knitCompanion knitting & more

I’m a fairly new crocheter. I was looking around for some good apps to mainly use as counters - I was using the files app to read my PDF, and an ancient row counting tool that just didn’t work too well on my iPad. I looked around the app store and everything is so outdated or just lacking any user friendly interface or real functionality. I started considering buying a mac so I could make my own app! (I’m a developer) So color me surprised when I found out about this app - it does everything all in one, and is pretty customizable! I’m able to easily track my stitch count, rounds, and have my PDF open for the pattern! Not to mention all the other features like leaving comments and being able to mark the page. I was fully prepared to build out my own custom tool, and I am so happy someone tech savvy who loves yarn arts did what I would have done! Great app.

I’m a relatively new knitter. I found this product a wonderful and extremely useful app. It took me about 10 minutes of use to decide to upgrade. I found all the instructional videos extremely helpful. It’s so well done and the upgrade is inexpensive. The free version is great and very useful. I could have just stayed with that and been pleased and happy. The tools are just what a knitter needs. I’m a senior and a bit technologically challenged and I’m able to use the app and it’s features without difficulty. I’ve linked to my Ravelry page and added patterns that I’m working on to KnitCompanion. I’ve added PDF patterns not on Ravelry and it was easy, no tears of frustration from not being able to get the technology to work for me. I just started using charts and the ability to make those dinky little charts larger for older eyes was wonderful. Being able to highlight the row was wonderful. Like I said, the app is a game changer. One thing I wish was included would be general knitting reference material like needle size conversion chart for mm to US sizing and the standard yarn size and names chart. When you’re new to knitting that information is not in the memory banks and when you’re a senior half the time you can’t remember stuff anyway.

I hardly ever review apps, but this is a special case. I’ve spent years trying to optimize my use of print patterns through magnets, highlighter tape, extensive written notes, and more. This app has been life-changing for me. It has a steep learning curve, and the new version (this one) is even more complex, so I watched tutorials for over an hour before I dove in. (I was also nervous I’d lose modifications on my old patterns if I converted, but they came through fine.) Some amazing features: add the pattern key, such as translations of cables, to a part of the screen directly under the chart, so you don’t have to keep referring back to another page, or cut up and tape paper pattern pages together. Highlight your row in a chart, color different rows different colors, add pattern notes under the chart that notify you on a given row as to any other special instructions (especially useful for at-the-same-time increase or decrease directions). Make stitch counts appear in the chart for fair isle patterns. Stitch charts together that appear on paper over multiple pages. This has dramatically improved the speed at which I can knit complex patterns, and also the enjoyment I get from knitting. It’s well worth the modest annual subscription fee. I can’t recommend it enough!