How it works
- Set up the grid. Enter the knots across and the number of rows, or open a .cpat project, CraftPatterns PDF or photo.
- Choose floss colours. Add DMC or Anchor colours by code, name or family; keys 1–9 select the first nine.
- Draw knot by knot. Use pencil, fill, line and rectangles, mirror as you go and undo freely.
- Export with instructions. The PDF includes the chart, a colour key with the matching code in the other brand, base and working string counts, and written rows.
Tips for a great alpha pattern you design yourself
Draw for the real shape of a knot. Because each knot is taller than it is wide, diagonal lines look steeper than on square graph paper. A true 45-degree slope needs about three knots across for every two rows, and the editor shows you the true result as you draw, so trust the grid rather than your graph-paper habits.
Design one repeat, not the whole bracelet. Most alpha bracelets are a short motif repeated along the band. Draw a single repeat of 12 to 30 rows, check that the top row flows into the bottom row, and repeat it as you knot. The bracelet length calculator tells you how many rows the finished bracelet needs.
Keep colour changes manageable. Each colour is a working string you carry through every row. Four colours are comfortable for most makers; beyond five, rows get slow and the back gets bulky. Use merge colours to fold a nearly identical shade into its neighbour.
Avoid one-knot details where you can. A single knot of a contrasting colour is the hardest thing to place neatly. Thicken thin lines to two knots, or accept that a fine detail will look slightly softer once knotted.
Frame busy motifs with an edge stripe. A single column of one colour down each side gives a crisp finished edge and makes small differences in knot tension less noticeable. Many designers use it on detailed motifs, and it costs only two knots across.
Check it in the Realistic view. The knot rendering shows how colours sit together at actual size. Pale yellows and whites, or two mid-blues, can look distinct on the chart but merge once knotted.
Track your rows. Open the finished PDF in the stitch tracker, highlight the current row and tick off each one so you never repeat a row by mistake.
From grid to wrist
Once the design is finished, the PDF’s cover page shows the knots across and rows, and the key lists each floss colour with the knots it covers. Cut the base strings first, using the length from the bracelet length calculator, then wind a bobbin for each working colour before you tie on.
What you get
| Sizes | 5–40 knots wide from a photo; editor up to 2,000 × 2,000 |
|---|---|
| Colours | 2–8, matched by CIEDE2000 colour difference |
| Palettes | DMC, Anchor |
| Downloads | PDF (cover, colour key, numbered chart pages, optional colour pages), PNG, SVG, shopping list CSV, .cpat project |
| Files accepted | JPG, PNG, WebP, GIF, BMP, AVIF, iPhone HEIC; .cpat and OXS patterns; PDFs made by CraftPatterns |
| Privacy | Runs in your browser. Images are never uploaded. |
| Price | Free — no sign-up, no watermark |
How it compares with other free tools
What you can expect here, every time — no tiers, no trial.
| Free printable PDF | Yes, with no watermark |
|---|---|
| Sign-up needed | No |
| Image uploaded to a server | No — processed on your device |
| Editor | Yes — pencil, fill, line, rectangle, mirror, undo |
| Progress tracker | Yes — free, works offline |
| Switch the same pattern to another craft | Yes — one tap |
Frequently asked questions
Why are the grid cells not square?
An alpha knot is a little taller than it is wide, about 1.3 mm across and 2 mm high in six-strand floss. The editor draws each cell in that shape, so a heart that looks round on screen will look round on your wrist too.
What width should I set for a new bracelet?
Pick the number of knots across first. 10 to 16 makes a comfortable everyday bracelet, 18 to 24 a bolder cuff, and anything up to the 40-knot maximum of the pattern generator suits straps and bookmarks. For length, roughly 5 rows per centimetre of wrist is a fair starting point.
How are the written instructions produced?
When you download the PDF, each row of your grid is written out from row 1 at the top, listing the colour of every knot in order. If you change a single knot in the editor, the instructions update the next time you export.
Can I reuse a cross stitch or bead design as a bracelet?
Yes. Open the design here or switch craft from the other tool, and the grid is kept while colours are mapped to the nearest DMC® or Anchor® floss. Large designs will need cropping or simplifying to fit a bracelet width.
Is my design saved if my phone locks?
The editor autosaves to the browser on your device, and you can reopen the design from My projects. Saving a .cpat backup file is still wise, especially before clearing browser data.
Can I mirror a design so both halves match?
Turn on left–right mirroring with H and every knot you place is copied to the opposite side of the bracelet. V mirrors top to bottom, which is handy for a motif that should look the same from either end.
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