On the Fence Between Similar Patterns? How to Choose Which to Knit

I’ve received quite a few questions now from knitters who ‘don’t know how to choose’ between some of my patterns. For example, should they try the Versal Pullover or the Saglan? The Tailor’s Rib Beanie, the Expanding Rib Beanie, or the Twist-Top Beanie? On the surface, the two pullover designs and the three beanie designs appear similar. And from the knitter’s point of view, I understand it might not be immediately obvious why these are even separate patterns, let alone which one to pick.

This dilemma of course is not limited to choosing a pattern from among a single designer’s oeuvre. In fact, probably a more common situation, is seeing very similar patterns from different designers, and not knowing which to pick. For example: Countless designers offer patterns for items such as a basic raglan pullover, a shawl collar cardigan, a ribbed beanie, basic socks, and so on. Oftentimes in photos, they can even look near-identical.

But contrary to that popular saying, a picture isn’t always worth a thousand words. At least not in the context of knitting. So if you find yourself ‘on the fence,’ so to speak, it’s important to approach the selection with an awareness of your preferences, and a willingness to read the descriptions of the patterns between which you are choosing. Here are some specific factors worth considering:

Construction
Perhaps this one is obvious, but rightfully so as it’s the most important factor. Two identical-looking pullovers might be constructed in completely different ways - from pieced construction, to top-down, to bottom-up, to other mind-bogglingly creative methods. Most knitters have a preference. So first of all, eliminate the option(s) that involve a construction method you dislike. Or, looking at it from another perspective: Perhaps you’ve been knitting according to a specific method for too long and are ready to try something different. So for instance, if you’ve been looking for an opportunity to try pieced construction after years of knitting top-down in the round, opt for the pattern which offers that.

Techniques
Do you love short rows? Or absolutely can’t deal with them and prefer traditional neckline shaping? Do you consider steeking an over-hyped trend that ruins perfectly re-usable yarn? Or does the knitting process feel hollow if steeking is not on the menu? Do you feel that designers who make copious use of the i-cord deserve to be strangled with said cord? Or do your fingers tingle with anticipation when you see the i-cord mentioned in the pattern notes? I won’t go on, but I think you get the idea. Pattern descriptions tend to include a list of techniques required. Be sure to read through them, when making your decision; chances are you may encounter something you love, or hate.

Other Knitters’ Projects
Take it as a given, that designers’ pattern photos, and descriptions are biased. This is not because we are bad, devious creatures who cackle with glee as we try to sell you patterns you will not enjoy knitting or wearing. It’s because we are human, and aren’t always capable of judging our own work objectively. That is why looking at other knitters’ projects - their photos and their comments - can be useful. If you are choosing between two similar patterns, and notice that one has a better success rate among knitters than the other, that is certainly a valid factor to guide the decision-making process.

Pattern-Writing Style & Familiarity with the Designer
Designers can have vastly different styles of pattern-writing. If a pattern is being offered by a designer with whose patterns you are already familiar, and whose style you find easy to understand, that certainly counts in favour of the pattern - compared to a similar one, from a designer whose style is either unknown to you, or whose patterns you already know can be a bit challenging to follow. On the other hand, if you are looking for something different and are bored by knitting too many patterns by the same designer, then the opposite applies - go for the pattern by the designer who is new to you.

Pattern’s Popularity
There are knitters who enjoy knitting popular patterns. Perhaps it makes them feel part of a community, or more motivated when others are working on something similar, or even they simply enjoy being trendy. All of these are perfectly valid reasons to opt for the more popular pattern. On the other hand, there are knitters who prefer to knit patterns that are more niche - whether for reasons of exclusivity, ‘anti-establishment,’ or simply preferring to do their own thing. Again, all valid reasons. If you fall into one of these camps, a patterns popularity is worth considering.

Aside from the above factors, which I feel are helpful in the selection process, there are also factors I would call Red Herrings and would like to caution you against.

The most common one is the colour of the sample. We all fall prey to this completely irrelevant feature; it is hard to ignore! For that reason, if you notice being attracted to one pattern over a similar-looking one on the basis of the colour of the sample, try transforming the photos to black-and-white mode so as not to cloud your decision.

It is equally easy to be influenced by the model in the photos, and the general atmosphere the designer aims to create. Try to look past these elements and focus on the garment. Imagine yourself wearing it, rather than the model. Imagine it in the supermarket, rather than in the forest. Resist our artistic manipulations!

And the final red herring I feel worth mentioning, is yarn compatibility. Some designers suggest specific yarns for their patterns, which might create the impression that a pattern is compatible only with that yarn - and therefore purchasing the pattern will necessitate also sourcing the yarn. However, in most cases this is not true. The overwhelming majority of patterns can be knitted in any yarn compatible with the stated meterage and gauge.

So don’t let it dissuade you, if a pattern states the yarn as something to the effect of ‘Etherea. Sourced from small-batch production faerie-wing residue. Shop update every leap year 29th February, 4:00-4:20am, first come first serve.’

Sounds unattainable. But upon a closer look at this ‘Etherea’ we determine it has a meterage of 200m/ 100g. And the pattern’s gauge is stated as 20 sts/ 10cm. That’s a bog standard DK weight yarn and gauge. Enjoy!

I hope this has been useful as at least a starting point in deciding between similar patterns. And just to be clear, Etherea is not a real yarn (I can already anticipate people asking me for a link!).

The End.

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See also: Versal vs Saglan (a detailed discussion of the similarities and differences)