Knitting

Free Patterns, Tutorials and Project Ideas

Knitting Goes Hi-Tech.

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So you’re ready to take your knitting to the next level, raise the bar, go high tech? Do we have the answer for you!
Software designed for the knitter, enabling you to make up your own patterns and designs without fiddling with all that fussy math.

Here are some I’ve found:
Knitware – Knitting and crochet pattern design software for hand knitters, machine knitters, and crocheters

Here’s a Random Stripe Generator, from Biscuits and Jam, it generates random stripe patterns for knitting sweaters, scarves, blankets, etc. It’ll give you an idea of what the finished sweater will look like, but it still leaves some unpredictability to the stripe pattern.

Of course, there’s the ever popular, Sweater Wizard. This program generates schematics and text directions for sweaters customized to the knitter’s specifications. Sweaters may be charted for flat or round knitting, using any gauge.

Knitware has a free trial. This program designs for hand and machine knitters as well as crocheters.

Swatch Wizard calculates your rows and stitches to give you an accurate guage. It will NOT, however, knit your swatch for you 😉

The Sole Solution provides hundreds of sock patterns for the price of about 5-6 individual patterns.

DesignaKnit touts itself as being professional design software. Complete with lace and cable modules, this looks to be for machine knitters.

And last but not least, at Woodland Woolworks you can find Sock Wizard, Stitch and Motif Maker, Sweater Wizard and Print a Grid.

Don’t forget to enter our Knitting Stuff Giveaway! Just leave me a comment, making sure to give me your email address. I’ll pick a winner on 1.1.09.

Comments

  2. Thanks for the links, I am having fun checking them out! I have never designed my own knitwear, but I may start now.

    Jane

Have you read?

Pencil Knitting Patterns

Getting ready for back to school makes me think about pencil crafts, so let’s take a look at some pencil themed knitting patterns! 

I recently made a pencil on a circular knitting machine, and it was a fun, quick, easy project that uses little bits of leftover yarn (and if you don’t have yellow you can make it a colored pencil using whatever color’s your favorite). And if you want to make a bigger version check out this pattern from Orange Olive Road on Etsy.

If you want to knit a pencil pillow by hand, check out Sketchy, available on Ravelry from Shana S. Cohen. This one uses worsted weight yarn and has two size options and the choice to make a pencil with an eraser or a colored pencil. 

Pencil scarves seem to be the most popular kind of pencil knitting pattern, and there are lot of cute ones. This one from Cosy Craft UK mostly uses garter stitch, with some welts to add texture and what looks like an I-cord edging. It calls for DK weight yarn. 

If you want to go all garter stitch try this version from Emsley Co Creations, which uses five colors of DK weight yarn and just a little shaping to make the point of the pencil.

There’s also this fun, mostly stockinette so it looks like it curls a bit, pencil pattern that looks like it’s worked in chunky yarn from Little Knits Studio. This one uses just a little garter stitch and easy shaping for the point. 

If you don’t want a pencil scarf, how about some pencil socks? The No. 2 Pencil Socks from The Yarn Enabler are available from Ravelry and use five colors of sock yarn. They feature wide ribs to mimic the texture of a pencil and have options to be worked from the top down or the toe up. 

Needs Sharpening by Alexander Walker is a free pattern on Ravelry that uses five colors of sock yarn to make a sort of shortie sock. The little bit of black at the tips of the toes inspired the name. These, too, can be worked in either direction and are available in three sizes.