Happy apping

Recently I've been trying out knitting apps for my iPhone. For anyone with an iPhone, tap 'knitting' into the search box and an array of options appears. In fact, if any more proof that knitting is trendy were needed, then the number of knitter-friendly clever pieces of software for Apple's little block of cool is surely it.

Of course they all claim to help you keep track of your projects, plan your next, count all your stitches and rows and make endless cups of tea (OK, I made up that last one). Prices range from free to £3.49. But which is best? Well that partly depends on what you want the app to do. Jknit, the most expensive, claims to be a complete knitting assistant, allowing you input your pattern instructions to create a single counter telling you exactly what to do row by row – it seems to do everything but knit the rows for you. At the other end of the scale are the free apps that just work as a digital row counter.

The knit test
I've been trying out two of the simpler apps – KnitMinder and Knit Counter, both in free 'lite' versions. The full versions cost £1.79 and £2.39 respectively. Both of these store counters and project information about yarn and needles used.

KnitMinder allows you to record notes in a logbook, which Knit Counter has space for notes. So far so similar. So what are the differences? KnitMinder has the option of saving planned, finished and on hold projects; handy for shopping excursions or keeping track of what you've got outstanding.

The free Knit Counter only allows you record one project; the paid-for version allows unlimited. So while you can't file projects as 'planned' or 'on hold' you can still input such projects and make a note of their status.

Changing boons
Knit Counter's real strength, though, lies in the versatility of its counters. You can assign each project as many counters as you like; for example, a hat I'm making has got four counters. You can assign any name you want to each counter, unlike KnitMinder, which gives you a choice of several. I'm recording the number of rows I knit, the number of repeats in a row, the number of rows to repeat for the ribbing and the number of repeats for the lace section, each with its own name.

To count up, you simply tap on a plus sign next to the row name. You can even link rows so that after you've reached a certain number on one counter, another will count up. Very useful! You can also program in an increase or decrease reminder.

You might have guessed that I prefer Knit Counter. Its adaptability makes it incredibly useful, and the user interface is much prettier than KnitMinder's. It has made following my rather complicated hat pattern much easier. The only drawback is that the free version only lets me record one pattern – so I guess I'll be forking out for the paid-for counter then!