Sharing the process from Chart to finished directions using knitXpress

Step 1: Create chart in KnitVisualizer

I thought I’d share a little example of the process I go through from creating a chart for a knitting design to getting the written direction in publishable format. Just to show you how easy it is

(knitXpress will work with directions generated by other charting software as well as directions typed by the user without using charting software.)

I use Knit Visualizer to create my charts and to generate the written directions; then I run those raw written directions through knitXpress to identify all of the repeats and format those directions into publish-ready format.

This lace edging is a variation of a stitch pattern published in Mary Walker Phillips’ book Knitting Counterpanes.

Step 1
Create the chart in Knit Visualizer (KV). This step takes by far the longest time.

Step 2

Step 2: Written Instructions generated by KnitVisualizer

Copy the written directions for the chart from KV (File, Print…, under Options check Pattern, using mouse or keyboard select the written directions, copy the text to the clipboard).

Step 3
Start knitXpress.  Paste the text directions into the Input (top) Pane. Instantly the formatted, compacted directions appear in the Output (bottom) Pane.

Step 4
The formatted, compacted directions can now be copied into the pattern document or saved as a file.

Step 3 & 4: knitXpress Input & Output

That’s it!

For this example I’ve chosen to have the first term in each line capitalized and a period placed at the end of every row. There are lots of other options available; the above just goes through what I do most often.

Full disclosures:

I am not connected with Knit Visualizer in any manner, just a user of the software.

knitXpress is a software program produced and sold by us; I think is pretty neat, in fact I love it  but I may be slightly biased

Lady of the Canyon Shawl has arrived!

“Trina takes her paints and threads and weaves a pattern all her own,” Joni Mitchell sings in her ‘Ladies of the Canyon’

Another example of music influencing design….it’s the inspiration for this shawl…  the combination of the very unique Aran Lace stitch patterns¹ and wonderful merino / silk blend  yarn².

This is the second pattern in the Celtic Shawl Series – Lady of the Canyon. The link leads to the Ravelry pattern page.

(The first pattern in the Series is my Margaree Harbour Shawl)

::wink:: little plug here for our new software program: the written directions for this shawl were generated using knitXpress  - 132 lines of written directions took less than 10 seconds to be formatted to all caps at the beginning, periods at the end of each line, identifying all of the repeats within each line and all of the row repeats, etc.; needless to say I love it!  

¹ from talented stitch designer Annie Maloney’s book Aran Lace

² Knit Picks Gloss Fingering yarn

knitXpress Launched!

  All systems go! knitXpress is live and available for purchase.  We hope you love it as much as we do

An Example:
Just to give you an idea of the time-savings this program can generate — I recently processed the written instructions for my Margaree Harbour Shawl – 449 rows of written instruction — copied the written instructions from my charting program and pasted them into the Input window in knitXpress  – less than 10 seconds later my formatted, compacted instructions were in my pattern document!

Lots more info on the knitXpress website.

knitXpress Beta v_03

We’re on knitXpress Beta v_03 with v_04 following fast on its heels.

Two main improvements for v_o3 include:

• if all odd numbered or even numbered rows are identical, knitXpress will generate
  • “R1 and all odd numbered rows: ……” or
  • “R2 and all even numbered rows: …..”

• if several sequential rows repeat a previous row, then knitXpress will combine the results thus:
  • “R5-8: Rep R1.”

What’s in store for v_04?

Beta v_04 will include the ability to produce mirrored output instructions e.g. for lace shawls.  We’re also working on a way to have the program warn the user if there are missing rows or duplicate rows.

Currently we’re still hoping for an April 18, 2011 launch!!

Lots more info on the knitXpress website.

knitXpress

Here’s a little peek at knitXpress.

This screen capture shows the program interface.

The raw data i.e. unformatted instructions, are copied or opened in the Top Pane and the program instantly compacts the instructions and formats them in the Bottom Pane. The compacted and formatted instructions can then be saved or copied into a wordprocessor or publishing program.

Formatting Options

The screen capture shows one of the two formatting choices i.e. the first term of each line is capitalized and a period is placed at the end of each row.

The program also includes a formatting option to not capitalize the first term and place no punctuation at the end of a row.

Compaction Options

The program can also compact instructions with the shown “rep from ….. to last….stitches” or, if the “Panel Only” option is selected, all repeats will be shown as bracketed text e.g. …..[k3, k2tog, p2] 4 times….

Like More Info?

There are lots more details on the knitXpress website both on the About knitXpress page and the FAQ page and there’s also a knitXpress Ravelry group.

Beta testing is going well — looks like we’re on track for our April 18, 2011 launch!!

knitXpress in Beta Testing now

Exciting news! We’ve developed a little software tool to help designers, tech editors and knitting pattern writers.

knitXpress is a new software program that compacts row-by-row knitting instructions to their essential components and reformats the instructions, ready for publication. Come take a look – it’s our little fledgling.

Beta testing is on in our Ravelry user group — we’re hoping for a mid-April 2011 launch!