Hook Satisfied / The filing system
Five feels, and the stitches behind each.
Every pattern here is filed under one of these, by reading its rounds against the stitch table below. The table is the whole method; there is nothing else to it.
Squish
Stitches worked several loops at a time and closed together, so they bulge. The fabric is thick, soft and slow to work, and it eats yarn.
Stitches the table looks for: puff, puffs, puff st, puff stitch, bobble, bobbles, popcorn, popcorns, pc, bo, berry st, trinity st
Nothing filed here yet
Ridge
Stitches worked around the post of the row below, or into one loop only, so the surface ribs and folds. Stretchy across the ribs, firm along them.
Stitches the table looks for: fpdc, bpdc, fptr, bptr, fpsc, bpsc, fphdc, bphdc, front post, back post, blo, flo, back loop, front loop, back loops only, front loops only, third loop, rib, ribbing, ribbed
Nothing filed here yet
Lace
More chain than stitch. Light, open and quick to grow, and it wants blocking at the end to show the pattern.
Stitches the table looks for: ch-sp, ch sp, ch-space, chain space, chain-space, ch-1 sp, ch-2 sp, ch-3 sp, ch-4 sp, ch-5 sp, shell, shells, picot, picots, mesh, filet, v-st, v st, v-stitch, fan, fans
Dense
Short stitches with no gaps, usually in a spiral. Firm enough to hold stuffing and keep a shape.
Stitches the table looks for: sc, single crochet, sc2tog, inv dec, invisible decrease, magic ring, magic loop, mr, hdc, half double, hdc2tog
Drape
Tall stitches with a little space between them. The fabric moves, folds over a hand and grows fast; the shape comes from the joins, not the stitch.
Stitches the table looks for: dc, double crochet, tr, treble, trc, dtr, dc2tog, tr2tog, dc3tog, 3-dc, 3 dc
What the filing does not say
It does not say how hard a pattern is. A feel is about the fabric, not the maker. Where the designer gave a skill level it is printed beside the pattern in their own words.
It does not say how long a pattern takes. The round count is printed on every card, which is a better guide.
It does not judge the design. Two patterns filed under squish can look nothing alike; they will both be thick and soft under your hands, which is what the word is for.