How to sort pattern tutorials by length for craft hobbyists in 2026

Q: Which browsers support YTSort?

The YTSort extension needs Chrome or Edge. The script version works in any browser, including Firefox, when Tampermonkey, Violentmonkey or Greasemonkey is installed. YTSort is also available as a bookmark that runs the tool.

Learn how to sort knitting, crochet and other craft pattern tutorials by video length, compare manual methods and YTSort, and plan a useful watch order.

By XP Daily · 2026-10-27

XP Daily is published by the makers of DaysAid, QuickDictate and YTSort, which are compared here alongside other tools.

To sort pattern tutorials by length, list the videos and their durations, then arrange them from shortest to longest or longest to shortest. For YouTube playlists you own, YTSort is a free browser tool that reorders videos by length in either direction. ^[1]

Option	How it orders videos	Price and requirements
Paper list or sticky note	You rank each tutorial by its recorded duration.	Depends on the materials already available; no software requirement is specified.
Spreadsheet	You sort tutorial rows using a duration column you fill in.	The cost and available features depend on the spreadsheet app; check its current details.
YouTube playlist	You arrange the videos in the playlist yourself.	Check the available playlist controls and requirements.
YTSort	Reorders a YouTube playlist you own by video length, shortest or longest first. ^[1]	Free; available as a bookmark, browser script or Chrome Web Store extension. ^[1] ^[1]

What you need before you start

Sorting pattern tutorials by length can help you choose a short knitting demonstration during a break or set aside a longer session for a detailed crochet project. Before rearranging your videos, gather the playlist, the video lengths and a clear idea of how you want to watch them.

A list of tutorials. Start with the YouTube playlist that contains the knitting, crochet, sewing or other craft videos you want to organize. If the tutorials are scattered across different playlists, make a separate list of the videos you want to compare.
The duration of each video. Use the length shown on each YouTube thumbnail or video page. Record the title and duration together so you can identify every tutorial later.
A sorting direction. Shortest first can help you find a quick technique demonstration. Longest first can help you start with a detailed pattern walkthrough while you have more time.
Notes about the project. Some patterns need several techniques learned in sequence. Mark tutorials that explain essential earlier steps so that sorting by length does not upset your learning order.
A place to keep the new order. A paper list, spreadsheet or playlist can hold your sorted results. If you want a tool to reorder a YouTube playlist, have access to a playlist you own and a compatible browser.

Decide whether duration alone should determine the order or whether some lessons need to stay together. That choice helps you avoid putting a short finishing tutorial ahead of the technique needed to understand it.

Step by step

These steps work whether you organize tutorials by hand, use a spreadsheet or choose a browser tool. The aim is to create an order that reflects the time available for your craft sessions without losing track of how the pattern is taught.

Choose the tutorials to organize. Open the playlist or make a list of the knitting, crochet or other craft tutorials you want to watch. Keep the list focused on the project or skill you are working on.

Record each video's title and length. Look at the duration shown on YouTube and write it next to the correct title. Include every video you want to sort, rather than recording only the tutorials visible at the top of the playlist.

Decide which direction to use. Choose shortest to longest if you want to fit brief demonstrations into small gaps in your day. Choose longest to shortest if you would rather begin with the more time-consuming tutorials. Either order can be useful for a different schedule.

Mark tutorials that depend on earlier lessons. A pattern might introduce stitches or techniques before showing how to assemble the finished item. Note these dependencies before applying a strict duration order. You can keep related lessons together if watching them out of sequence would make the instructions harder to follow.

Arrange the durations. For a paper list, move the shortest or longest entries into the order you chose. In a spreadsheet, put the durations in one column and arrange the rows by that column. Keep each title attached to its duration throughout the process.

Review the proposed order. Read the titles from top to bottom. Check whether a required technique now appears after a tutorial that depends on it. If necessary, preserve the learning sequence for that group instead of following duration alone.

Apply the order to your playlist if needed. If the videos are in a YouTube playlist you own, you can reorder them manually or use a tool that sorts the playlist by duration. YTSort can reorder a playlist you own from shortest to longest or longest to shortest. ^[1]

Check the result. Compare the playlist against your intended order before settling in to knit, crochet or sew. If you use YTSort, its preview shows the order before and after sorting so you can review the changes before applying them. ^[1]

Choose a tutorial for your available time. Start at the top if you arranged the videos in your preferred direction. If you have a short break, use the durations to find a tutorial that fits. Leave longer demonstrations for a session when you can follow the instructions without rushing.

Adjust the list as the project develops. After learning a new stitch or completing a section of a pattern, review which tutorial should come next. A duration-based order is a planning aid, so change it when the project's learning sequence calls for a different approach.

Tools that can do it

You can organize pattern tutorials without a dedicated sorting tool. The right approach depends on how many videos you want to arrange, whether they are already in a YouTube playlist and whether you want to change the playlist itself.

Paper list or sticky note. Write down each tutorial title and duration, then rank the entries by hand. This is a straightforward way to plan a craft session or keep a short list of demonstrations beside your knitting or crochet project.

A spreadsheet. Put tutorial titles in one column and durations in another. Sort the rows by duration to create a shortest-first or longest-first list. Check the instructions and available features of the spreadsheet app you choose if you need to know its cost or limits.

The YouTube playlist. You can use a playlist you own as the place to keep the videos in your preferred order. To sort manually, you need to arrange the entries yourself.

YTSort. YTSort is made by the team that publishes this site, XP Daily. It is a free browser tool that reorders a YouTube playlist you own by video length, shortest or longest first. ^[1] It can sort the full playlist rather than only the videos loaded on screen. ^[1] It shows the before and after order so you can check it before applying. ^[1] It can sort only videos within a length range and move the rest to the end. ^[1] It also shows total, average, shortest and longest video duration for the playlist. ^[1]

YTSort is available as a bookmark, a browser script or a Chrome Web Store extension. ^[1] The extension needs Chrome or Edge. ^[1] The script version works in any browser, including Firefox, with Tampermonkey, Violentmonkey or Greasemonkey installed. ^[1] YTSort is free, and all installation options include the same features. ^[1]

Choose a paper list or spreadsheet when you mainly need a personal viewing plan. If you want the order changed directly in a YouTube playlist you own, consider a playlist-sorting tool.

Common mistakes to avoid

Sorting by duration without considering the pattern. A short tutorial may explain a technique needed for a longer demonstration. Mark essential lessons and keep them in a useful sequence when duration alone would cause confusion.

Recording the wrong video length. Similar tutorial titles can be easy to mix up. Write the duration beside the exact title and check both before rearranging the list.

Leaving out videos. If your list contains only the tutorials visible on screen, you may overlook other videos in the playlist. Check the complete list before deciding that the order is finished. YTSort can sort the full playlist rather than only the videos loaded on screen. ^[1]

Applying the order without reviewing it. A duration-based arrangement may place an introductory lesson after a more advanced demonstration. Review the proposed order first. YTSort shows the before and after order so you can check the changes before applying them. ^[1]

Forgetting why the videos were sorted. Shortest first may be useful when time is limited, while longest first may suit a longer session. Keep the reason for the chosen order in mind so the list continues to help with your craft routine.

Assuming every tool works the same way. Check whether an option creates a separate list or changes a YouTube playlist, which browsers it supports and what it costs. For a browser tool, confirm its requirements before installing it.

Things to check before you choose

Before settling on a method, consider what the sorted list needs to do for your craft routine.

Playlist ownership. If you want to change a YouTube playlist directly, confirm that you own it and can access its editing controls.
Learning order. Decide whether all videos can be arranged strictly by duration or whether some tutorials need to remain in sequence.
Complete coverage. Check whether your method accounts for every video you want to include, not only the entries currently visible.
A preview before changes. If you want to inspect the new order before applying it, check whether the tool offers a preview.
Duration limits. If you only want tutorials within a particular time range, check whether the tool can filter videos by length and what happens to the videos outside that range.
Browser requirements. Confirm which browser and any additional software are required before choosing an extension or script.
The information you want to keep. If you want to record durations, titles and other details for future planning, check whether your chosen method lets you save or export that information.

For a small group of tutorials, a written list may be enough. For a YouTube playlist that needs to be reordered by duration, a browser tool can reduce the amount of manual arranging.

Frequently asked questions

How can craft hobbyists sort pattern tutorials by length?

Record the title and duration of each tutorial, then arrange the list from shortest to longest or longest to shortest. A paper list or spreadsheet works for planning your viewing order. For a YouTube playlist you own, YTSort can reorder the videos by length in either direction. ^[1]

Can YTSort sort knitting and crochet tutorials by duration?

YTSort reorders a YouTube playlist you own by video length, from shortest to longest or longest to shortest. ^[1] The videos need to be in a playlist you own for the tool to reorder that playlist.

Can YTSort show the playlist order before sorting?

Yes. YTSort shows the before and after order so you can check the proposed changes before applying them. ^[1] Review the order with the needs of the craft pattern in mind before proceeding.

Which browsers support YTSort?

The YTSort extension needs Chrome or Edge. ^[1] The script version works in any browser, including Firefox, when Tampermonkey, Violentmonkey or Greasemonkey is installed. ^[1] YTSort is also available as a bookmark that runs the tool. ^[1]

Is YTSort free for sorting craft tutorials?

Yes. YTSort is free, and all its installation options include the same features. ^[1] You can choose the bookmark, browser script or Chrome Web Store extension according to the requirements of your browser and how you want to run it. ^[1]

Can YTSort sort only short pattern tutorials?

YTSort can sort videos within a specified length range and move the remaining videos to the end of the playlist. ^[1] Decide what duration range is useful for your available time, then review the resulting order to make sure the tutorials still follow a sensible learning sequence.

Should knitting and crochet tutorials always be sorted shortest first?

Not necessarily. Shortest-first ordering can help when you have limited time, while longest-first ordering can help you begin with a longer demonstration. Some patterns also depend on learning techniques in sequence. Keep related lessons together when changing their order would make the instructions harder to follow.

YTSort is free; all install options include the same features. ^[1]

Try YTSort

Sources

YTSort's own description of itself (the product of this site's publisher)