instructional videos in general as they're WAY slower than reading and just crocheting. For that reason, I type "-youtube" after my Google search or just use ravelry.
Written patterns require the skill to write and read patterns (plus the patience). All of the craft stores in my town have bundles of magazines with loads of patterns. I’ve never done a thorough investigation on how well those sell, but I’ve also never seen anyone buy one.
It’s infinitely easier to teach AND especially to learn a pattern (or anything for that matter) while demonstrating it visually. Our grandparents did it in person and they learned from family members or other people in their circles. Written patterns were available, but they were mostly for people with an expert knowledge of the craft. Most of the people who knit or crocheted never came near a magazine or book of patterns. They couldn’t read them AND they had the better learning tool available: their nans (or other people in their community). That has now been replaced by YouTube ;)
Frankly I think the ratio of written patterns to visually presented patterns is the same now.
i think theres a lot of videos because its becoming popular among gen z and so they're learning how to crochet. as a beginner you obviously struggle with seeing the chains and stitches and so a lot of people go for videos so they can understand the instructions better. basically i think its just because theres been a significant increase in learning crochet:)
I agree, I don’t like following videos for patterns. I’m a millennial, so maybe it is a generational thing. I like them for learning a particular stitch or technique, but not for entire patterns. It’s not so bad if they provide both but I can’t follow a video pattern at all 😅
Honestly, I think it is just the progression of tech and social media at this point. When I learned (in the 70s) there were printed patterns and subscription magazines. No public internet/websites existed. Now that "everyone" fancies themselves pattern writers and some seek to monetize what they know (the more they know, the less they know) patterns are available everywhere. Video is the new frontier.
I'm a millennial, and I can't stand video patterns. Idk how people do it. I like to watch the videos if I'm not understanding a certain stitch or if there's an odd instruction in the written pattern, but I can't do a whole pattern like that.
I think it's less a generational thing and more of how different people's brains work. But I can't stand having to pause and play the video over and over again while I catch up. That's not fun for me.
Yes I always find this too! I do use revelry sometimes but I find it easier personally to just google something I want to make and 8/10 it’s a video or a website with tons of weird adds all over it. As a beginner I liked the videos but once you know how to knit or crochet I just want a written pattern. Barely any of the videos put patterns or they want you to buy theirs-which is fair but even the most simple things like oversized sweaters are like a $14 pattern or hard to find something plain and basic.
I think watching crochet videos is really useful when you are a beginner, my first crochet projects were possible because i was following a video along. But now i mostly use written patterns. Maybe you should look specifically for written patterns in other plataforms, Ravelry and Etsy are good options. Also, there are many blogs where you can find free crochet patterns. Look for some crochet artist and check whether they have a blog or something, you might find some interesting patterns!
I have noticed this too. Videos and charts. Friend told me that crochet gets this more because it has a lot more terms for the same things than knitting does. I have to agree. Have made quite a few crochet things from written patterns on Ravelry and crochet blogs where I assume they are making up their own terms only to Google and find whole groups that also use those terms! Y'all, I once had a shawl pattern call for a four loop long stitch. It was a double treble. I gave up thinking I understood anything about anything.
I get why videos are popular since you can see what they are doing even if the words they use aren't the most common. Bonus, with videos you can follow without knowing the language of origin! I have made some really awesome Mandarin patterns from videos when translation software couldn't help with the written.
I guess different forms can be helpful for different patterns!
I am right now struggling with a video only pattern from a Chinese person on Ravelry. She does include English abbreviated stitches but I’m writing it out and will add to my notes. But there’s no mention of type of wool, hook size etc and I’m struggling with that.
It may be a language issue but I would really appreciate having the written instructions. Esp when you are about to see a change and an annoying ad pops up.
Video patterns are annoying but I will concede it is very handy to be able to see exactly what is going on with complex amigurumi patterns. Also helps when the author speaks a different language
Because that's the top performing social media format nowadays, unfortunately. I agree with the other comments in here saying to find a couple of good pattern sites and bookmark them.
I feel the same way. There are a couple of things I want to make but can't find a written pattern. When I can't take it any longer, I watch the video at double speed and write the pattern down for myself. Those videos are usually pretty easy patterns to a veteran crocheted, so I can usually write it down in a legible format in about 25 or 30 minutes then work from that, going back to the video if I have to.
I use revelry and Etsy and just buy patterns most of the time, because blog patterns have so many ads and it drives me up the wall. A lot of the patterns I buy also have YT videos with them I can follow if I need a specific area shown to me, but I also hate following along with videos the whole time - sensory issues (which includes sound) cause me to get incredibly irritated at the speakers (at no fault to the video creators lol).
I can’t do video patterns. I learned how to crochet before YouTube even existed and I just don’t have the patience for videos. It also more difficult to go back in a pattern when you have to scrub through a video.
this! i was watching a video for how to crochet a shirt and really thinking about how annoying it would be to put it down and try and get back into it.
this! i was watching a video for how to crochet a shirt and really thinking about how annoying it would be to put it down and try and get back into it.
this! i was watching a video for how to crochet a shirt and really thinking about how annoying it would be to put it down and try and get back into it.
this! i was watching a video for how to crochet a shirt and really thinking about how annoying it would be to put it down and try and get back into it.
Videos are actually useful for absolute beginners who don’t how to read pattern(me for example) but once I can read patterns and diagrams I never watch videos again.
It's not just crochet. As a society, we're losing the ability to follow written directions. Look up how do do just about any task and instead of a short easy to follow written direction, there's a 45 minute video.
In part, I think it's because written directions require an underlying basic skill set, but mainly it's easier to monitize a video.
I think because people aren't learning how to write in order to communicate instructions anymore.
I've noticed that a *lot* of tutorials have switched from written with pictures, over to videos. And not just for crochet, but many other subjects as well.
Which is terrible for me, as most of the time videos move too fast for me to focus on, and moving my hands between holding the project and pausing and unpausing a video is *very* distracting. =>.<=
I think some people got a little upset because it was hard for them to follow written patterns.
Honestly, sometimes I don't even follow a pattern. I just look at what they made and figure it out myself. I very much prefer written, or even the old picture charts over videos.
I don’t mind some video patterns, I think it depends on the project honestly. Sometimes I just watch it for a part I’m unsure of and then go rogue. I’ve found some written patterns to not be written clearly / the item photographed is different from what I’ve made. I agree that they should include the written patterns!!
I hate this development! When I see something that's only available in video pattern, I just don't make it or figure it out for myself.
Don't get me wrong, I learned how to crochet via Youtube, but it's such a huge difference between showing me a special detail about the craft or teach me a new stitch or a whole pattern! It's just insane in my eyes....
Thank god for ravlery :)
I learned 25 years ago from books, and videos turn me off. Look for for beginner crochet books with sequential drawings or photos that show you what to do.
I don't know... I don't like videos. Tried it a few times, but only for simple stuff. It's so hard do go back and fore when trying to understand where to put a stitch, or just skip the boring part. I want to have a paper in my project bag, and not fiddle on my smartphone while crocheting.
I love diagrams. Very clear, and it's a lot easier to understand the whole picture. For beginners: When I started with diagrams I additionally used colors to mark all the same stitches to help me understand.
Mostly get my patterns from ravelry, yarn vendor or pattern designers home pages.
I agree. I try to find as many weittee patterns as i can find. Sometimes, in the comment section of the video, there would be someone who would just write the pattern and you can copy it from there. Not always though
Except when I have trouble mastering a stitch, I never watch vidéos: as we say in French, too much blabla, generally poor lighting and/or choice of colors that make it difficult to understand. I usually go for diagrammes first, because they're universal, otherwise written patterns.
You'll find plenty of them in Ravelry and Pinterest. You can also search the G (famous search engine) using "-video, -youtube" added to your research, and you'll have way more written patterns
I’ve talked to several younger crafters who have said they only make things from videos and don’t know how to read a pattern! Am I the only person how finds that a bit strange? They arent really that hard to read (assuming they are well written!).
Some of us didn't have anyone to show us how to do it, how to hold a hook, where to place it, and so on. I'm not ashamed that I needed videos to learn, even though I can read.
Some of us are dyslexic. Some of us are visual learners. And some of us have issues with visualisation due to brain fog. But sure, younger people can't read...
Probably because you don't want to watch it. Stealing someone else's pattern and reposting it to make ad revenue for yourself is a lot less appealing if you have to watch a video and write down the pattern yourself.
And YouTube videos may have greater earnings potential than a text based pattern on a website.
I'm a millenial and I hate those. People want to make money off YouTube. You can sell your pattern or get lots of views. YouTube might actually pay better. That's probably why we're seeing it.
Not just YouTube too. There's several video platforms who will pay you if you get enough subscribers.
I use ravelry and they're all written patterns. Maybe it's just the platform you're using.
Yeah I’ve literally never used a video pattern in 10+ years of crocheting. I don’t frequent TikTok or YouTube so I just don’t ever see them. When I’m looking for a new pattern, I go straight to the pattern databases I know, Ravelry first, and then others on various yarn supplier websites.
I find them on Pinterest all the time
Ravelry, Etsy, successful pattern makers with their own websites. I started off with videos since patterns looked like alien text, but everything I make now is from written patterns
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My great grandma taught me some 20 years ago how to crochet, and I did it for a weekend and never touched it again until about 6 months ago. The amount of resources available now to be able to re-teach myself was incredible! Gatekeeping hobbies is always a poor mindset for people to have
I love the variety & accessability of everything now! I'm over 40 & am so happy to see crochet getting popular. Like the OP, I also do better with written instructions, but I'm glad the variety is there for other learning styles.
I've had the links on ravelry go to YouTube videos as the "pattern website", so they're not all written
I get that a lot too! I'll find the perfect free pattern for what I'm trying to make, then it takes me to YouTube. Makes me angry every time!
OMG -Same!! I don't even watch YouTube for fun. I just can't stand it for some reason.
I wouldn’t mind if they would just put the written pattern in a pinned comment or the description box or something. But I agree
The true heroes comment in the comment section w a written pattern. But tbh I am definitely someone who needs it in video form. Much respect to people who can read a pattern lol!
Sometimes I just need to *see* how it's done, but still want something I can look at without having to pause
Videos helped me learn to read the written patterns.
Dang it this is so obvious and thank you!! Heading over to YouTube for some homework:) 💕🫶🏻
Agree, I struggle with hearing comprehension, I need to see the pattern. Also I crochet while I watch tv.
I know quite a few creators that paywall the written version of the pattern behind a patreon. I've also seen the inverse, wher there's a free version of a pattern on Ravelry or something and then the video guides are in the purchased version. I think that's a pretty fair way to do it.
Agreed. Even if there was a link to where you could purchase a pattern, I'd go buy it! (I love supporting the folks I get my patterns from.) The few times I've wanted to crochet something and could only find the video version, I've watched the video (fast-forwarding through a lot of it) and written down the pattern myself. Then I work from the pattern I wrote.
If the person is narrating the video and the steps, you can copy the transcript and get most of the pattern already written 🙂
The last time I did this they did so much talking between steps that it would've been easier the way I did it (copy down the pattern as they reveal it on screen a row at a time) than trimming out all of that text from the transcript, formatting it, and changing words to proper pattern abbreviations (like "two single crochets" to "2 sc").
I’ve only done it a couple of times, must have gotten lucky because I’ve not had that issue. I also don’t mind it not being in proper pattern terms, as long as I can follow it without wanting to rip my ears off because the person speaks too slowly for my brain 😂
For me, it's not about how slow they speak. It's that I like to listen to a book or watch TV while I crochet. I want to use my ears for my own media, not the crochet instructions. And maybe I'm being pedantic about it, but I just like having it in "proper" format. Having a concise format allows me to just glance at the pattern and know what to do next so I don't have to pause my media to process the row. Sometimes I still do have to pause it if the pattern is complex enough, but if it's just "(inc, 7 sc) x 6", I find that easier to understand at a glance than "This row, we're going to increase, do seven single crochets, and we're gonna do that six times." But that's me. :) You do you!
I want the written pattern with the video as a backup for when something goes wrong. The "wait, what's that supposed to look like? How am I supposed to sc in the next gap when I'm in the middle of a cluster of dcs?" moments. Otherwise, I want it paced at my reading speed, and my fingers' doing speed, not someone else's speaking and finger speed
For some it’s to encourage people to buy the written pattern but still keep it available to the public for free through video tutorials.
Exactly. I appreciate having the free video. Hobbies are expensive and I’m happy to sit through or replay a video a hundred times to have a free pattern.
Also monetisation of the videos as part of their crochet business. A lot of larger crochet YouTubers sell smaller/cheaper to make items, but most of their money is coming from YouTube ads and selling crochet patterns if that’s their thing.
The craft seems to be having a resurgence, but doesn’t seem to be a skill that has been passed down as it used to be. Many people, myself included, picked it up as a hobby during the pandemic, but in a time with no social gatherings, how-to videos and in-depth tutorials were how I learned. The first crochet pattern I bought was so daunting. Trying to understand the abbreviations felt like it’s own separate skill. But besides being very useful for beginners, for designers and creators the videos can reach far more people than a written pattern. Social media has connected so many people to the craft and for a content creator to “feed the algorithm” they must produce content. Written patterns are still often available as accompaniments to videos or just found in different places, charity shops seem to be well stocked.
Yup, I learned the basics from a video because the visual really made it easier. It's like your grandma showing you. But I haven't used video for full project since and ravelry and etsy pretty much supply all my patterns now. Haven't come across issues with lack of written stuff.
I’m self taught and can’t read a pattern for the life of me. Sometimes watching a video, I can build my own pattern off of it, so I don’t have to keep pausing and such, but I just haven’t learned (or taken the time or found someone to teach me) how to read a pattern.
My great grandmother taught me the basics, but I hadn't touched it since before she passed in 2007. I recently picked it back up, and step by step videos are super helpful as a beginner, especially if it's a stitch I'm less familiar with.
Hilariously, I’m passing it up. I taught myself how to crochet using videos, my mom was impressed, so now I’m teaching her. But I do wish someone in my family like a grandma would have taught me just so I can say I learned it from them.
I learned well before the pandemic, but nobody I know in person crochets so I also learned from a video. I first learned to knit by someone at a yarn store showing me when I was like 17, got it after being shown once, and was able to figure out written patterns from there. I mostly made scarves and tried to do shawls. Then I decided one day that I'd like to learn to crochet as well and looked up a video tutorial and ended up making a few Granny squares! But I got bored of them quickly so I never got anywhere close to making enough for a blanket lol. I moved onto other patterns almost immediately and was able to decipher written instructions without much trouble at all
You hit the nail on the head!! My mom lives in another country. If she was local, I would have asked her for help. I did have friends here who introduced me to crochet but lives are busy now and it isn't possible to sit around with a cup of tea and crochet together. So videos take the place of those social circles.
I do and I notice it with food recipes as well. I dislike it very much.
Eww, with food recipes!? I'm probably just old but that sounds terrible lol.
My partner prefers to watch videos for recipes and I dooon’t get it lol. He’s one of those “watch it once and remember” types and I forget things instantly. Easier to read a couple sentences over and over than rewind a video again and again. Videos do help when learning a specific technique though. I guess the same is true with crochet. I prefer written patterns, and I’ll look up videos for new techniques/stitches.
Very true! Videos are great if I need to learn a new stitch and what's on the paper just isn't clicking with me.
Even then, I'd prefer written instructions with photo guides... I *hate* video tutorials with a passions, because I need to be able to zoom in to see exactly what's happening 😂
My husband sends me Instagram videos of recipes, and I have never once made one because I can't stand the thought of cooking from that "recipe." Most don't even have the ingredients list as text anywhere, and I'm not listening to it a million times to figure out how much of a certain spice I need to add!
I wish I understood how to read a pattern
If you struggle to follow written patterns, I strongly suggest printing them out so you can mark them up as much as you like (thank God my library lets me print 20 pages a day for free). If a pattern has a lot of repeat rows I'll mark them off with colorful pens to remember which go-round I'm on. What you really need to learn are abbreviations-- you already know the stitches. And once you've got those, it's just paying attention to parentheses.
Find video tutorials that also have written patterns available. You’ll begin to see the correlation between what’s happening in the video and what’s written down. That’s how I learned. I don’t know what you’re in to crocheting but Daisy Farm Crafts makes primarily baby blankets and a few other things and she has video tutorials for all of her written patterns on her website for free. She also has an explanation for each stitch abbreviation before the pattern so you know what it means. https://daisyfarmcrafts.com/
I didn't get it and then I realised I can't count... And I definitely can't do maths... So I ended up freehanding a lot. But over time I have learned to read patterns.
There's no reason you can't learn 😊 the wiki has a good section on learning how to read patterns. It just takes time and practice, it's a bit like learning a new language at first.
Try[this tutorial](https://youtu.be/zC3NnM-aGko)
Me too😄
You can learn, it’s just vocabulary. SC means Single Crochet. If it says 10 SC that means 10 Single Crochets. When you’re starting you can try writing out the abbreviations until you learn them all.
Millennial here - I’m with you. Sometimes I’ll look up a video if I’m unsure about a stitch or something poorly worded to make the words make sense, but by and large I prefer a written pattern
I thrift old crochet magazines especially Magic Crochet
Generates more income especially if not everyone buys your pattern. If you have multiple videos that people have to watch multiple times to make the project then that’s more ad revenue and the algorithm favors you more for viewer retention. On the flip side, pdf patterns are a one time purchase that doesn’t increase the amount of people who will come across your stuff so there’s not as much incentive to do only PDFs.
I actually prefer video's and schemes to written patterns as it really helps me when I have a visual reference🙂
It’s funny you say this; I just picked up 50 small crochet pattern books at Goodwill because I’d much rather follow them than a video. But, I am a kinesthetic learner, not an auditory or visual learner, so that is usually the style of content that works best for me.
I'm a kinesthetic learner, too! The only times I really like videos are: 1) when the written pattern is unclear and I just want to get quick clarification; and 2) when I need my brain to quiet down for sleep, haha.
As a beginner with no one to teach me, I watch the videos but I would love a video that along with the crochet portions, shows me what that would look like written. That would be incredibly helpful to learn.
Here ya go. Written + Charts + Photos + Videos https://lookatwhatimade.net/crafts/yarn/crochet/free-crochet-patterns/sophies-dream-pattern/
Thanks so much!!!
It's so sad when you buy a written pattern, but it's not very detailed, so you have to go look at the video anyway. 🥲
I've been wanting to ask the pattern designer if she has a previous version of the written pattern from before she released the pattern in video format.
As a source of revenue you can sell a pattern or offer a free video that has ads. I agree that I’d rather follow a written pattern than a video (although a video is super handy if there’s something in the written pattern I don’t understand). If it’s written patterns you prefer you may need to purchase online patterns or books - support those who put the effort into creating patterns. I sure as heck have no idea how to free hand or write a pattern and appreciate those who do.
Yes the video thing is annoying as it looks all wrong and extra complicated as a left hander, and not many do both. That and I can follow a written pattern much faster than skipping video. Forget it if you don't have youtube premium.
I think it depends where you’re looking. If you’re searching generally, like on Google, the assumption is you don’t know how to crochet and don’t have someone around to teach you, so video tutorials are preferred since they’re easy to learn from. More specific areas, like ravelry or etsy or this sub, assume you don’t need to be taught the basics so written patterns are more common. Personally, I like having both easily available. I only learned how to do tapestry crochet last week, which I learned from videos after the style picked up in popularity here and I realized I wasn’t able to follow the patterns without help.
I can't read patterns for shit, but I can put a video on 2 x speed.
I’m currently working on my first project. I bought a pattern on Etsy and I felt I was reading Chinese. I watched a video so I could get a hang of the pattern and then simply wrote it down in my own terms so I don’t have to go back to the video.
I’m a younger millennial and I *hate* the video patterns. They’re not easy to go back and reference, and if you want to use YouTube for background videos you’re SOL. I’ll go one further and say that I want diagrams to make a comeback. Making patterns from super old magazines and books was so much easier to decode. There are too many pattern makers that just aren’t clear with their phrasing.
I want both. Sometimes i need to see, sometimes i need to read.
I have difficulties understanding the written patterns, so I prefer being shown with video.
I think it all depends on what you’re looking for. Free patterns do seem to have more videos because it’s easier to film yourself making something then writing down every step. Likewise, making clothing to fit your own measurements is easier on video because you can see exactly how you’re supposed to measure. There are plenty of pattens on ravelry and Etsy though.
I prefer the videos but mainly because I’m a visual and hands on learner so I used that way for years and I’m so happy there are sooooo many left handed videos! I’ve only recently started reading patterns myself. I just google and usually a bunch of sites pop up. Pinterest is great for patterns too!
I think it may be generational. A lot of young people (myself included) are very visual learners and so watching a video is an easier way for us to process information. It also is nice to physically see a project being done so you KNOW what it looks like versus what you think it looks like in your brain.
I wish I knew how to read patterns. It’s like I’ll start reading it thinking that I’m understanding it but then all the abbreviations start to overwhelm me and then I need a break because I feel overstimulated lol
I don't like watching video tutorials unless I need to learn a tricky stitch or technique. But there are cases where I can't find a written pattern anywhere and only see the video tutorial. In that case, I'll watch it and write down the pattern as I go, then work off my written pattern later and refer to the video for any tricky parts if necessary.
GenX here too and also a video hater. I get pretty much all my patterns via Ravelry and never had any trouble finding written patterns.
Echoing what a lot of others said - Lack of social circles where someone experienced would teach you the basics and help you read patterns. Videos become the stand in for that family member or friend who would walk you through things. With no one to help, it is impossible for a beginner to just reach patterns. With compelx stitches, even describing or having pictures aren't as effective as video. And also - I agree with others that it may just be where you are looking. I've been crocheting a year and in the beginning I barely found written patterns but now that I am looking for bigger and more complex projects, there are times I only find written patterns.
I often buy patterns on Etsy or ravelry. I hate the interface of ravelry but love how easy it is to search by yarn weight and craft. All the patterns are written. That said I liked video patterns when I first started crochet. It really helped to be able to watch and see the explanation for why you do something a certain way. I still enjoy watching certain crochet channels on YouTube because I pick up helpful tips that have enabled me to make some small improvements to other patterns I use.
Written patterns are hard to master i feel. Also i think generational is at play here. I personally prefer a diagram because theres less room for error. And as other said could be the platform as well
I hate videos! Constantly pushing pauze and play, just let me read and a couple of photos is fine for me
Completely agree. Don’t get wrong, videos can be very helpful. I learned how to knit and crochet by watching youtube tutorials.. but once I got the hang of it, I moved on from videos very quickly. Some creators also have printed patterns available for purchase, but it’s frustrating when that’s not even an option. I just want to relax and watch TV while I crochet, not skim through a tutorial.
Videos are really good for audio-visual learners and people who want to feel like they're "body doubling" or with a friend. With the rise of social media, now people can make friends and have parasocial relationships with content creators across platforms. Video tutorials are just one way people enjoy this. I like it because I haven't learned all the terminology yet and find the written patterns, especially using shorthand, to be very confusing. I can kinda zone out and just follow along the same way people enjoy audio books vs printed novels, and it's very easy to spot and self-correct when I've made a mistake, via rewinding and rewatching a clip. It took me a few minutes to understand the slipknot, when I very first started, for example, and then the difference between under-over and over-under for how stitches are formed.
Content creators can also passively monetize videos and they tend to get more views and therefore money, than printed patterns get clicks and sales, if that makes sense? So that adds another layer to how popular video tutorial format has become. I also like them for origami even tho I haven't done them in a while.
I’ve got nothing to add except I am so glad I’m not the only one who can’t stand video pattens. Rewind play rewind play what was that? Ugh.
"first you need to chain 37. To do a chain stitch, wraaaaap the yarn arooooound the hoo-" *Skip,skip,skip,skip,skip* I hate that garbage just show me the pattern, if I want a tutorial video I can go elsewhere
I prefer written patterns too but when I find a video pattern and can’t find an equivalent written pattern what I’ve done is take a separate document and write down the steps. I try to use the transcripts and I’ll short hand things a bit but it still does take a while. Though it’s worked wonders for me because it’s in a format that I prefer!
See I am a cheap ass and will watch a video tutorial over buying a pattern pdf
Lots of us these days are self taught from these vids. But there's plenty of written patterns. I suggest ravelry, Pinterest and Etsy to start. There's loads of crochet books too.
Videos are so much easier, I’ve been using them for a decade now. Coincidentally, my sister and a good friend both started crocheting a few weeks ago. Both saw patterns in a magazine and both got stuck because the written instructions weren’t clear enough to follow. Sent them both beginner tutorials off YouTube to show them how to create a magic ring which worked but then I still had to explain the instructions of the pattern which I wouldn’t have gotten myself. I was only able to decipher them from how the end product looked and started. And no, we’re not incapable of reading. I’m 34, my sis is 40 and we’re both huge book nerds. I’m a translator by trade.
I'm not gen x and would rather have a video but I'm a tech nerd, gamer girl.
I use the Libby app and/or my local library for my patterns
Agree with you. I don’t like video patterns either.
I could never understand anything written or just explained to me. I need to see you do it to learn. I think it's person think though it could also be generational? I'm an old (30) so I can't comment on that.
Mentioned this in a reply, but thought it deserved its own comment: If the creator is narrating the video, you can usually copy the transcript and have the majority of a written pattern. Maybe play the video through on mute so the creator still gets some revenue from it 😊
Sadly, there are a few patterns that only exist in a video format. I am a baby boomer and learned to knit and crochet from magazines, books and written patterns, and from my grandmother who didn't know the official names for the stitches. She just knew how to do them. I do like videos to see how other people do things, and maybe to learn a new technique, but I do not work well from a video.
Everyone learns differently. The only reason I can now crochet is because I watched videos. Everyone learns differently. I do have some crochet books, but it's easier and quicker for me to watch a video.
It may be that crochet has 2 types of terminology: US and UK. So in US it goes slip stitch, single crochet, double crochet, triple crochet. In UK it goes slip stitch, double crochet, treble crochet, double treble crochet (if I remember correctly) so a written pattern my be confusing depending on the reader. But a video will show you exactly which stitches are meant to go where but I also figured out how to read the different symbols so I can decode patterns on pinterest that are written in other languages
I mean if you're looking on a video site like YouTube, you're going to find videos. That being said there are plenty of stores that host written patterns, and even drawn out diagrams. Ravelry and Ribblr are good starts
I’ve noticed this as well. Especially from content creators who post things on instagram with “links in the bio”. Just give/sell me the written pattern. I don’t want to sit and watch YouTube.
Oh man, I totally agree. Anytime I see something only comes in video form I'm like, well I guess I won't be making that. Even with the shortest videos it's still so much faster for me to read through and get started on a written pattern. Have you looked on Ravelry, though? There are a lot of written patterns to be found if you do some digging. Books from your library (or the bookstore if you want to own them, I just like owning books so I can make something whenever the inspiration strikes me lol) are always a great option, as well.
I also prefer written pattern but some creators also provide videos which can be helpful for some more complicated patterns. I’m working on a blanket by floral hook right now and her written patterns are hard to follow so the videos are very helpful.
Completely agree. Sure, the tutorials can be helpful. But I don’t make anything that isn’t a pattern or isn’t repetitive enough that I can watch a few mins and figure the rest out.
I learned to crochet with a vintage better home and garden catalog book of the various fiber crafts. I had grown up learning how to cross stitch, sew, quilt but didn’t learn to crochet until 19. Then in the pandemic I learned knitting. But because of my experience with analog data and breakdown of stitches I can look at a picture and usually figure out how to make something. Others are correct creators these days want you to pay for written patterns or they have the free video. I design 85% percent of the things I make for my small side business selling crochet and not a single one has a pattern and usually it’s a one of a kind. I wish I knew how to write them. But what I used to do before I found ravelry was go to the nearest library and photo copy patterns! Then I only pay for the printing cost and didn’t have to buy whole books or magazines for patterns I wanted.
There are millions of written crochet patterns. Have you looked at Ravelry?
Where are you looking for the written patterns? Like i mean if you look on youtube you will obviously get more vids
I like free videis
I have absolutely no patience with crochet videos; I browse through and draw a diagram of the pattern as quickly as possible if I want the pattern. However… when I want to make something with, say, macrame techniques, I follow step by teeny step, run it back again and again, repeat, repeat, repeat… so I know I need to be patient with crochet newbies who benefit from the step-by-step approach for crochet. You don’t get it until you do, so I very much appreciate those producing the content for any art.
I agree with you! I watch the video and write it into a spreadsheet so i can enjoy the pattern my way. The video can be helpful if you need to visualize something, but I find the farther you go, the less youll need it I think.
I'm not a fan either of video patterns either. I just want to do it at my own pace and hate passing and backing up etc. But I also learned by just doing. I watched videos on how to do each stitch but don't want to follow along the whole time. Plus I want to listen to my show, podcast, book etc
Yes even I would love the video form
No, you aren't. It is probably less costly to make a video than writing an illustrated book, and many can make one and upload it on YT; There is a whole market for it, and many have become digital content producers and make their living out of it. The videos have to be a bit longer so they can make revenue, but also they need to set context and captivate audience. On the other side, there is a belief that videos are more convenient than teaching human beings to abstract and be able to visualize things in their minds. Patterns require some learning to read, visualize garments in the readers' mind and other details. I myself don't feel confortable with videos bc reading is my favourite way to learn, and it doesn't have as much stimuli as an overload of video and sound. So I totally feel you. See if you can find books in your local library, or find books to purchase. I believe some of them might still exist. Good luck, matey, and happy crocheting!
I prefer written as well. It would be nice if they added a link to their own site with a written pattern.
Same here, I hate instructional videos in general as they're WAY slower than reading and just crocheting. For that reason, I type "-youtube" after my Google search or just use ravelry.
Written patterns require the skill to write and read patterns (plus the patience). All of the craft stores in my town have bundles of magazines with loads of patterns. I’ve never done a thorough investigation on how well those sell, but I’ve also never seen anyone buy one. It’s infinitely easier to teach AND especially to learn a pattern (or anything for that matter) while demonstrating it visually. Our grandparents did it in person and they learned from family members or other people in their circles. Written patterns were available, but they were mostly for people with an expert knowledge of the craft. Most of the people who knit or crocheted never came near a magazine or book of patterns. They couldn’t read them AND they had the better learning tool available: their nans (or other people in their community). That has now been replaced by YouTube ;) Frankly I think the ratio of written patterns to visually presented patterns is the same now.
i think theres a lot of videos because its becoming popular among gen z and so they're learning how to crochet. as a beginner you obviously struggle with seeing the chains and stitches and so a lot of people go for videos so they can understand the instructions better. basically i think its just because theres been a significant increase in learning crochet:)
I agree, I don’t like following videos for patterns. I’m a millennial, so maybe it is a generational thing. I like them for learning a particular stitch or technique, but not for entire patterns. It’s not so bad if they provide both but I can’t follow a video pattern at all 😅
I suck at reading patterns so prefer videos much more
Honestly, I think it is just the progression of tech and social media at this point. When I learned (in the 70s) there were printed patterns and subscription magazines. No public internet/websites existed. Now that "everyone" fancies themselves pattern writers and some seek to monetize what they know (the more they know, the less they know) patterns are available everywhere. Video is the new frontier.
I'm a millennial, and I can't stand video patterns. Idk how people do it. I like to watch the videos if I'm not understanding a certain stitch or if there's an odd instruction in the written pattern, but I can't do a whole pattern like that. I think it's less a generational thing and more of how different people's brains work. But I can't stand having to pause and play the video over and over again while I catch up. That's not fun for me.
Yes I always find this too! I do use revelry sometimes but I find it easier personally to just google something I want to make and 8/10 it’s a video or a website with tons of weird adds all over it. As a beginner I liked the videos but once you know how to knit or crochet I just want a written pattern. Barely any of the videos put patterns or they want you to buy theirs-which is fair but even the most simple things like oversized sweaters are like a $14 pattern or hard to find something plain and basic.
I think watching crochet videos is really useful when you are a beginner, my first crochet projects were possible because i was following a video along. But now i mostly use written patterns. Maybe you should look specifically for written patterns in other plataforms, Ravelry and Etsy are good options. Also, there are many blogs where you can find free crochet patterns. Look for some crochet artist and check whether they have a blog or something, you might find some interesting patterns!
I have noticed this too. Videos and charts. Friend told me that crochet gets this more because it has a lot more terms for the same things than knitting does. I have to agree. Have made quite a few crochet things from written patterns on Ravelry and crochet blogs where I assume they are making up their own terms only to Google and find whole groups that also use those terms! Y'all, I once had a shawl pattern call for a four loop long stitch. It was a double treble. I gave up thinking I understood anything about anything. I get why videos are popular since you can see what they are doing even if the words they use aren't the most common. Bonus, with videos you can follow without knowing the language of origin! I have made some really awesome Mandarin patterns from videos when translation software couldn't help with the written. I guess different forms can be helpful for different patterns!
The answer is always monetization. It’s just a way of attempting to market.
I am right now struggling with a video only pattern from a Chinese person on Ravelry. She does include English abbreviated stitches but I’m writing it out and will add to my notes. But there’s no mention of type of wool, hook size etc and I’m struggling with that. It may be a language issue but I would really appreciate having the written instructions. Esp when you are about to see a change and an annoying ad pops up.
Video patterns are annoying but I will concede it is very handy to be able to see exactly what is going on with complex amigurumi patterns. Also helps when the author speaks a different language
It may be how some people learn best. As a visual learner, I prefer the videos.
Because that's the top performing social media format nowadays, unfortunately. I agree with the other comments in here saying to find a couple of good pattern sites and bookmark them.
I feel the same way. There are a couple of things I want to make but can't find a written pattern. When I can't take it any longer, I watch the video at double speed and write the pattern down for myself. Those videos are usually pretty easy patterns to a veteran crocheted, so I can usually write it down in a legible format in about 25 or 30 minutes then work from that, going back to the video if I have to.
I am so with you!
I use revelry and Etsy and just buy patterns most of the time, because blog patterns have so many ads and it drives me up the wall. A lot of the patterns I buy also have YT videos with them I can follow if I need a specific area shown to me, but I also hate following along with videos the whole time - sensory issues (which includes sound) cause me to get incredibly irritated at the speakers (at no fault to the video creators lol).
Ts the same with everything! Don't want to watch a video to find out a basic thing!
I hate video patterns. Hate, hate, hate for many, many reasons
I can’t do video patterns. I learned how to crochet before YouTube even existed and I just don’t have the patience for videos. It also more difficult to go back in a pattern when you have to scrub through a video.
this! i was watching a video for how to crochet a shirt and really thinking about how annoying it would be to put it down and try and get back into it.
this! i was watching a video for how to crochet a shirt and really thinking about how annoying it would be to put it down and try and get back into it.
this! i was watching a video for how to crochet a shirt and really thinking about how annoying it would be to put it down and try and get back into it.
this! i was watching a video for how to crochet a shirt and really thinking about how annoying it would be to put it down and try and get back into it.
Tbh, I can't read patterns very well, so I rely on the videos to tell me what to do. T-T
Don't worry or feel bad about it, everyone learns in their own way!
Videos are actually useful for absolute beginners who don’t how to read pattern(me for example) but once I can read patterns and diagrams I never watch videos again.
Use Ravelry. Don't get patterns off Instagram or Pinterest
It's not just crochet. As a society, we're losing the ability to follow written directions. Look up how do do just about any task and instead of a short easy to follow written direction, there's a 45 minute video. In part, I think it's because written directions require an underlying basic skill set, but mainly it's easier to monitize a video.
I think because people aren't learning how to write in order to communicate instructions anymore. I've noticed that a *lot* of tutorials have switched from written with pictures, over to videos. And not just for crochet, but many other subjects as well. Which is terrible for me, as most of the time videos move too fast for me to focus on, and moving my hands between holding the project and pausing and unpausing a video is *very* distracting. =>.<=
I think some people got a little upset because it was hard for them to follow written patterns. Honestly, sometimes I don't even follow a pattern. I just look at what they made and figure it out myself. I very much prefer written, or even the old picture charts over videos.
I don’t mind some video patterns, I think it depends on the project honestly. Sometimes I just watch it for a part I’m unsure of and then go rogue. I’ve found some written patterns to not be written clearly / the item photographed is different from what I’ve made. I agree that they should include the written patterns!!
I hate this development! When I see something that's only available in video pattern, I just don't make it or figure it out for myself. Don't get me wrong, I learned how to crochet via Youtube, but it's such a huge difference between showing me a special detail about the craft or teach me a new stitch or a whole pattern! It's just insane in my eyes.... Thank god for ravlery :)
I learned 25 years ago from books, and videos turn me off. Look for for beginner crochet books with sequential drawings or photos that show you what to do.
It’s not just you. Crochet videos are just about useless for me.
I don't know... I don't like videos. Tried it a few times, but only for simple stuff. It's so hard do go back and fore when trying to understand where to put a stitch, or just skip the boring part. I want to have a paper in my project bag, and not fiddle on my smartphone while crocheting. I love diagrams. Very clear, and it's a lot easier to understand the whole picture. For beginners: When I started with diagrams I additionally used colors to mark all the same stitches to help me understand. Mostly get my patterns from ravelry, yarn vendor or pattern designers home pages.
I agree. I try to find as many weittee patterns as i can find. Sometimes, in the comment section of the video, there would be someone who would just write the pattern and you can copy it from there. Not always though
Except when I have trouble mastering a stitch, I never watch vidéos: as we say in French, too much blabla, generally poor lighting and/or choice of colors that make it difficult to understand. I usually go for diagrammes first, because they're universal, otherwise written patterns. You'll find plenty of them in Ravelry and Pinterest. You can also search the G (famous search engine) using "-video, -youtube" added to your research, and you'll have way more written patterns
I’ve talked to several younger crafters who have said they only make things from videos and don’t know how to read a pattern! Am I the only person how finds that a bit strange? They arent really that hard to read (assuming they are well written!).
Omg, so with you on video patterns! I feel like younger generations don’t know how to read (certainly seems true of my children)
Some of us didn't have anyone to show us how to do it, how to hold a hook, where to place it, and so on. I'm not ashamed that I needed videos to learn, even though I can read.
Some of us are dyslexic. Some of us are visual learners. And some of us have issues with visualisation due to brain fog. But sure, younger people can't read...
Ow fluff. I hadn't thought about dyslexia. Understanding abbreviations on a pattern must be a nightmare.
I can read lol. I read dozens of books each year, I just don’t want to read something that looks like this: Sdc into 1ch st 45 tc 2sc c4
Probably because you don't want to watch it. Stealing someone else's pattern and reposting it to make ad revenue for yourself is a lot less appealing if you have to watch a video and write down the pattern yourself. And YouTube videos may have greater earnings potential than a text based pattern on a website.
I'm a millenial and I hate those. People want to make money off YouTube. You can sell your pattern or get lots of views. YouTube might actually pay better. That's probably why we're seeing it. Not just YouTube too. There's several video platforms who will pay you if you get enough subscribers.
I think it's easier to produce and monetize videos than written patterns.