People come in a wide range of sizes and so should your patterns

If you still only know how to make a pattern in five sizes, are you really serving your audience?

You're totally right, I'm ready to do better >>

Does this sound familiar?

You thought grading for an expanded range of sizes was as simple as plugging numbers into a spreadsheet and then got frustrated when it didn’t work out to fit an actual body.
You once graded a sweater for chest sizes from 30” to 62” / 75 to 150 cm and were very proud of yourself until a test knitter discovered your largest size had a neck circumference wide enough to be an off the shoulder top.
You want to start publishing garment patterns but you’ve been following the conversations about #sizeinclusivity and have no idea where to start designing for a body shape other than your own.
You have a design ready to grade, but you have no idea how to grade that construction in a way that will fit your audience.

I think we’ve all had an experience — either as a maker, designer, or editor — with a poorly graded pattern. It’s incredibly frustrating. But what can be done about it?

Oh, there’s A LOT that can be done about it.

Introducing: Pattern Grading Masterclass

The original A Masterclass on Grading (offered from 2019-2021) is being re-vamped and re-written and will be launched as Pattern Grading Masterclass in the near future.

Why a new course? We personally visited with almost 40 of our grading students to get detailed feedback on what worked and what didn’t in our first grading course.

We are super excited to be able to bring you an expanded curriculum that goes beyond the original and takes grading to the true masterclass level, with comprehensive information, practice modules, and details on different constructions.

More details coming soon! Want to be the first to hear when the course is available? Sign up below!

Sign me up, I want this!

What are people saying about this course?

Joy Friedman

“I already took another course but didn’t feel confident in my sizing charts. I thought it wouldn’t be a bad idea to expose myself to more instruction, and once I got into the platform, I was hooked.
**Your grading course has provided me with much more confidence in preparing my own sizing charts and understanding standard charting and custom sizing.** It has helped push me to finally publish my first pattern, and I forwarded it to a tech editor last week. I would not have been able to do this without the help and guidance of this Masterclass. It really has been invaluable.”
@top_of_the_world_knits

Kephren Pritchett

“Before I started the course I had experience grading my own patterns, but I was uncomfortable grading the sizes at the high and low ends of the size range, and I didn't feel confident enough in my skills to grade other designer's patterns at all.
Since watching the first two lessons I've had my first size-inclusive grading job for a client and because of what I learned in the course I knew where to start, what problems to look out for, and how to solve them. I even knew how to use the grade rules the client supplied me with, which is something I didn't know before.
Now I'm planning to offer grading as part of my tech editing services starting in March, and I'm working on grading my existing patterns in more sizes, as well as developing my own grade rules.”
@kephrenknitting

Kath Andrews

“Before I purchased A Masterclass on Grading, I had completed a course in Hand Knit Design, which taught me many aspects of designing knitwear apart from grading. I began to publish my knitwear designs in 2012, including some in different sizes, but I had had to do it the long way round. I wasn’t able to use the features of Excel to help with the grading process or to check that my numbers were ‘true’.
Now that I have completed the coursework, **I am more confident in my ability to grade garments to a wide range of sizes,** using Excel properly as well as returning sometimes to my trusty graph paper and coloured pens! **Learning about and getting access to a wider range of sizing charts has given me a clear sense of how different areas of the body change through the size range.**

My key takeaway from A Masterclass on Grading is that Excel is a wonderful tool and the formulas are amazingly helpful in cutting out a lot of leg-work. Learning that grading is a mixture between an art and a science has been important—that sometimes and in some places it’s ok to play with the numbers a little. The Office Hours monthly sessions are great and the tutors and other students are always really supportive.”

@kath_andrews_designs

Nicky Jensen

“Before I started the course I was new to tech editing and trying to establish my niche. I knew that grading was an in-demand skill as I saw more calls for inclusive sizing and the appearance of courses on grading. I had experience grading my own patterns but felt I had a lot to learn before offering this service to clients.
Summarizing a key takeaway is difficult. There are so many steps to consider in each individual design. But I feel much more knowledgeable about garment construction and sizing considerations than I did before.

Now that I’ve taken this course, I am confident offering grading services to clients and have retained several new clients specifically because of this skill. I have been able to reduce hours at my full time job and can freelance from home during my daughter’s naps while spending more time with my family.”

@handknitsandhygge

Lizabeth Towers

“Before taking A Masterclass on Grading, my head (and closets) were filled with design ideas and prototypes — in ONE size. But I was bewildered by the process to get from one-off custom garments to offering viable size-inclusive knitwear designs. This class, along with the crucial ongoing network offered, is equipping me to do just that. Special thanks to the instructors!“

@goodytwosticks