3 Great Apps for Knitters & Crocheters

Now, whether we realise it or not, we rely on our phones for much more than just communication. Between allowing us to share our projects on social media and updating our blogs, smart phones have become excellent tools for those interested in crafting. 

According to Statista, there are 1.4 million apps on the iTunes App Store, and 1.5 million on the Google Play Store, ready for download. There's also several crafting apps available, and for those who love to knit and crochet, the following might be just what you need: 

1. StashBot

If you’re not following a pattern, or the pattern you are following doesn’t tell you how much yarn you need, StashBot might be the perfect choice for you. While it costs £3.99/$4.99 , it could very well earn you great savings in the future by telling you just how much yarn you’ll need for the project you’re about to undertake. It also saves you an additional trip to the shops should you realise you didn’t get enough yarn. It presents several different categories of projects that will tell you how much yarn you need, and after some time using the app, you may find yourself being able to estimate measurements more easily. Of course, if you’re a fan of purchasing great amounts of yarn and simply reusing what’s left over from your projects in the future, StashBot might soon outgrow its use.

2. Knitting Buddy

Perfect for beginner knitters, Knitting Buddy is a great overall tool that allows you to track your projects. It has a row counter, a repeat counter, a project timer, a ruler, a flashlight, and even built-in note pages so you can keep jotting down notes as you go along. It also has the ingenious feature of tracking your knitting needles, so you’ll know whether you’re using one of your favourites in a different project, and not have to wonder where your needles have gone. You can also add images and photos of the project at various stages throughout its completion – a perfect feature for bloggers who want to take their readers on a step-by-step journey of the process of creating their new project.

3. Stash2Go: Ravelry on the Go

You are probably familiar with Ravelry, one of the biggest knitting/crochet communities on the Internet. Stash2Go, although not affiliated with Ravelry, is one of the best apps you can use to access the community from your phone. Its design is simple and intuitive, and it gives you access to all your content from the website - from your stash of needles and hooks, projects queued and completed, and even friends lists and favourite patterns. There are two versions of the app – one free, but ad based; and another paid, but free of ads. Just make sure that you try to use WiFi whenever accessing the app, as it cannot function without an Internet connection. As Kim Shadbolt of Pocket Fruity explains in a blog post, "Wherever you can, use Wi-Fi. It’s another good way to save mobile battery, it’s cheaper because you won’t use up all your data allowance, and Wi-Fi is just generally more reliable..." Uploading and downloading photos from Stash2Go may leave you with a higher bill than you’d expected.

Do you use any other apps for your knitting and crochet projects?

Have you ever used a project tracker like Knitting Buddy?

Let me know in the comments below!

It's a wrap

Here's a quick-to-create crochet wrap bracelet.

I made it using some of the DK yarn I had left over from my Sunday Shawl.

Using a 3.5mm hook, I chained 212 and then sc (UK dc) into the 12th chain from the hook. This created a button hole. You can alter the size of the hole to fit your chosen button.

I went on to sc (UK dc) across and fastened off. I sewed a wooden button to this end.

Using jump rings, I attached some random charms through the button hole.

The bracelet wraps easily around the wrist and was a hit with my model (my niece). She has now claimed it for herself.

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Sunday Girl

It seems the Sunday Shawl pattern by The Little Bee has taken the crochet world by storm. Just a quick Google proves that! 

I couldn't wait to get my hands on the pattern and give it a go.

I ordered the recommended yarn from The Wool Warehouse and once received, I immediately set to work.

In no time at all I was half way through. I went on to complete it by doing an hour here and an hour there - the pattern lends itself to this perfectly.

I used the suggested colours, but I am sure it would look just as good using different ones.

It's a great shawl for those cooler Spring and Summer nights and goes great with my cowboy boots and jeans.

There's just one problem with the Sunday Shawl ... I miss making it ... so I think it will be the first of many!

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Get Out The Bunting

Spring is in the air and it's time to get the bunting out!

I made this crochet bunting using the yarn pack I recently purchased from Wool Warehouse. However, you can use any DK yarn and it's a great stashbuster project.

Here's how I made it...

5mm hook

DK yarn in various colours

Stitches used: Slip Stitch, Single Crochet SC (UK DC)

Start: Chain 2 then SC twice into the second chain from the hook. Chain 1 and turn

Row 1: SC twice into each stitch. Chain 1 and turn.

Row 2 : SC twice into the first stitch from the hook, then one SC into each of the following stitches, Chain 1 and turn

Row 3 - 25 : repeat Row 2

Row 26: SC twice into the first stitch from the hook, then one SC into each of the following stitches. Fasten off.

Weave in all ends.

Edging: Simply SC around each flag and then finish off with a slip stitch in the first SC
(NB: I made 3 SC in each corner to avoid puckering)

I made 10 flags in total in 5 colours.

Creating the bunting: Chain 70 then slip stitch into and across the top of the first flag. Chain 10 then slip stitch into and across the second flag .... and so on. Finish off with another Chain 70.

Once complete, I gave each flag a blast of steam from the iron - careful to not let the iron actually touch the flag.

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Stocking Filler 2014

I've just finished off my crochet coaster stocking fillers for this Christmas.

I previously posted about this crochet pattern here

I used some silver ribbon to bundle up my sets of 4 slate coloured coasters and I added a very simple label - made using my trusty tag punch and a christmas tree punch.

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Pucker Up

This is my first Christmas make of 2014...

This mistletoe pattern is by Marina Hoffstrom and it's very well written. You can purchase it in her Etsy shop.

I used Sirdar Cotton DK yarn and a 3mm hook. Instead of using pearls, I chose to use some pearl buttons.

A red ribbon bow finished it off and it's now ready to be hung over my doorway! xx

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Shades of Autumn

So it's officially Autumn. Despite the sunny bright days, the nights are chilly and the leaves are starting to fall... all the inspiration I needed to create this scarf.

I followed a free pattern by Crochet In Color.

I used Sirdar Cotton DK yarn in autumnal colours and a 5mm hook and did 17 rows in total.

Instead of braiding my ends, I added a fringe. Here's a great tutorial showing how this is done.

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Throwback Thursday Week 3

Thursday comes around sooo fast! 

Throughout June I'm bringing you Throwback Thursday. This throwback is from March 2013 - one for crochet lovers...

This week:Want to recreate this cute hair accessory? Click here

Peaky Blinder

The 'Peaky Blinder' style has recently appeared on the high street and why should my little one miss out?

Back in 2013, the BBC brought us 'Peaky Blinders', a drama series set in Birmingham just after WWI. It was based on the historic gang who sewed razor blades in the peak of their caps.

I purchased this Scally Cap pattern from Etsy and making the most of the nice weather (and our little one fast asleep in the shade), I sat in the sun and crocheted away.

I used a brown DK yarn and a 4mm crochet hook.

 Our little one seemed to enjoy modelling his new cap, though I am not sure how long it will stay on his head!

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Everything Stops For Tea

I recently came across the ball of yarn I used to for my Mini Crocheted Votives and wanted to use it again, so a quick project was needed.

This coaster pattern (plus photo tutorial!) can be found over at The Yvestown Blog and using bright yarn, it's great for the summer.

The yarn is Patons Smoothie DK in colour 02020. I used a 4mm hook and made them up in record time.

Make them for yourself or bundle them together with some ribbon and give as a gift.

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Spring around my neck

A crocheted flower necklace...

These vibrant colours from Patons are just the thing for this springtime necklace.

The pattern for the flowers can be found over at Attic24 - a great picture tutorial, ideal for beginners.

I used 3.5mm hook for the outer flowers and a 5mm hook for the centre flower.

I joined the flowers together from behind using a whip stitch.

I then finished the piece by adding a pearl to the centre of each flower and a simple chain stitch - using the same yarn as the centre flower.

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Santa Baby

Our baby boy is very tiny and as he was premature and growth restricted, it's difficult to get clothes to fit him nicely - especially hats! What with Christmas coming up, I wanted to create a festive hat to help keep him warm when out and about. 

This quick make is perfect for the forthcoming week.

This YouTube video helped me make the basic beanie hat...

I added simple ear flaps (decreasing stitches) to ensure he'll be nice and snug. And a long chain from each flap created an easy tie.

A simple (though far from perfect...) pom-pom added the finishing touch.

Happy Christmas! 

We know that ours will definitely be a very happy one!

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Mitt's Autumn!

Crocheted Cluster Mitts ...

My latest make comes from this month's issue of Simply Crochet, which is full of ideas for Autumn. 

The pattern was really simple and the mitts made up quickly and with ease.

I used chunky merino wool and the suggested 4mm hook.

To finish off, I edged the top of the mitts with some leftover wool from my PomPom Hat project.

An ideal make for this year's Christmas gifts. (Oops did I mention the 'C' word??!)

UPDATE: why not follow the designer's blog here and find out where to purchase the pattern...

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