As a techie, I had my doubts about an old-school version of a project journal since we have a tool like Ravelry already. But once I got my hands on a really good one, I’ve since changed my mind! (Unfortunately, that particular one is no longer available.) There are definitely pros to a tangible reference you can keep nearby or even pass down to loved ones one day. Finding a great one can be a challenge but what if you can make your own for a fraction of the cost?
In this video: https://youtu.be/dJvpxES09Io I talk about some good ones that can be purchased BUT there are drawbacks that come all of them. There are also some FREE pre-made sets you can download as well… but again, there are drawbacks. And how do you know what you’d like to have included if you’ve never used one before?
Below are some ideas to include. Beside each, I put some links to free ones I’ve found online. There may certainly be others so be sure to search yourself and see what all it out there!
Ideas to Consider
Reference
Yarn Fibers and their attributes: https://content.primecp.com/master_images/files/Types-of-Yarn-Chart.pdf
Needle/Hook Inventory: https://www.dontbesuchasquare.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/My-needles-and-hooks_US-scaled.jpg
Yarn Weights: Included with my Hat Sizing Chart: https://sheepishlysharing.files.wordpress.com/2015/03/hat-sizing-charts1-21.pdf
Standard Body Measurement: https://www.goodknitkisses.com/women-sizes-chart/
Hat Sizing Chart: https://sheepishlysharing.files.wordpress.com/2015/03/hat-sizing-charts1-21.pdf
Standard Afghan Measurements: https://www.acrochetedsimplicity.com/standard-blanket-sizes/
Collection of Sizing Charts: https://oombawkadesigncrochet.com/category/size-charts
Sock Knitting Information and Charts: https://jmncreativeendeavours.ca/knittingsewing-tips/knitting/
Knit Symbols and Abbreviations – Choose some good ones from Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/knittingunlimited/knitting-abbreviations-and-knitting-chart/
Crochet (US & UK) Symbols and Abbreviations: https://craftconnection.com.au/crochet-chart-usa-uk-terminology/
Sweater Ease Explained: http://www.mscleaver.com/chronicles/2015/8/5/what-is-ease-or-how-to-choose-a-size
Sweater Ease Chart from Tin Can Knits: https://blog.tincanknits.com/2018/10/12/how-to-choose-your-size/#jp-carousel-10006
Sweater Ease Explained by Tin Can Knits: https://blog.tincanknits.com/2018/10/12/how-to-choose-your-size/
Estimated Yarn Requirements: https://i.pinimg.com/originals/f0/be/c5/f0bec5e86f0fd7fbd75787452aae70c1.png
Planning
Calendar for Birthdays and Holidays – either selling or gifting, plan projects to be finished on time! Idea links downloadable in different formats: https://www.template.net/business/calendars/birthday-calendar-template/
Google “Christmas Gift Planner Printable” for specific Christmas themed ideas. Here’s a whole set for all Christmas planning duties: https://www.yellowblissroad.com/christmas-planner-free-printable-planner/
Handmade Gift Givers Guide: https://www.craftylifemom.com/craft-project-planner-printable/
Record for Gift Recipients’ Sizes (also includes tips for proper sizing): https://ysolda.com/blogs/journal/choosing-a-size
Design
Knitting Design Paper: https://www.theknittingsite.com/knitting-graph-paper/
Intarsia Design Paper: https://www.flickr.com/photos/31456571@N08/5266500238/
Shadow/Illusion Design Paper: https://www.theknittingsite.com/knitting-graph-paper/
Free! Auto-generate a Knitting Pattern From a Picture: https://www.theknittingsite.com/knitpro/
Project Page with a place for a swatch: https://www.dontbesuchasquare.com/free-knitting-project-sheets-pdf-template/
See this idea for Project Page with a pocket: https://youtu.be/dOowfjM_jnU?t=388
Basic Graph Paper for Design Notes: https://templatelab.com/graph-paper-templates/
Basic Dot Paper for Design Notes: https://incompetech.com/graphpaper/squaredots/
Miscellaneous
My Knit/Crochet History – Considering passing this down to a loved one? If so, be sure to include a paragraph or 2 explaining how you got started with your beloved hobby! When was it? Who taught you? Etc.
Include a needle gauge in a page protector or zipper pocket
Your Favorite Yarn Sources (stores/online/sale dates, etc.)
Your Favorite Knitting Books
Downloadable Free Sets
Note: Some of these sites require a free “subscription” to their sites (involving registering your email and possibly creating a password. Keep searching as there may be more out there and I imagine more are being created everyday!
Little Red Window offers 4 pretty, tastefully-designed pages: https://littleredwindow.com/free-printable-knitting-planner-and-crochet-planner-pages/
Kathryn Ivy presents 10 options as individual pdf files so that each page can be downloaded or printed as desired for both Knitting and Crochet. There is no need to subscribe to access these elegant pages. http://kathrynivy.com/patterns/extras/knitting-journal/
Crochet 365 Knit, Too offers a bright collection with cute owls for its theme. There are 9 useful pages and additional themed pages for notes and a “Crochet Journal” cover. https://www.crochet365knittoo.com/free-crochet-knit-journal/
Winding Road Crochet offers more pages but at a smaller A5 size (aka half pages). Content is rather general/broad. https://www.windingroadcrochet.com/practical-crochet-planner-you-will-love-free-download/
Consciously Crochet gives us a sparse but pretty planner for both Crochet and Knitting with project pages patterned after the content on Ravelry. https://consciouslycrochet.com/project-planner-free-printable-knitters-crocheters/
LoveCrafts offers a free downloadable journal but it’s lacking real content. It’s pretty and has some helpful pages for creativity inspiration, it’s not exactly what I’d call comprehensive. https://www.lovecrafts.com/en-us/p/my-making-journal-free-printable-knitting-crochet-pattern-by-lovecrafts
Printable/Digital/Editable Sheepishly Sharing Pages
Below are some printable journal pages I’ve designed for my own personal use that some you may like. You have two options so click the sentence that best suits your needs:
- Download and/or print and fill in by hand.
- Familiar with Google Drive? These links will allow you to save them to your Google account and edit them however you’d like! PLEASE NOTE:
- You must have a Google Account in order to use them in Google Drive.
- This is editable in the Google Drive program called “Google Drawings.”
- While it’s free for personal use, please do not sell or claim it as your own work.
- I’m sorry, but I can’t provide individual coaching on how to use Google products but I do off this overview video: https://youtu.be/5yO-C6Hb_94
- Note: Not just for crafting! This can be used for ANY type of goal planning!
- Click on this sentence to download a copy of this Goal Planner to your own Google Account. Sign into your Google Account FIRST!
- Click on this sentence to download and/or print a copy to fill in by hand.
- Click on this sentence to download a copy of this Gift Planner to your own Google Account. Sign into your Google Account FIRST!
- Click on this sentence to download and/or print a copy to fill in by hand.
- This is meant to be filed by month but you can use it however you’d like!
- Idea: use in conjunction with a perpetual calendar like this one!
Here’s a fun “recipe” to knock out some of those wonderful worsted weight scraps we always seem to have on hand. No fancy decreases to worry about. They’re fast and fun! The hats pictured here are a 6 month size but adjust the number of cast on stitches and it works for any size!
Sheepishly Sharing 