Since the launch of Open Pattern Format much of the focus has been on providing people with patterns to try with Pattern Manager. So far we have concentrated on patterns by Cat (the knitting knowledge behind OPAF) because they are readily available to us.
Patterns released so far:
- Garter Squish Beanie – A fully customisable, free pattern that can be downloaded from the Pattern Manager page.
- Speckle Pop Socks – A paid for pattern. The first to demonstrate interactive charts.
- Over The Ocean – Children’s Sizing – The first garment pattern which allows for row gauge customisation so that body and sleeve length instructions can be altered. Another paid for pattern.
- Quinzhee Cowl – Fully customisable pattern which also demonstrates interactive charts. Cat has kindly offered the OPAF version of this pattern for free.
In progress, there is also the Over The Ocean – Adult Sizing pattern, a brand new pattern where the OPAF version will be released alongside the PDF version.
Behind the scenes, this has enabled us to continue to test and improve the Pattern Creator tool. This is the tool that will make it possible for designers to create their own OPAF patterns. It is working well, all of the patterns we have released so far have been created using it so it is definitely up to the job. But it’s still not quite ready for release!!
So why do we need designers?
At this early stage, and whilst the Creator tool isn’t quite ready for prime time, we would like to invite designers who are keen to see their patterns presented in this digital format, to get in touch! There are still likely to be gaps in what both the file format and Creator tool can accommodate and the best way to highlight these is to put them through their paces with patterns from a wide range of designers.
What’s in it for you? (the designer)
We do all of the work porting from the PDF pattern to an OPAF pattern saving you the time and energy of having to do it yourself.
You will get the finished pattern file (.opafpkg) to review. If necessary, and with your valued input, we will make as many changes as necessary to perfect it.
The finished pattern file is yours to sell or distribute however you want if you so wish. If you do release the OPAF pattern, we would just like to write a short website blog and social media post letting our followers know that another OPAF pattern has been published and where folks can find it.
We will also give you the pattern source file (.opaf). Unless you enjoy looking at XML this won’t mean much to start with, but when the Creator tool is released, you will be able to open the .opaf file and have a play. This should act as a handy resource to refer to when creating future patterns yourself or if you need to update the pattern at any point and push out a new release.
What’s in it for us?
As previously mentioned, we get to test both the Pattern Creator tool and the file format itself with a greater variety of patterns. It will help us find gaps in the pattern format and improve the Creator tool before we release it into the wild.
A pattern format isn’t much use if there are no patterns available. Our hope is you decide to release your OPAF pattern so users of the Pattern Manager app will have a greater variety to choose from.
More designers with OPAF patterns available helps us showcase that OPAF is not associated with just one designer or design house. Any designer can write an OPAF pattern and they are free to sell or distribute it however they wish just as they do today with a PDF pattern.
Telling your customers and followers about patterns you have made available in Open Pattern Format will help us immensely to get the format more widely adopted and spoken about in the knitting community.
So how about it?
If you would like to work with us, please do give us an email on info@openpatternformat.com or fill out the Designer Interest from, below, we can’t wait to hear from you!!