Free online tools for computational fiber arts — use math to create and visualize patterns

Hex Life
Coming next! Sign up to be an early crochet tester at bit.ly/HexLifeTest
Crochet Color Pooling
Create patterns with color sequences and row length to create argyle-style designs with a just single strand of multicolor yarn
Pattern Punch Knit
Use mathematical tools like wallpaper patterns and wave collapse algorithms to create patterns for knitting machine punch cards
Stitch Wizard
Cast spells to create stitch patterns with mathematics, including cellular automata, sequence repetition, and Conway's Game of Life
Grayscale Granny Squares
Explore greyscale square-packing layouts to discover optimal color value configuations of crocheted granny square blankets
Matrix Weaver
Visualize weaving patters while explicity relating levers, control, and harnesses to matrix multiplication; work in progress


Articles and tutorials about fiber arts from Hacktastic

Punch Cards with Cricut Joy

Punch Cards with Cricut Joy

Cut your own knitting machine punch cards using the tiny Cricut Joy craft cutter. This article includes a detailed video that walks through the setup process.
Setting up the KR-260 Ribber

Setting up the KR-260 Ribber

Learn how to adjust and lubricate the Brother KH-260 ribber bed, and quickly create a piece of circular knitting.
Getting Started on the KH-260

Getting Started on the KH-260

Follow our first steps with the bulky-gauge Brother KH-260 knitting machine, and make a quick fair isle swatch to test punch cards.
Rainbow Blanket Pattern

Rainbow Blanket Pattern

Crochet this very simple blanket that looks great and uses up yarn scraps. This pattern includes an instructional video showing how to get the edges just right.
Crochet Terrazzo Squares

Crochet Terrazzo Squares

Get tips for starting crochet squares inspired by Tinna's Terrazzo Afghan, including making square centers, getting the counting right, and running corner lifelines.
Tetris Houndstooth Scarf

Tetris Houndstooth Scarf

Join us as we create a tessellation of Tetris tetrominos that is suitable for a 24 x 48 punch card, and go from pattern to finished wearable knit scarf.
OpenSCAD Punch Cards

OpenSCAD Punch Cards

Learn how to use the coding language OpenSCAD to produce SVG files for knitting machine punch cards that can be punched with a craft cutter.
Stitch Fiddle and Silhouette Studio

Stitch Fiddle and Silhouette Studio

Make your own punch cards by designing online in Stitch Fiddle and then creating cuttable SVG files with Silhouette Studio.
Silhouette Sharpie Spacer

Silhouette Sharpie Spacer

Get a 3D-printable spacer you can use to adapt a Silhouette Cameo cutting/drawing tool for Sharpie markers, so that you can write on punch card material.
Punching your own Cards

Punching your own Cards

Create your own punch cards for machine knitting, using hand-punchers or electronic craft cutters.
Getting Started on the KH-881

Getting Started on the KH-881

Learn with us as we figure out how to set up and use a vintage Brother punchcard knitting machine for the first time.
Triple Check Knit Stitch

Triple Check Knit Stitch

Discover a simple and fun stitch pattern that is easy to work, completely reversible, lies flat, and uses only one color at a time. All the floats are completely hidden!

Thank you for visiting Yarncraft!

We use mathematics to create patterns for knitting and crochet, figure out how to use vintage knitting machines, and develop new ways to design and fabricate knitting machine punch cards.

Our specialty is learning new things and helping others do the same. We enjoy being beginners while simultaneously pushing the envelope of what’s possible.

Laura Taalman Knit / crochet / math / code
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