# YarnPath

> YarnPath is an AI companion app for crochet and knitting, coming to iPhone, iPad and Android. It explains
> patterns row by row, identifies stitches and mistakes from a photo, answers questions through an AI coach,
> counts rows, recalculates sizes from your gauge and keeps a yarn stash. This site also hosts free guides.

Facts:
- Crafts: crochet and knitting; patterns in US or UK terms.
- Platforms: iOS (iPhone, iPad) and Android, not yet released.
- Price: free to download; row counter, stash and guides free; AI feature pricing announced at launch.

## Guides

- [Crochet abbreviations, US and UK terms side by side](https://yarnpath.com/guides/crochet-abbreviations/): US and UK crochet patterns use the same stitches under different names: a US single crochet (sc) is a UK double crochet (dc), a US half double (hdc) is a UK half treble (htr), and a US double (dc) is a UK treble (tr). Check which terms a pattern uses before you start; a pattern that mentions "sc" is US.
- [How to make a magic ring in crochet](https://yarnpath.com/guides/magic-ring/): To make a magic ring, wrap the yarn twice around two fingers to form a loop, insert the hook under both strands, pull up a loop, chain 1, then work your first round of stitches into the ring and pull the tail to close the centre tight. It replaces "chain 4 and join", which leaves a hole.
- [How to single crochet (sc)](https://yarnpath.com/guides/single-crochet/): To single crochet, insert the hook into the next stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop (two loops on the hook), then yarn over again and pull through both loops. Single crochet is the shortest basic stitch; in UK terms it is called double crochet (dc).
- [Knit stitch vs purl stitch, and how to tell them apart](https://yarnpath.com/guides/knit-vs-purl/): Knit and purl are the same stitch seen from opposite sides. A knit stitch looks like a small V on the side facing you and is worked with the yarn at the back; a purl stitch looks like a little horizontal bump and is worked with the yarn at the front. Every other knitting pattern is a combination of the two.
- [Yarn weight chart with needle and hook sizes](https://yarnpath.com/guides/yarn-weight-chart/): Yarn weight is how thick a yarn is, numbered 0 (lace) to 7 (jumbo) by the Craft Yarn Council. The most common weights are 3 (DK, light worsted), 4 (worsted, aran) and 5 (bulky, chunky). The label gives the weight and a suggested needle or hook size; use that as a starting point and check your gauge.
- [How to make and measure a gauge swatch](https://yarnpath.com/guides/gauge-swatch/): Gauge (UK: tension) is how many stitches and rows fit in 10 cm (4 in). To check it, work a square at least 15 cm (6 in) wide in the pattern's stitch, wash and dry it as you will the finished piece, then count the stitches across 10 cm in the middle. More stitches than the pattern means go up a needle or hook size; fewer means go down.
- [How to read a crochet pattern](https://yarnpath.com/guides/read-crochet-patterns/): A crochet pattern lists materials and gauge first, then gives instructions row by row or round by round in abbreviations. Read it in order: check whether it uses US or UK terms, make the gauge swatch, then follow each line and compare your stitch count with the number in brackets at the end of the line.
- [How to count rows in knitting and crochet](https://yarnpath.com/guides/count-rows/): In knitting, count the Vs in one column of stockinette from the cast-on up: each V is one row; in garter stitch each ridge is two rows. In crochet, count the posts of the stitches stacked on top of each other: each stitch height is one row. A stitch marker every 10 rows makes counting far easier.

## Pages
- [Home](https://yarnpath.com/): what YarnPath does, with an FAQ
- [About](https://yarnpath.com/about/)
- [Privacy](https://yarnpath.com/privacy/)