About Jane Burns, Knitting & Crochet Pattern Designer and Bertie too…
All about Jane Burns (that’s me)! Here’s what I believe, your knitting and crochet projects should be as much fun to make as they are to wear. Revolutionary? Maybe not. But it’s the reason I’ve spent nearly 18 years designing patterns that bring joy to every stitch.
I’m a professional knitting and crochet pattern designer based in the Midlands, UK. My work has been featured in every major UK yarn craft magazine – from Simply Knitting to The Knitter, Knit Now to Crochet Now – and I was named Designer of the Year by Simply Knitting magazine in 2017. I’ve also had the privilege of creating officially licensed patterns for beloved characters including Snoopy, Paddington Bear, The Beatles, and The Moomin family.
But here’s what really matters: I design clear, tech-edited patterns that actually work. No head-scratching moments. No frogging three times because the instructions were confusing. Just well-crafted patterns that let you enjoy the process while creating something wonderful. Whether you’re a grandparent knitting for your grandchildren or learning intarsia for the first time on a baby jumper, my patterns are designed to make you smile – and succeed.
How I Became a Knitting Pattern Designer
My journey into pattern design began with an entrepreneurial itch and a suitcase full of knitting needles.
Back in 2007, I launched a web shop importing knitting and crochet supplies that simply weren’t available in the UK yet. I became the UK distributor for Hiya Hiya needles and Schoppel Wolle yarn – both premium brands that I knew British crafters would love if they could just get their hands on them. I took my treasures to trade shows across the country, including the legendary Knitting and Stitching Show in London.
Here’s where it gets interesting: I started designing sock patterns specifically to showcase the gorgeous sock yarn I was selling. Nothing fancy – just clear, wearable designs that would make people fall in love with the yarn. Those shows became more than just business opportunities; I met customers who became friends over the years, and I discovered I genuinely loved the design process as much as the entrepreneurial side.
Then came the moment that changed everything. At one of those shows, an editor from Let’s Knit magazine approached me and asked if I’d design a pair of socks for their publication. I said yes before she’d finished asking. That conversation led to my first published pattern in February 2008 – Issue 3 of Let’s Knit magazine, featuring his and hers matching cable knit socks. (Yes, matching cables. I was committed to the romance of it all.)
That first publication opened doors I hadn’t even known existed. I began designing quirky accessories and homewares, honing my skills and developing my signature style – patterns that made people smile while teaching them something new. By 2009, I’d sold my retail business to focus entirely on pattern design. Nearly 18 years later, I haven’t looked back.
The Professional Bits (AKA Why You Can Trust Me With Your Yarn)
In 2017, Simply Knitting magazine named me Designer of the Year. I may have cried a little. (Okay, a lot.)
Since that first pair of socks in 2008, my patterns have appeared in Simply Knitting, The Knitter, Knit Now, Crochet Now, and more – essentially every major UK knitting and crochet magazine you can name. I’ve also contributed designs to various knitting books, including the delightfully titled *All You Knit Is Love: The Beatles Knitting Book*, where I designed three patterns: the Apple vest, the Hello Goodbye cushion, and the Rubber Soul floor cushion.
Over the years, I’ve been trusted with creating officially licensed patterns for some seriously beloved characters and brands: Miffy, The Clangers, Snoopy (for both children and adults), Paddington Bear, Moomin, and Wallace & Gromit. These collaborations taught me how to honor beloved characters while creating patterns that work beautifully – skills I bring to every design I create.
My work with King Cole Yarns has been particularly rewarding. I built their brand ambassador program from the ground up, and designed their *Scandi Knits Christmas* book – an entire collection of festive Nordic-inspired patterns. That project led to an hour of live television on Create and Craft TV, which was simultaneously terrifying and exhilarating. (I’d absolutely do it again.)
What Makes My Knitting & Crochet Patterns Special
We’ve all been there, you’re halfway through a pattern when you realize row 47 makes absolutely no sense, and you’re pretty sure the designer never actually test-knitted this thing. You’re frogging for the third time, your yarn is getting fuzzy, and you’re questioning all your life choices. I design patterns specifically to prevent those frustrations.
Every single pattern I create is professionally tech edited, which means a second pair of expert eyes checks every stitch count, instruction, and measurement before it reaches you. No mysterious gaps in the pattern. No “wait, where did those extra stitches come from?” moments. Just clear, concise instructions that let you focus on the joy of creating rather than decoding cryptic directions.
But here’s the thing, technically perfect patterns are only half the equation. My patterns are designed to be as much fun to make as they are to wear or gift. Many of my garments feature playful characters or cute little additions like matching toys. There’s something deeply satisfying about knitting a child’s jumper with a cheeky Snoopy on the front, or creating a cozy piece with a tiny companion to go along with it. These little touches of whimsy turn a straightforward knitting project into something that makes you smile with every row.
Perfect for Learning and Gift-Giving
My patterns are particularly beloved by two groups of knitters:
Grandparents knitting for their loved ones find that my designs combine the reliability they need (no pattern errors wasting precious time) with the charm that makes grandchildren’s faces light up. When you’re creating something with love for someone special, you want to know the pattern will work perfectly, and that the finished piece will be treasured.
Knitters building their skills discover that my baby and children’s garments are the perfect training ground for new techniques. Want to try intarsia for the first time? A baby jumper with a small motif lets you master the technique without committing to an adult-sized project. Learning cables? A children’s cardigan works up faster and uses less yarn than an adult version, so you can practice without the overwhelm. My clear instructions mean you’re actually learning the technique properly, not just muddling through and hoping for the best.
Whether you’re creating an heirloom for your grandchild or challenging yourself with learning intarsia on a baby garment, my patterns are designed to make the journey as rewarding as the destination.
Find your next learning project
You’ll Love My Patterns If…
- You’re a grandparent who wants to create something special that will be treasured for years.
- You’re a knitter ready to try intarsia or cables on a smaller project. You appreciate clear instructions and don’t want to waste time on pattern errors.
- You believe knitting should bring joy, not frustration.
- And you definitely think a jumper with a tiny matching toy is exactly the kind of whimsy the world needs more of.
Looking for tool and yarn recommendations?
I’ve put together a full kit list over here, with all my must haves.
The best pattern tips, new design launches, and yarn recommendations don’t happen on this page – they happen in my newsletter and on Instagram.
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When you subscribe to my newsletter, you’ll get: –
- Exclusive pattern discounts available only to subscribers
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- Behind-the-scenes peeks at works-in-progress and the design process
- Pure yarn joy, no fluff
Follow Along on Social Media
I share daily inspiration, work-in-progress photos, and connect with the yarn crafting community on:
- Instagram: @Jane.Burns.Designs where you’ll find finished projects, pattern sneak peeks, and the occasional knitting pun
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KnittingImage/
- Pinterest: https://uk.pinterest.com/janeburnsdesigner
I’m active on Ravelry as KnittingImage, where you can browse my pattern library, see projects made by other knitters and crocheters, and join the discussion in pattern forums.
Before you go, here are a few things you should probably know about me:
Yes, I once designed knitted judges for Harry Hill’s TV show “So You Think You Can Knit.” He sent me sketches, and I turned them into three-dimensional knitted characters. It remains one of the most wonderfully bizarre projects of my career, and I absolutely loved every minute of it.
My yarn stash is legendary. I stopped counting skeins years ago. If there’s ever a yarn shortage, you know where to find me.
I design with tea and cake. There’s something about a proper cup of tea and a slice of something sweet that makes the creative process flow. It’s not procrastination if it’s part of the ritual, right?
My studio assistant is a miniature schnauzer called Bertie who specializes in napping on yarn, stealing tape measures, and providing moral support during the ‘stare at wall and think’ phase of design.
Have questions? Would you like to collaborate with me? Please feel free to reach out at jane (at) janeburns.co.uk
If you’ve made it this far, you probably have a project in mind and someone special who deserves something handmade. Head over to the shop and find the pattern that you’ll be itching to cast on.