iPhone Tools tab: gauge, sizes and conversions
The Tools tab on iPhone
The NodeStitch iPhone app has a Tools tab, between Dictionary and
Account in the tab bar. It holds six small calculators and charts for
while you crochet or knit. They are in the phone app only; nodestitch.app does
not have them. Get the app from the
In the same tab bar, your patterns are under Patterns.
Gauge converter
For when your swatch came out different from the pattern's gauge. Choose
whether the gauge is measured Over 10 cm or Over 4 in, then enter:
- The pattern's gauge: stitches and rows
- Your gauge: stitches and rows
- What the pattern says: a stitch count, a row count, or both
It gives the counts that make the same size at your gauge. For example, with a
pattern gauge of 20 stitches and yours of 22, 60 stitches → 66 stitches. If the pattern repeats over a set number of
stitches, put that number in Repeat of and the stitch count is rounded to
fit it. It also says how much wider or narrower your piece would come out if
you worked the pattern's numbers at your gauge.
Even increases and decreases
Enter the stitches You have and the stitches You want, and choose
In the round or In rows. It spreads the increases or decreases evenly
and gives the lines to work in order, such as [Work 8, 2 together] 6 times.
"2 together" works 2 stitches as one (sc2tog, k2tog) and "2 in next" works 2
stitches into one stitch. When the change is large it uses "3 together" or
"3 in next". In rows, the plain stitches are split between the two ends, so no
increase or decrease sits at an edge.
One row or round can take the count down to a third, or up to three times as
many. If you ask for more, it says how far one row can take you, and you spread
the rest over another row.
Yarn amount
For using a different yarn from the pattern's. Enter the pattern's
Skeins needed and what Each one has, in meters, yards or grams, then
what each of your skeins has. It gives the number of your skeins to buy,
rounded up, and the total the pattern uses.
Use the length on both labels where you can. It will not turn grams into a
length, because a gram of cotton is shorter than a gram of wool, and grams only
compare between yarns of the same kind. Buy from one dye lot, and get an extra
skein if your gauge is looser than the pattern's.
Hook and needle sizes
Crochet hooks and knitting needles in millimeters, with the US size beside
each. Needles also show the old UK size. Hooks have no UK column because UK
hooks are sold in millimeters. The metric and US sizes come from the Craft Yarn
Council's chart, and the old UK needle sizes from LoveCrafts' chart. Brands
differ a little, so the millimeter size is the one to trust.
Yarn weights
The Craft Yarn Council's weights, from 0 Lace to 7 Jumbo, each with its
US, UK and Australian names, knit and crochet gauges, and needle and hook
sizes. For example, DK is 8 ply in Australia, aran is 10 ply and chunky is
12 ply. Two yarns with the same name can still differ, so compare the gauge
and the length per 100 g on the labels.
Units
Converts inches and centimeters, yards and meters, and ounces and grams, either
way. Pick the unit you have and type an amount.