Ida asked: First, you mentioned using graph paper. Do you use graph paper that is especially made for knitting (since the squares of the regular don’t always mesh up)? Also, do you ever use chartmaking software, like KnitVisualizer? Why or why not?

and Kim asked: I tried finding something online to create my charts but wasn’t sure where to find it, if there are any free ones?

First, the graph paper. I use simple square graph paper with the understanding that I know the stitches on it are going to be taller than in real life. This is the notebook I have – although it says it only comes ruled…clearly mine is graph paper. So maybe they don’t even make this size in graph paper anymore. I do know that there are ways to make your own graph paper with spreadsheet programs like Excel. Custom made paper like this can be VERY custom, as you can get your exact row and stitch gauge proportions. For whatever it’s worth, most commercial charts use a grid that is square.

Second, for knitting/charting software. I will cover this more in next week’s post. Briefly, I use Adobe Illustrator but there is at least one free tool, and several ways to go about making charts. Next week I will be linking to tutorials and references galore. I would say that I don’t want to pay for chart making software, but that seems to contradict my use of Illustrator. However, I bought the Adobe products more for web design than for knitting, so maybe that makes more sense.

Ivana asked: My question is of copyright nature. You said that for this shawl you used a stitch pattern directly out of a stitch dictionary. How does that work when you publish the design – do you have to give credit to the source of the stitch pattern? Is it even allowed to make a commercial pattern on the basis of it? I know the creative community pays great attention to copyright (and rightly so), but I’m not clear where this would stand. I mean, stitch dictionaries are there to provide stitches for larger designs after all…

It is my understanding that stitch dictionaries are like reference books. I feel better referencing them, but I know other designers (sometimes very famous) do not. When writing the pattern, I will most certainly cite my sources, like I do here. Here are some interesting Ravelry discussions on the topic.

Tags: design, Design Series

This entry was posted on Tuesday, April 6th, 2010 at 7:35 am and is filed under Design Series. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Responses are currently closed, but you can trackback from your own site.