Design app for on the go for iOS
There are quite a few apps you can use to create diagrams of your favourite crochet or knit patterns but so far, I haven’t been able to find one for a mobile device, like a tablet, until now, that is.
A few years ago I decided to retire my old Air Mac laptop and after weighing the pros and cons, I decided on an iPad for my design needs and haven’t looked back since. Once you use the pencil on the iPad screen with a paper-like screen protector, it really feels amazing. I’m not going to get all excited with you, explaining how great the texture is when using the pencil, the name of the screen protector already is self explanatory! Ha! Together with the Apple pencil which is amazing enough as it is (bye Wacom drawing tablet and computer), you’ll understand how awesome an iPad is as a design tool, and best of all, a great tool to use on the go. After all these years using several design apps, none of which I enjoyed enough, as a tool for making crochet diagrams on the iPad. I just gave up on the whole idea until today. I opened up the Goodnotes app, installed the new Goodnotes 6 trial version and challenged myself to making a granny square diagram.
Not only can you you take notes, which I’ve be been doing for years, but drawing would be so easy! OH MY GOD! Why didn’t I think of this before?
The first thing I needed was to add a concentric circle as a template. Like the one I am using below:
Then you just draw/create the symbols you need and you can copy-paste each one as you go along. Once you finish the circular portion of the granny square, just change the background to one of the square grid or dot templates, to help you align the rest of your symbols around the circular part of your granny square. The end result is not perfect but with practice, it can end up looking really professional.
Here is the finished diagram I made of a flower granny square, it’s not amazing but it’s very legible and easy to understand. That is, if you know how to read crochet diagrams.
I highly recommend crochet designers to include patterns with diagrams of their designs. Not everyone writes the same way and it’s easy to lose place of where you’re reading the text as you crochet. Reading a pattern with a graphic is so much easier to follow the rounds once you know how. I wish more designers would follow suit, it really is a great way to elevate your patterns. That’s what I think anyway. If you have an iPad, I would give Goodnotes a try. If you are using any other apps for iOS or Android devices to make diagrams, feel free to share them here in the comments. I am curious to know what apps are out there, which ones are your favourites and why? For now, happy crocheting.
Stay cosy and crochet with love,
Kj💋
