
The Perception that Jill Wolcott Knits Patterns are Expensive

Pattern Inputs
As a pattern purchaser you may not be able to fully imagine the amount of work that goes into a Jill Wolcott Knits pattern.
- schematics,
- charts,
- written instructions,
- shaping instructions,
- shaping charts,
- hyperlinks to techniques,
- hyperlinks to other part of the pattern,
- larger format charts and schematics when needed, plus
- a wealth of knowledge and expertise.
Hard Costs in Pattern
A pattern can take anywhere from 8 hours to 100 hours of of my time. In addition to my time, I pay contractors.
- tech editor (at $50/hour) to comb over each page, often more than once,
- sample knitter,
- administrative assistant (often in support of the pattern itself),
- bookkeeping assistant, and
- photographer or photo editor.
In order to do my job I have purchased computers, printers, cameras, tripods, dress forms, irons, and I need supplies.
- paper,
- ink,
- pens and pencils,
- other office supplies, as well as
- knitting needles and notions,
- buttons and other closures,
- ribbons, fabric, and other finishing materials.
I am fortunate to be supplied the yarn by yarn companies.
Jill Wolcott Knits Patterns May Not Be Expensive
Garment Patterns
My patterns are generally over 20 pages long, including written instructions and charts, as well as shaping chart, charts and instructions for right and left sides, complete instructions for finishing your project, and often instructions for making an embellishment or other add-on. My garment patterns are generally sold at $18 to $20. I just opened a pattern in line to be updated with new yarn, and the pattern is 98 pages long (see photo at end) and it is priced at $20! So that makes it a very inexpensive pattern. My patterns are not inordinately difficult, but I have spent hours considering each step, making sure the instructions are clear, and giving you the guidance I would want to get in a pattern.
Having What You Need In a Pattern
When I sit down to work from one of my published patterns, I am often struck at how pleasant it is to just follow along and watch the piece or pieces unfold. That said, I can always find ways and things that need improvement, so I update whenever I find something that I feels should be changed. Every pattern that I revisit gets updated language, layout upgrades, new charts if needed, additional schematics, and added clarity.
What Else Goes Into Jill Wolcott Knits Patterns
I have education focused on being a designer. I went to technical school in pattern making and garment construction. Following that I went to university to acquire degrees in fashion design and fashion product development. I have been designing hand knits since 1994. In 2000 I began to teach college and master-level classes in design and product development, which I did until 2016. I teach classes in grading to other designers. Read more in my CV or here.
Jill Wolcott Knits Patterns
Again, I understand that my patterns are expensive from a price-comparison standpoint, but you could think about how much of your time is spent knitting a project. I strive to make the pattern part of it supportive. Generally speaking, the pattern costs about $1 an hour of knitting, or less. Often when the price is being questioned, the writer speaks about poor quality of past purchases. It is an unfair equivalent.