When I first started self-publishing Hat knitting pattern some 20 years ago, from the get-go I started using a filename format that helped not only me remember what was what, but knitters, too. And to this day, the same format is in use, and has been adaptable enough to grow with my business and the different file formats I now offer.

Before I start explaining the breakdown of the filename itself, and how to use that to make sure you’re using the latest and correct version for you, I want to highlight a couple of key differences in the reformatted patterns that were launched in June 2024.

2024 front page of the Tudor Cap knitting pattern

One of the most obvious ways to tell whether you’re working with one of the latest versions is by the front cover. And assuming your file management system shows the thumbnails of each PDF, i.e. with the front cover as the thumbnail, this is very easy to differentiate visually.

I added a front cover for two reasons.

Firstly for the reason mentioned above – it makes glancing through files that much easier, and you can visually see the Hat itself that much more clearly.

And secondly becuase each of my knitting patterns now has an ISBN, because yes, they can have! There are certain requirements to a publication having an ISBN and whilst having a front cover isn’t critical, it helps ensure the pattern is approved for ISBN assignment.

2024 front page of the Rhinebeck Hat knitting pattern

Another way to tell file versions apart is by the photography. We re-photographed at least half my pattern range, if not more, and it’s something we’re continuing to do.

Our photography has improved greatly (and it kinda helps that I let Tom manage that now, considering his training is in photography and videography!) so having better quality product photos helps.

But it’s more than that – each time we re-photograph a Hat we get a chance to show it in a different environment, on a different model with different hair, facial structure and/or skin tone, and we often to get to show the Hat in an entirely different yarn, too.

So if you’ve several versions of a pattern – which you might have, as updates to my patterns are free if you’ve purchased them via my Ravelry and Payhip stores, as well as my website – then compare the front covers and photos to visually check which version you’re working from.

TL;DR Version

In short, if you’re using a pattern file that doesn’t have the full image front cover, you’re using an outdated version. If you have both, you can delete the old version.

The patterns weren’t just updated to add a cover and ISBN – they were updated for many, many reasons – including additional sizes, fresh charts, clarifying instructions and making them more consistent and so much more.

About File Names

Having covered the visual aspects of my pattern PDFs, let’s look at the file names!

When I first started to self-publish my patterns I knew I needed both a filename structure and product code system. And it really hasn’t changed much since the first published patterns.

Let’s look at Rhinebeck Hat again as an example, as it’s a popular pattern that has had revisions. It’s original filename was: 

WW348KRhinebeckHat.1.pdf

Breaking that down, here’s what the different parts of the filename mean…

WW: this stands for ‘Woolly Wormhead’, so that it’s easier for you to identify which designer created the pattern. I don’t know that many designers or companies do this, but it made total sense to me – I know what it’s like to have a folder full of random PDFs and the need to search for a particular file! The ‘WW’ at the beginning will keep all your Woolly Wormhead patterns together in an alphabeticalised file system.

348: that’s the pattern’s catalogue, or product, number. That doesn’t necessarily mean it was my 348th pattern, as the numbers reference PDF tutorials, eBooks, and more.

K: this tells you (and me!) that it’s a knitting pattern. Crochet patterns used to have ‘C’, eBooks have ‘B’, premium tutorials have ‘T’ and so on.

RhinebeckHat: the pattern’s name – the most obvious bit!

.pdf: the file format – I only sell my patterns and eBooks in PDF format as ePubs don’t work well with the way I write my patterns, but it’s possible one day I may use a different format – who knows.

.1: In recent years, before the latest 2024 reformatted versions, the Rhinebeck Hat had a revision. Nothing major, just converting the charts to greysclale. Under the old filename system, before the 2024 revamp and overhaul, if there wasn’t a number there were no revisions; subsequent ascending numbers meant a new revision, and that would be the then latest version

2024 File Names

Since June 2024, when all of the patterns were updated after the great pattern refomatting (which took at least 3 years!) the filename changed slightly. But not by much.

WW348KRhinebeckHat.2024.1.pdf

.2024: this denotes that the file is the reformatted version with an ISBN and new front cover. This is always going to be the version you want to work from if you have more than one version.

.1: In the past a number was only added when there was a revision – this time I’ve started every version with the number 1. Revisions weren’t something I thought about much when I first started self-publishing – Ravelry didn’t exist back then, digital e-commerce options were limited and folks could only buy the one version without updates – so it wasn’t on my radar. 20 years on things are different, and I’m factoring for potential revisions from the get-go.

It’s important to note here that on this website, on each pattern page the last revision date is given – this helps you check that date against your files and/or purchase date.

Other File Postfixes

There are other things that you might see within a filename, so let me finish this post by explaining some of those!

LVA: if you see this after the ‘2024’ in the filename, it means it’s a pattern format that’s suitable for screen-readers and folks who prefer large print versions. I don’t have many patterns in this format, I do hope to add more in the future, but you can find them all under the Large Print or Screen-Reader options under ‘Accessibility’ filter in my shop.

Language Specific Postfixes

All of my single patterns have been translated into Czech and Italian. A number are available in other languages including French, German, Spanish and more. I hope to build on these in the future, but here’s some examples of how the language notation appears in the file name. Note that if there isn’t a specific language code in the filename, then the pattern is in English, regardless of format.

The different language formats can be searched in my shop as well as on Ravelry. However, only the language versions in the new format – with the front cover, ISBN, and importantly the premium tutorial download links – are listed on this website. the other language versions are all on Ravelry.

CZ: Czech language

IT: Italian language

FR: French language

GER: German language

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I hope this helps explain a few things, and helps you make sure you’re using not only the latest file version, but also the right one for you!

Updates will continue to be free on my website and Ravelry. On Payhip you have to opt into receiving emails about pattern updates, but I’ll continue to publish them there anyway.