Stitches

Is there a web site or maybe a computer program that helps design patterns. Crochet and Knitting?

I want to design a crochet pattern of my own. I need help!!! Can anyone point me in the right direction? Maybe I should clarify a little.......I would like to crochet a rug, with 8 sides....a large rug....i know the basics, i do not know where and when to increase...

Public Comments

1. There are a couple I can think of. One is Stitchpainter by Cochenille, which has both knitting and crochet pattens. The other is Sweater Design. There is one for designing crochet patterns. It is called www.crochetdesigns.com/software/default.htm Hope this helps.
2. There is a program you can order that has the true type symbols on it for making all kinds of patterns, not just filet which is sort of boring and I do on graph paper anyway. http://www.sbcrochet.com/crochetsoftware.shtml I think you want the second disc advertised on this site.
3. Here's a free crochet pattern for an octagon rug: http://www.crochetnmore.com/octagonrug.htm It's approximately two feet across. Once you see how the increases work I'm sure you can figure out how to make it even bigger.
4. the site below has 3 free downloadable programs for designing/creating knitting/crochet items - scroll down the page til you get to the chart with the downloads http://www.greatknitdesigns.com/download250.htm sweaters - for sweaters and cardigans basic - for pet outfits, dolls clothes and pants skirts and shawls - for skirts, ponchos and blankets you need the skirts and shawls one - it will allow you to design a pattern for any size you choose - all you have to do is work a test swatch in your favoured pattern and then input the gauge and the size you want - all the measurements are adjustable
5. Software can help knitters learn to design own patterns BY Sachit Daily News correspondent Published: September 15th, 2008 09:42 PM Last Modified: September 15th, 2008 10:23 PM I've been watching the campaigns on TV, and I've noticed that an important strength in the candidates is their tremendous self-confidence. Confidence is an important tool for needleworkers too. Click to enlarge Story tools Comments E-mail a friend Print Digg this Seed Newsvine Send link via AIM Yahoo! Buzz Font size : A | A | A You might be wondering how self-confidence could possibly make any difference in needlework, but I assure you it does. Just ask designers how they get started, or ask someone who just won a blue ribbon at the state fair. They already have that elusive tool in their needlework bag, but you can too. How do you get it? You earn it with long, hard work, lots of mistakes and many hours of tinking stitches in your knitting or unraveling row after row of crochet. It is the badge of honor you get because you were fearless enough to step out of that comfortable box with respect to your needlework. One easy way to begin to gain your stitching self-confidence is to begin working without a pattern. You might be breaking into a nervous sweat at the thought of going it on your own. I remember the feeling of utter confusion when faced with a few skeins of wool and no idea where to start. It is intimidating, that's true, but it is the most liberating road to gain real freedom as a stitcher, and you'll discover your self-confidence along the way. Get over the first hurdle by investing in one of the computer software programs for knitting designers. I purchased the Sweater Wizard for PCs a few years ago. Available from Knitting Software Inc. for about $90, it's also fully supported by Carol Wulster, its creator. You'll be able to design a template that will tell you how many yards or meters of fiber the pattern will need. If you don't have enough yarn, you can click in a shorter length, or eliminate the collar, etc., until you have the yardage equal to your stash. I knit up a small swatch to start, input the gauge of my fabric, adjust the yardage, and print out the directions that will help me get going. It's easy! You can even import it to Windows and write the finished pattern for your files. If you have no idea where to start, visit the mall, look through catalogs or your favorite fashion magazines for styles and colors you love. Head to the local yarn store and ask for assistance in picking a fiber to achieve that look. You will need to purchase more than the minimum yardage because you'll want the assurance that you have enough of the right dye lot to work up your idea. Most stores will exchange the unused skeins, but be sure to ask before you purchase. ADVERTISEMENT You now have yarn, a swatch, the pattern template and a general idea of what you want to end up with. What if you if you run into trouble? Well, you are certainly not alone. There are many other knitters and lots of crochet mavens who gather in cyberspace, trading questions, tips, tricks, patterns and even stashes. Probably the most visited "cyber" fiber group is Ravelry. More than 180,000 members offer designers, dyers, spinners, knitters and crocheters the support needed to venture out of the safety zone. You can sign up at www.ravelry.com for free. There are groups, patterns, stash and needle organizers, and even mailboxes for your new friends to correspond about your favorite fiber subjects. Another cyber support group is www.knittinguniverse.com, also known as knitu.com. This is a moderated support group supported by Knitter's magazine and XRX Inc., the folks who put the Stitches events together. This winter, you can get out of your rut, explore your talents and discover your knitting and crochet self-confidence. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sachit, interior designer, artist and professional knitwear designer, has lived in Alaska for 18 years. he is interim president of the Alaska State Yarn Council and past president of Knitters of the North. To reach his, e-mail twosticks@adnmail.com. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- KNITTERS OF THE NORTH OPEN MEETING: 1 to 3 p.m. Oct. 11, Pioneer School House, Third Avenue and Eagle Street. For more, call Janice Chulick at 561-3933 or visit groups.yahoo.com/group/Knitters_North. IDIDACHAIN CROCHET GUILD: Day of Crochet, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 27, Mountain View Lions Clubhouse, Mountain View Drive. For more information, call Debbie Meester at 562-1630 or Elaine Hollinger at 1-907-373-2535.