Inclusion and Accessibility Statement
Inclusion for Every Body
Hi! I’m Talena Winters, the knitwear designer behind My Secret Wish Knitting, and I am obsessed with accessibility. I want to create a warm knitting community where everyone feels welcome. Because of this, I’ve been in an ongoing effort since 2019 to create knitting patterns written and designed to be inclusive, ensuring that they can be enjoyed by people of all body types and abilities. With every pattern or tutorial I make, I aim to provide clear, easy-to-follow instructions that enable you to create cozy, handcrafted pieces you’ll love.
What does this mean, though?
I include a wide range of sizes for every pattern and include instructions for alterations for a range of body types to empower you to create garments that fit your body.
I use gender-neutral language for size ranges when designs could be used for any fashion sensibility.
I accommodate both right-handed knitters and left-handed mirror knitters in my patterns and tutorials.
I write my patterns in plain language and, besides the typical printable PDFs, I make them available in two low-vision formats: screen reader accessible large print PDFs and ePUB.
I support makers from any background in my interactions and work with inclusive companies as suppliers.
While updating older patterns is an ongoing effort, in the future, I plan to provide even more resources in my tutorials library for altering designs for specific body shapes and concerns.
Welcome to my little corner of the knitting community. I’m so excited you’re here.
Our Commitment to Accessibility
I believe everyone should be able to enjoy the art of knitting, regardless of their abilities. Therefore, I have taken steps to make my platform more user-friendly and inclusive as follows:
Low Vision Knitters
Text Resizing: This website allows users to easily adjust the font size to their preference using their browser settings, ensuring that all knitting instructions and text are readable.
Images: Any image descriptions or text on images is included in the ALT-text to allow those using assistive technology to gain the same information as those who do not.
High Contrast: The colour palette uses a high contrast ratio between the text and background to improve visibility.
Text Considerations: The website and print-challenged pattern formats use boldface text instead of italics for emphasis or titles.
Hearing Impaired Knitters
Please note that I am in the early stages of updating our older content to provide accessibility for hearing impaired knitters. Any new content and updated older content will incorporate the following accessibility features:
Closed Captioning: All new video tutorials will be accompanied by closed captioning (with an ongoing effort to update older content).
Transcripts: Transcripts will be provided for any audio content, including podcasts and interviews.
Left-Handed Mirror Knitters
I strive to make my patterns accessible to both right-handed and left-handed (mirror) knitters by using hand-neutral terminology whenever possible. Instead of directional terms like right and left, my patterns use terms such as dominant and non-dominant hand, working and non-working needle, and leading or trailing stitch to ensure clarity for all knitters. While some patterns may still include traditional directional language, I am actively converting them to this more inclusive approach.
For patterns with directional stitch constructions, I provide separate charts for both right- and left-handed knitters to minimize mental adjustments. My goal is to create a knitting experience that is as intuitive and accessible as possible for all makers. To learn more about why left-hand inclusion matters, read this blog post.
My Patterns and Accessibility
I am in an ongoing process to make every pattern on my platform accessible to low vision knitters. Each pattern listing contains an accessibility statement and clearly lists what formats the pattern is available in. Go here to find the current catalogue of Low Vision Accessible patterns.
All patterns are:
Colour Blind Accessible: All text is black or very high-contrast, and colour is never the only means used to convey meaning in pattern instructions.
Left-Handed Inclusive: Instructions are given in terms of hand dominance and working needles, not right and left hands. As of March 2025, I am in an ongoing effort to update my patterns to also use hand-neutral terms for directional stitches such as cables and increases. Read this blog post to learn more.
Pattern Formats
Bookmarked (Standard) PDF
All of my patterns are available in this format.
Features include bookmarks that link directly to various sections for easy navigation, ALT-text descriptions on all images, embedded fonts within the document so it retains its original formatting, fully written out instructions for any charts, minimal abbreviation usage to make the pattern easier to understand, and being written in plain language.
This type of document is best for sighted knitters who want to navigate a PDF easily or for use as a printed document.
Screen Reader Accessible Large-Print PDF
Patterns available in this format will be indicated in the pattern description.
This type of document is a screen-reader-accessible PDF that can be read aloud using text-to-speech options and navigated via document headers. However, fonts may not be embedded and may display improperly. The document uses Verdana font at minimum 24 points. All text is in a single column and left-justified with no italics. Text uses plain language with no abbreviations.
All images have ALT-text descriptions. Any charts are also fully written out. If this pattern contains charts, they are at an appropriate scale for Large Print. If the chart is large and will need to be pieced from several pages, the chart will be available separately. It isn’t necessary to use the charts to complete the pattern.
Documents are tested using Adobe Reader on a PC and an Android phone.
Plain-Language EPUB
Patterns available in this format will be indicated in the pattern description.
Similar to the screen reader accessible large-print PDF, EPUB documents have been edited so text makes sense and flows smoothly when read aloud, and no abbreviations are used. Each section is bookmarked as a chapter. The ePUB can be read aloud by an eReader or the font can be resized using eReader settings. The pattern sections can be read straight through without having to return to earlier sections unless you need to refer to something such as a note, technique, or stitch explanation.
All images have captions to explain context, but they are not necessary to understand the pattern. If the pattern includes charts, large-scale charts are also available in a separate Large-Print PDF, and all charted instructions are also written out. It isn’t necessary to use the charts to complete the pattern.
This format is excellent for anyone who wants reflowable, resizable text or who wants to use the other benefits of screen reader apps.
Pattern Delivery
Patterns are delivered directly through a download link at checkout. For patterns offered in multiple formats, the download file is a ZIP folder containing all included files. If you need help unzipping your folder to access your files, see the instructions on the following page: Unzip Files.
Get in Touch
I am continually improving my platform and products to provide better accessibility and a better experience for everyone. If you have any suggestions, questions, or concerns regarding the accessibility of my platform or products, please reach out to me through my contact form. I value your feedback and would love to hear how I can address your particular needs or concerns.
Thank you for being here. Knitting is for everyone, and at My Secret Wish Knitting, you’re always welcome, just as you are.
Join me in crafting a more inclusive and vibrant world, one stitch at a time.
Warmly,
Talena | The Yarn Mermaid