Knitting Software
The following is a list of software which can be used
for knitting. Software that is free will be marked with
FREE in the title. Some require you to convert the
patterns for the loom. Please contact the manufacturers
to let them know that you'd like loom knitting options.
Your voice will be heard!
If there is software you think should be added, please
contact me.
Click on the link below to go to jump to the area are
interested in.
- Charting: allows you to chart your patterns or use it to convert your needle knitting patterns
- Font: knitting fonts for creating your own charts in your favorite word processor or spreadsheet or use it to convert your needle knitting patterns
- Graph paper: graph paper created to the size of your gauge, use it to chart your patterns or convert needle knitting patterns
- Math: software to help you work out knitting math such as where increases and decreases should go, converting from one gauge to another, etc.
- Sock: software to help you create patterns for socks
- Sweater: software to help you create patterns for sweaters
AranPaint+PLUSOS: Windows: 95, 98, ME, 2000, NT, XP, Vista
A demo version is available. Please contactLisa Hounshell and
let her know that you are interested in loom knitting
features.
From their website: AranPaint+PLUS is a one-of-a-kind
software program for creating textured knitting
stitch patterns quickly and easily. This "big
sister" of AranPaint provides an extensive
library of stitches including cables, yarn
overs, decorative increases/decreases, bobbles, slipped
stitches, plus many more, which can be arranged on the
screen to build a virtual representation
of a stitch pattern. Another unique tool included with
AranPaint+PLUS is the Raised Motif
Designer. Use Raised Motifs to create a
highly-textured, or embossed effect. Once created, each
Raised Motif can be painted onto the stitch pattern in
the same way as the individual stitches. AranPaint+PLUS
also generates fully-editable documents
containing all the information about the pattern,
including pattern designer, size of the pattern ,
stitch key, along with choice of chart, text or
both. Documents can be printed out and shared
with friends, transferred to compatible PDAs, posted on
the internet, or inserted into other documents such as
sweater pattern leaflets. AranPaint+PLUS is fun and
easy to use, and anyone wishing to create truly
original designs will find it invaluable. With
AranPaint+PLUS, "cables and lace are all in their
place".
OS: Independent; Java must be enabled in your
browser
Free on-line charting software. See Jacquie's blog for details about
operation. Jacquie would appreciate feedback so
don't forget to drop her a line.
OS: Windows XP, Mac OSX
A demo version is available. Please note: The next
version will have options for loom knitting!!
From their website: Knit Visualizer was created to
assist in building charts from knitting patterns almost
automatically, it does that and so much more.
- Extensive stitch library lets you easily pick stitches to paint in your chart
- Easy to read symbols for over 40 common stitches and over 75 different cable stitches.
- Type in a stitch pattern to see a chart created for you. Interprets circular and flat patterns easily.
- Chart savvy copy/duplicate/insert commands let you copy and paste repeated rows or columns or entire sections easily
- Apply borders to emphasize cables or indicate areas to repeat
- Zoom in & out for different font sizes
- Automatically generates a legend based on the stitches in the chart - including (optional) instructions for each stitch
- Professional chart & legend can be printed or exported to an image file
- Printing features:
- See how your chart will span multiple pages before you print
- Scale to print more on one page
- 5 different layouts let you organize chart, legend and notes
- Optionally include Title, Source/Author, Notes & Legend in your printout
- Extra symbols included for fair isle patterns
- 50 level Undo/Redo
- Handles rows of different sizes using Empty Cells (great for sleeves & shawls)
- Create new empty chart pre-filled with knit, purl or no stitches.
- Save chart & preferences to file
Stitch &
Motif Maker, Version 3.0OS: Windows 98, ME, NT, 2000, XP, Vista
A demo version is available. Please contactKnitting
Software and let them know that you are interested
in loom knitting features. It is currently on their
"wish list" so input from you will make a difference.
From their website: Stitch & Motif Maker V3 is a
program specifically developed for design stitch and
color patterns for knitting. Whether you want to design
your own motif or use an existing textured stitch,
Stitch and Motif Maker allows you to draw in color or
common knitter's symbols. Be sure to download the demo
and try your hand at painting a stitch or motif with
color or symbols.
Please explore the links at the left to preview the new
Stitch & Motif Maker. Be sure to download the demo.
Experiment with the program. Determine if it is right
for you.
OS: Windows and Mac OSX
From their website: This True Type font contains a
selection of knitting symbols. Individuals and
self-publishers are free to use this font to develop
knitting stitch diagrams for personal or professional
use without royalty payments to the font
designer.
OS: Windows and Mac OSX
From their website: Knitter's Symbols Fonts are a pair
of what are called Pi fonts—fonts that allow you to
type alphanumeric characters but substitute graphic
shapes for the letters and numbers. (The ubiquitous
Zapf Dingbats is one example of a pi font.) The
characters in these fonts are rectangular and are
generally in the proportion of 7 wide to 5 tall. You
can type your proposed chart into any word-processing
program using any font that you please, then change to
either of the Knitter's Symbols fonts and have a
perfectly-drawn chart for your knitting. The fonts are
available as Windows TrueType, Macintosh TrueType, and
as OpenType fonts that can be used on either platform.
Note that not all software supports the use of the full
capabilities of OpenType fonts—Adobe InDesign 2, Adobe
Illustrator 10, and Adobe Photoshop 7 are among
them—but most word-processors will allow you to use
these fonts as if they were normal TrueType fonts.
OS: Independent
If you require the graph paper fit to your gauge
exactly, this page will make it! Free, on-line service.
Graph paper is portrait and size A4.
Free Online Graph Paper / Grid
Paper PDFs — FREEOS: Independent
Many different styles of graph paper available for page
size 8.5x11, 11x14, A4, A3 and others. You set the
square size number of squares per row.
Print-A-GridOS: Windows: 95, 98, 98SE, ME, 2000, NT, XP
Please contactKnitting
Software and let them know that you are interested
in loom knitting features. It is currently on their
"wish list" so input from you will make a difference.
From their website: Print-A-Grid was written with all
crafters in mind and for anyone who just needs to print
graph paper to custom specifications.
Imagine graph paper at your finger tips anytime you
need it. The price of the software is less than a full
pad at the art store.
- Graph Paper
- Graph paper to knitting gauge
- Graph paper for needlepoint canvas
- Graph paper for counted cross stitch
Knitting Math
WizardOS: Windows: 98, ME, 2000, NT, XP, Vista
A demo version is available. Please contactKnitting
Software and let them know that you are interested
in loom knitting features. It is currently on their
"wish list" so input from you will make a difference.
From their website: Always searching for new innovative
ways to mesmerize her users; The Wizard has cast a
mathematical spell!
Knitting Math Wizard is the answer to the hand
knitter's prayers. As one user describes, "Wow - she's
done it again".
Knitting Calculation Without Trepidation! Expressly
designed to eliminate pattern reading stress, the
Knitting Math Wizard eases the phobias of the
"mathematically challenged" or relieves time consuming
preparation. Never be stymied by the lines "place
buttonholes evenly" or "increase evenly across the
row".
OS: Independent
The Arachne Sock Calculator is a free on-line sock
pattern calculator created by E. Stockes Reynolds.
Simply enter the gauge and measurements and select hand
knitting. You will need to convert the flat knitting
portion of the directions. Please contact the author
and let her know that you are interested in having her
add instructions for the loom.
Sock Wizard Mac, Version
1.0OS: OS X 10.4 (Tiger) or later
Please contactKnitting
Software and let them know that you are interested
in loom knitting features. It is currently on their
"wish list" so input from you will make a difference.
From their website: Sock Wizard Mac is our first foray
into the world of the MAC. Sock Wizard Mac is written
in Cocoa, the language of OS X. It works equally well
on a Mac and Mac running Intel Duo Processors.
The Apple environment enhances Knitting Software's
commitment to a user friendly applications. Sock Wizard
Mac generates a fully detailed sock pattern
within minutes.
Sock Wizard Mac includes the Next Step Heel/Toe
(diagonals) that I developed for the book Socks! The
Next Step. It also introduces The Ultimate Heel/Toe
which I developed in honor of this program.
Sock Wizard Guide, the program's help system, is not an
ordinary software manual. In addition to guiding the
user through the software, Sock Wizard Guide is a
mini-book on sock knitting. Even if you have never knit
a sock, you can do so with the text instructions from a
Sock Wizard pattern, and the pictorial renditions in
the guide.
Sock Wizard PC, Version
2.0OS: Windows 98, XP, Vista
A demo version is available. Please contactKnitting
Software and let them know that you are interested
in loom knitting features. It is currently on their
"wish list" so input from you will make a difference.
From their website:Sock Wizard V2 is now the
penultimate program generating detailed sock patterns
using your size, your gauge and your yarn.
Sock Wizard is so easy to use, that your needles will
be clicking in minutes. You will never be without a
'carry along' project again.
Whether you love the rhythm of knitting socks on
double-pointed needles or are addicted to the speed of
knitting socks on one circular needle, Sock Wizard is
the program for you.
Sweater Wizard,
Version 3OS: Windows 98, ME, NT, 2000, XP, Vista
A demo version is available. Please contactKnitting
Software and let them know that you are interested
in loom knitting features. It is currently on their
"wish list" so input from you will make a difference.
From their website: Sweater Wizard generates schematics
and text directions for sweaters customized to the
knitters specifications. Sweaters may be charted for
flat or round knitting, using any gauge. The knitter
can generate schematics for several sweaters in the
same session and is only limited by the amount of RAM
in the PC.
The diagram representing the schematic of the sweater
is scaled to lengths and widths provided by the user,
giving the user the general look of the proportion of
the sweater. Knitting Software is thrilled that Sweater
Wizard is in its third iteration. The program has grown
in options through the years.
Sweater Wizard Version 3 offers so many styling options
that we have given up trying to calculate a definitive
number.
Sweater Wizard has remained true to its original goal,
ease of use. It is so user friendly, that many knitters
are in and out in minutes with a pattern in hand.
Measurements in US Standard or Metric.
