Welcome

Welcome to the Accessible Patterns Index. Our aim is to index knitting, loom knitting, and crochet patterns that are formatted for blind or print challenged crafters. Search for patterns by keywords, or by designer name. Scroll down to the bottom of this page on the left to sign up for our newsletter and keep up with all the new patterns as they are added to the index.

Formatting of the patterns listed in the index varies depending on the source for the patterns, pattern books or booklets. Individual designers are using new standards for creating accessible patterns. These will be given on the designer’s page. At a minimum patterns should be written in large print 22 to 24 point font, all black sans serif font. No italics. All directions fully written out. If a pattern has a chart the pattern can be made without use of the chart. Many patterns have also been edited to work with screen readers. They have fewer abbreviations and have been tested on a screen reader(s). All patterns are in pdf files. These files should be easier to use with screen readers because they have very minimal formatting and are specially designed for the blind and print challenged user.

In addition, we are beginning to catalog patterns that are color blind accessible as well as those that have captioned videos.

Books from the National Library Service for the Blind (NLS Bard) are available in three formats: press Braille, digital Braille and digital audio. These books have not been otherwise modified from the original book formats.

Books available from Bookshare come in multiple formats including DAISY, epub, audio and digital braille. These books have not been otherwise modified from the original book formats.

Books from the Marjorie Arnott Collection are available in Braille or txt digital, by email or on a CD.

Please visit the contact page for comments or questions. Please visit the Tips page for more information about creating accessible patterns, including Renee’s new e-course for designers.

If you like what we are doing, you can support the Index with a small donation. Happy crafting!

Categories