Handicraft is a term that describes many different types of work where practical and decorative objects are made by hand or by using only simple tools. Depending on your location, the phrase ‘arts and crafts’ may be more commonly used.
Collective terms for handicrafts include artisanry, handicrafting, crafting, and handicraftsmanship. This article focuses on crafting using your hands.
This article highlights versatile open source software that aids cross-stitching and knot design. The software featured here helps individuals create their own charts from scratch or generate charts from imported pictures. Good quality open source software in this field is relatively sparse, fortunately there are still a few real gems. Our recommendations are captured in this ratings chart.
To provide an insight into the quality of software that is available, we have compiled the following list of software. Hopefully there will be something of interest for anyone who wants to make full use of their creative talents.
Let’s explore the software at hand. For each title we have compiled its own portal page, a screenshot of the software in action, a full description with an in-depth analysis of its features, together with links to relevant resources.
| Crafting Tools | |
|---|---|
| KXStitch | Cross-stitch pattern creator and editor for KDE |
| Ink/Stitch | Machine embroidery design platform based on Inkscape |
| Embroidermodder | Machine embroidery software tool |
| Crosti | Graphic conversion utility to create cross stitches |
| Cstitch | Convert images to cross stitch patterns |
| SymbolEditor | Create libraries of QPainterPath objects with hints on how to render them |
| Embroiderly | Design cross-stitch patterns |
| WeaveDreamer | Design weaving patterns and drafts for hand weavers |
| POVThread | Convert bitmap images into embroidery thread patterns |
| CrochetPARADE | Render, analyse and debug crochet patterns |
| Knotter | Configurable interlace designer |
This article has been updated to reflect the changes outlined in our recent announcement.
 Explore our carefully curated directory of recommended free and open source software, covering every major software category.The directory forms part of our extensive collection of articles for Linux enthusiasts. It includes hundreds of detailed reviews, together with free and open source alternatives to proprietary software from companies such as Google, Microsoft, Apple, Adobe, IBM, Cisco, Oracle, and Autodesk. LinuxLinks also covers interesting projects worth exploring, Linux-compatible hardware, free programming books and tutorials, and much more. Know a useful free and open source Linux application that we haven’t covered? Tell us about it using our submission form. |
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AWESOME! Very exciting to know so much exists here. “Crafting”, & “Creating” with all-helpful guides. Just exactly what I wished for!