PDF vs Printed Knitting Patterns – What's the Difference?
When choosing a baby or reborn doll knitting pattern, you may have the option of buying a PDF pattern or a printed pattern. Both contain the knitting instructions you need to create the design, but the way you receive and use them is different.
At DollieBabies, PDF knitting patterns are manually emailed after purchase, while printed knitting patterns are physical paper copies sent by post.
Which is best for you depends on whether you prefer the flexibility of a digital pattern or simply enjoy knitting from a ready-printed paper copy.
PDF vs Printed Knitting Patterns at a Glance
| Feature | PDF Knitting Pattern | Printed Knitting Pattern |
|---|---|---|
| Format | Digital PDF file | Physical paper pattern |
| Delivery | Manually emailed after purchase | Sent by post |
| Delivery time | May involve a short wait for your personal email, but no postal delivery | Allow time for postal delivery |
| Pattern range | Full DollieBabies pattern range, including pattern books | Limited selection |
| Printing | Print at home if you want a paper copy | Arrives already printed |
| Printer required | Only if you want to work from paper | No |
| Digital copy | Yes | No PDF backup supplied |
| Reprinting | Can print another personal working copy if needed | No digital copy to reprint if lost or badly damaged |
| Use on a device | Yes | No |
| Enlarge text on screen | Yes | No |
| Patterns with video links | Available in PDF format | Not offered as printed patterns |
| Pattern books | Available | Not offered as printed copies |
| Availability | Available throughout the countries DollieBabies supplies with PDF patterns | England, Scotland and Wales only |
| Knitting instructions | Full knitting pattern | Full knitting pattern |
What Is a PDF Knitting Pattern?
A PDF knitting pattern is a digital file containing the knitting instructions for the design. It is not a finished knitted garment.
DollieBabies PDF knitting patterns are manually emailed after purchase rather than supplied as instant downloads. Because each pattern is sent personally, there may be a short wait depending on the time your order is placed.
Once received, you can read your pattern directly from a phone, tablet or computer, or print a working copy at home if you prefer knitting from paper.
Keeping the original PDF also means you can print another copy for your own use if your working copy becomes worn, lost or damaged.
PDF patterns are the lower-cost option at DollieBabies and give you access to the full pattern range.
Browse our Baby and Reborn Doll Knitting Patterns to explore the full PDF range.
What Is a Printed Knitting Pattern?
A printed DollieBabies knitting pattern is a physical paper copy of the knitting instructions, printed by DollieBabies and sent to you by post.
Printed patterns are ideal if you prefer working directly from paper and don't want to print the pattern yourself.
Because each pattern has to be physically printed using paper and ink, printed patterns cost considerably more to produce than PDF patterns. For this reason, the price of a printed pattern will be higher than its PDF equivalent.
A printed pattern purchase does not include a PDF backup copy. If the physical pattern is subsequently lost or badly damaged, there is no digital copy included with the original purchase to print again.
Printed patterns are available for delivery to England, Scotland and Wales only.
Browse our Printed Knitting Patterns to see the designs currently available in physical format.
Why Aren't All DollieBabies Patterns Available as Printed Patterns?
The full DollieBabies knitting pattern range is available in PDF format, while the printed range is more limited.
Some DollieBabies patterns contain links to supporting video tutorials. Patterns containing these links are offered in PDF format only, rather than as printed patterns.
DollieBabies knitting pattern books are also available in PDF format only because their size and weight make producing and posting them as physical printed copies impractical.
If you cannot find a printed version of a particular design, check our Baby and Reborn Doll Knitting Patterns for the PDF version.
What Are the Advantages of a PDF Knitting Pattern?
A PDF pattern may suit you best if you:
- want access to the full DollieBabies pattern range
- would like to keep a digital copy of your pattern
- want the option to print another personal working copy if necessary
- prefer reading or enlarging a pattern on a device
- want a pattern containing links to supporting video tutorials
- want to purchase one of our knitting pattern books
- live outside England, Scotland or Wales
- prefer the lower-cost pattern format
You don't have to choose between digital and paper when buying a PDF. You can keep the original digital file and still print a working copy to knit from.
What Are the Advantages of a Printed Knitting Pattern?
A printed pattern may be the better choice if you:
- prefer knitting directly from a paper pattern
- don't own or want to use a printer
- don't want to read knitting instructions from a screen
- would rather receive a ready-printed physical copy through the post
When the same design is available in both formats, the knitting instructions are the same. You're choosing the format that best suits the way you like to work.
Should I Choose a PDF or Printed Knitting Pattern?
Choose a PDF knitting pattern if you want the full choice of DollieBabies designs, a lower-cost option, a digital copy you can keep and reprint for your own use, or a design containing supporting video links.
Choose a printed knitting pattern if you live in England, Scotland or Wales, prefer working from a physical paper pattern and would rather have the printing done for you.
Whichever format you choose, please remember that you are purchasing knitting instructions to make the pictured design, not the finished knitted garment.
Choose Your DollieBabies Knitting Pattern
Ready to find your next project?
Browse our Baby and Reborn Doll Knitting Patterns for the full PDF range.
Or, if you prefer a physical copy, browse our Printed Knitting Patterns to see the designs currently available in printed format.
