Stitches

How do I make a picture into a knitting pattern?

How do I take a picture from my computer, and turn it into a knitting pattern? I found a software that did it right on the computer a long time ago, and I can't seem to find it again. Any suggestions, I don't want to spend money, if I don't have to on this, but I really want this picture to be a knitting pattern!

Public Comments

1. Have you tried google, type in this, turning a picture into a knitting pattern....I bet it will lead you to a site where you're told how to do this....give it a try !!!!!!!!
2. Creating a knitting pattern mathematically (with calculator if needs be) is usually more reliable. Figure out the correct gauge for the yarn and needles you'll be using. Find the measurements for the garment you'll be making and use the gauge (and possibly your calculator) to figure out how many stitches to cast on. (If the bottom of the sweater needs to be 20" across and your gauge is 4 stitches per inch, you'd need to cast on 80 stitches, obviously.) Then, figure out how far up you go before starting whatever pattern you're using. Do the math, and it;'ll all work out fine. Be sure to check your math, though. Also, make sure you WRITE EVERYTHING DOWN! You'll never remember what you did on the back when it's time to make the front, even though you think you will. Write all your instructions down as you go. Feel free to email me with further questions, if you decide to go this route. Click on my avatar for an email link.
3. I am not sure that taking a picture and turning it into knitting is what you really want. Is this picture in black and white? Is it multi-colored? If it is in color you will have a lot of thread changing to do, going from one color to the next, and each skein of yarn you get will be about $2.00 if not more, so figure out how many colors you are going to use. You can get the floss to do cross stitch for about $.25 a skein. If it is in black and white there is also the carrying across the pattern. I think you may want to try and do a cross stitch with it as the squares in cross stitch is 14 squares equals one inch. {There are several other gauges} In knitting you may have 4 stitches per inch, so your project could be massive. If you want to do it in cross stitch contact me check my avitar to e-mail me and I can let you know how to transfer your picture to cross stitch and with the directions you will be told what you will need to do it.
4. Well, first you need some graph paper for knitters in the same squares size as your knitting gauge is for stitches and rows per inch, which means the stuff from the office supply store probably won't work correctly, since it will alter the proportions of your picture. Then, using the graph paper in your paper tray, photocopy your picture onto it. Then see what it looks like, remembering that half squares or rounded features aren't going to show up correctly on either the graph paper or in the knitting. While the program you are remembering is probably Stitch and Motif Maker, which is still just as pricey and just as available, it isn't perfect for this. There are services out there that will do this for a fee, too.
5. Hi, knitpro is such a system, it is available here: http://www.microrevolt.org/ (go to the bottom of the page and click on the link to knitpro).