- Alpha braceletsAlpha bracelet basicsBase strings versus working strings, forward and backward knots, and how to read an alpha bracelet pattern row by row from the top down, for beginners.
- Cross stitchBackstitch, French knots and fractional stitches in cross stitchHow to work the finishing stitches of cross stitch: backstitch outlines, French knots and quarter stitches, with diagrams and how much thread each one uses.
- C2C crochetC2C crochet basics — blocks, increasing, decreasing and colour changesLearn corner-to-corner crochet from the first block: the double-crochet tile, increasing and decreasing, changing colours and making squares or rectangles.
- Cross stitchChoosing thread colours for cross stitchHow many thread colours a cross stitch design needs for its size, tested with our generator, how matching works and how safe DMC and Anchor swaps are.
- Cross stitchConfetti stitches explainedWhat confetti stitches are, why photo patterns produce them, and what each cleanup level really does, measured on a test image with our own pattern generator.
- Converting thread colours between DMC and AnchorConvert thread between DMC and Anchor with confidence: how matches are made, why the two directions differ and what our tests show about merging colours.
- Knitting chartsDuplicate stitch — adding colour to finished knittingHow to work duplicate stitch (Swiss darning) over finished knitting to add small motifs, single stitches and third colours, following any knitting chart.
- Peyote & brick stitchEven-count peyote stitch for beginnersLearn even-count peyote with cylinder beads: stringing the first two rows, reading word charts, tension, adding thread and finishing a bracelet.
- Cross stitchFabric counts explainedWhat 14-count, 18-count and 28-count over two mean, how Aida, evenweave and linen differ, how count changes finished size and thread, and which count to choose.
- Knitting chartsFloats in stranded colourwork knittingKeep stranded colourwork floats neat: how long a float can safely be, how to catch long floats, tension tips, and why a gauge-correct chart changes your design.
- Cross stitchHow much thread do I need? Estimating skeins for cross stitchEstimate how many skeins of floss a cross stitch pattern needs: stitches per skein by count and strands, scattered colours, backstitch, knots and dye lots.
- Cross stitchHow to choose a photo that makes a good patternWhich photos make good cross stitch, bead and knitting patterns: we ran five versions of one photo through our generator to test light, background and size.
- Diamond paintingHow to do diamond painting — tools, techniques, sealing and framingDiamond painting tools and techniques: pens, wax and trays, square versus round drills, working in sections, avoiding gaps, and sealing and framing.
- Cross stitchHow to edit a pattern in the editorA full tour of the CraftPatterns editor: every drawing tool and shortcut, mirrors, selections, colours, backstitch, versions and what each download holds.
- Cross stitchHow to finish and frame cross stitch in a hoopTurn finished cross stitch into a hoop display: choosing the hoop size, centring and tightening the fabric, gathering or gluing the back, and adding felt.
- How to frame cross stitchFrame finished cross stitch the way conservators advise: fabric allowances, frame sizes for common designs, lacing over acid-free board and keeping glass off.
- Fuse beadsHow to iron fuse beads (Perler, Hama, Artkal) without warpingHow to iron fuse beads neatly: ironing paper, heat settings, how long to press, ironing both sides, keeping pieces flat and fixing holes and warping.
- How to measure knitting gauge for colourwork chartsKnit and measure a gauge swatch, count stitches and rows per 10 cm, and enter them in the knitting chart maker so motifs come out the right shape and size.
- Cross stitchHow to read a cross stitch chartLearn to read a cross stitch chart: what each square and symbol means, the key, bold 10-lines, centre arrows, fractional stitches, backstitch and page splits.
- Cross stitchHow to start cross stitch — a complete beginner's guideEverything a beginner needs to start cross stitch: what to buy, finding the centre, starting without a knot, neat crosses, the Danish method and fixing errors.
- How to use the stitch trackerUse the free CraftPatterns stitch tracker to mark stitches or beads as done, park on one colour, step through rows and carry your progress between devices.
- Cross stitchHow to wash and press cross stitch and embroideryHow to wash finished cross stitch safely, following DMC's own care advice: cold water, removing hoop rings and marks, what to do if a colour runs, and pressing.
- Latch hookLatch hook basics — canvas, yarn and the four-step knotLearn latch hook from scratch: rug canvas and pre-cut yarn, the four-step knot, working from a chart, finishing the edges and caring for the finished rug.
- Diamond paintingMaking a diamond painting from a photoTurn your own photo into a diamond painting pattern: which photos work best, square or round drills, choosing size and colours, and counting drills with spares.
- Making name and text patternsMake name and text patterns for cross stitch, beads, bracelets and C2C: six pixel fonts with measured sizes for real names, eight borders and three layouts.
- NeedlepointNeedlepoint for beginners — canvas, threads and tent stitchStart needlepoint with confidence, from choosing canvas mesh and thread to continental versus basketweave tent stitch, starting and ending threads and blocking.
- Organising your thread and bead stashOrganise floss and fuse beads, track what you own with Colours I own, design from your stash, and see which DMC colours our library patterns use most.
- Perler, Hama, Artkal and Nabbi beads comparedHow Perler, Hama, Artkal and Nabbi fuse beads compare: midi sizes, colour ranges, mixing brands, ironing and converting patterns from one brand to another.
- Pixel artPixel art basics — canvas size, palettes, outlines and shadingStart making pixel art: choosing a canvas size, building a small palette, drawing clean outlines, shading with three tones and exporting crisp PNGs.
- Brick mosaicPlanning a brick mosaic — baseplates, pieces and parts listsPlan a brick mosaic from 1×1 pieces: baseplate sizes, choosing a picture, limiting colours to what you can buy, ordering parts and building row by row.
- Planning a C2C blanketPlan a corner-to-corner crochet blanket: choose the size, measure a block, work out the graph size and yarn, pick colours and turn a design into a C2C graph.
- Fuse beadsPlanning fuse bead projects across pegboardsPlan fuse bead designs across 29 by 29 square pegboards, join boards neatly for large pieces, and iron safely with sensible steps when working with children.
- Printing and using your pattern PDFsPrint CraftPatterns PDFs at 100% on Letter or A4, line up multi-page charts, choose large print or colour pages, and follow your pattern on a tablet instead.
- C2C crochetReading corner-to-corner (C2C) crochet graphsFollow a C2C crochet graph with confidence: diagonal rows from the corner, when to increase and decrease, rectangles, colour changes, bobbins and written rows.
- Running a stitch-along with friendsRun a stitch-along: choose and share a pattern, plan a realistic schedule from real stitch counts, track progress in the tracker and share pictures and files.
How we write these
Every guide is written alongside the tools on this site, so the numbers in them — stitches per skein, pegboard counts, finished sizes — come from the same calculations the generators use. Where something is a rule of thumb rather than a fixed fact, we say so. Example charts are original designs, never copies of someone else's work.
If you have a question a guide doesn't answer, send it to us. Many of these pages started as a question from a stitcher, a parent at the bead table or a knitter planning a yoke.
Quick answers
Do I need an account?
No. Everything works without signing up, and your patterns are saved only in your browser.
Are the PDFs free?
Yes, with no watermark and no limit on downloads.
Is my photo uploaded?
No. Photos are processed on your own device and never leave it.
Can I sell what I make?
Things you make from your own photos and designs are yours. Our original library patterns are free for personal use under CC BY-NC 4.0.
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