Time Saving Pattern Writing Tips

Contents

1 Automating Pattern Writing in MSWord
1. 1.1 Automatically Inserting Knitting Needle / Crochet Hook Size Equivalents
2. 1.2 Saving Different Versions of the Same Document

Automating Pattern Writing in MSWord

Automatically Inserting Knitting Needle / Crochet Hook Size Equivalents

Tired of hauling out the needle/hook conversion chart every time you write up a pattern?

A Needle/Hook Conversion Tutorial on the Shifting Stitches blog describes the process for having MSWord automatically type in knitting needle / crochet hook conversions.

For example, typing 3mm into a document has Word automatically replace it with 3mm [CA/UK 11, US 2.5] (Windows tested only, I'm afraid, but I have it on good authority that the process works on a Mac as well -- just not the keyboard shortcuts).

(Credit: dialog box screen capture above -- Microsoft and MSWord)
There is also a free downloadable pdf booklet link at the bottom of this page.

Saving Different Versions of the Same Document

While writing knitting (or crochet) pattern directions, rather than saving the pattern file with different file names at various stages in the process, try using the Versions feature in MSWord.

This feature actually saves all of the versions you create in 1 file, keeping all of the documents together -- no more searching for "lost" files. Any of the versions saved can be recovered, so you can try out different layouts, image effects or fonts and then compare and choose the final look. This actually saves disk space as well because of the way MSWord handles version files.

There is a free downloadable pdf booklet link at the bottom of this page.

v.5

SMNTutorialBookletAutomatingKnitNeedleConversion.pdf

(625k)

L. O'Neill,

Aug 13, 2008 8:36 PM

v.3

SMNTutorialBookletMSWordDocumentVersions.pdf

(237k)

L. O'Neill,

Aug 24, 2008 5:28 PM