Tech in Crochet: Apps, Smart Hooks & Digital Tools That Help

Tech in Crochet: Apps, Smart Hooks & Digital Tools That Actually Help

If you have ever lost your place in a pattern or spent 10 minutes counting rows on a blanket, you already know why a little tech can help. Crochet is slow, calm, and hands on, and it should stay that way. The right tech in crochet simply removes stress so you can enjoy your yarn more.

You will see how apps, smart hooks, and other digital tools can support you without taking over. We will look at pattern and row counter apps, smart crochet hooks that track stitches and tension, and fun extras like pattern generators and augmented reality try ons.

This is for both beginners and experienced crocheters who want a simple, low stress way to add tech to their hobby. No heavy jargon, no pressure to use everything at once, just clear ideas you can try on your next project.

Why Tech in Crochet Is Worth Trying

Tech does not replace your hook. It supports your hands and your brain. When used well, it saves time, prevents mistakes, and keeps your projects organized.

Think about all the small tasks you juggle while you crochet. Counting rows, checking hook size, matching gauge, finding that one pattern you saved last year. Digital tools handle some of that mental load. You get more time in the “yarn and hook” part and less time in the “where did I leave off” part.

How digital tools make crochet easier and more fun

Picture a big temperature blanket. You sit down at night and think, “What row am I on again?” A row counter app can tell you in one tap. You open the app, see your row number, and start crocheting right away.

Or maybe you like to keep yarn labels in a drawer “just in case.” A pattern and stash app can store those details on your phone. You can note fiber, yardage, hook size used, and how the yarn behaved. When you want to make a second version of a favorite hat, all the info is waiting.

Digital tools can also:

• Track multiple projects at once so you do not mix up row counts
• Store PDF patterns so you do not lose them in email or downloads
• Highlight your current line in a pattern so your eyes do not jump around

Less guessing, less re counting, more relaxed stitching.

Common myths about tech in crochet (and the truth)

Here are a few myths that stop people from trying tech, plus the real story.

• “Tech is only for advanced crocheters.” Many apps are made for beginners and explain stitches in very simple steps.
• “I will spend more time on my phone than crocheting.” Most crochet apps are quick tools, like a digital row counter, not full time time wasters.
• “Tech will make my projects feel less handmade.” Your hands still do every stitch. Tech only helps with planning and tracking.
• “I am not good with technology.” If you can open a photo on your phone, you can tap a row counter or open a PDF pattern.

Try just one app on one project and see how it feels. You stay in charge of your craft time.

Best Crochet Apps for Patterns, Tracking, and Learning

Crochet apps in 2025 cover four main jobs: storing patterns, tracking progress, teaching stitches, and helping you design. You do not need them all. Pick the ones that match how you crochet right now.

Here is a quick overview of app types and how they help.

Pattern and project apps that keep everything in one place

Pattern and project apps work like a digital binder.

• Kntd connects with Ravelry so you can search patterns and link them to yarn in your stash. You can see at a glance which yarns match a pattern, instead of digging through bins.
• Pocket Crochet lets you set up separate projects with row counters, notes, and photos. You might have a baby blanket, a scarf, and an amigurumi toy all saved in the app, each with its own row number.
• Crochet Row Counter & Patterns stores patterns from places like Etsy or Ravelry, and includes a small library of built in patterns. You can attach a row counter right to that pattern and watch your progress grow.

Many crocheters also keep Ravelry open in their phone browser to save projects and stash info. Apps like these simply add extra tracking and offline access.

Row counter and progress tracker apps so you never lose your place

Row counter apps turn your phone into a tiny helper that never forgets a number.

• My Row Counter lets you import PDF patterns and use voice control to increase the row number. You can say “next” or tap your screen instead of stopping to write on paper.
• Knitting Buddy (great for crochet too) can track rows, repeats, and even timers. You can keep notes about which hook you used, where you changed colors, or when to start shaping.

These trackers shine on projects like lace shawls, ripple blankets, or detailed amigurumi.

A few quick tips:

• Create separate counters for increases and decreases in garment shaping.
• Set a short timer if you want to see how long a project really takes.
• Name your counters clearly, like “Blue throw border” or “Bear’s ear shaping.”

You get a clear picture of where you are in each project, even if you set it aside for weeks.

Learning and AI powered crochet apps for beginners

Learning apps are like having a patient teacher in your pocket.

• YarnPal helps you by using your phone camera. You can snap a photo of your work, and the app tells you what stitch you are looking at or whether you missed one. It can also break a pattern into smaller steps and explain charts in plain words.
• Apps labeled as Crochet AI bring several tools together. You might upload a pattern, ask it to explain a confusing row, or request a simpler version. You can treat the AI as a “smart helper” that answers questions in normal language.

A new crocheter could, for example, hold the phone over a swatch and ask, “Is this double crochet or half double?” The app gives feedback, and you can adjust before the mistake runs through the whole blanket.

Design and chart apps for custom crochet patterns

If you like to tweak patterns or design your own, design apps are your best friend.

• Ribblr lets you write patterns, test them, and even publish them for sale. It guides you through sizes, materials, and step by step instructions.
• Stitch Fiddle and Crochet Charts help you draw symbol charts or color graphs. You can turn a simple drawing into a graphgan chart, plan corner to corner blankets, or design colorwork scarves.

Curious but not ready to publish patterns yet? Start small. Use Stitch Fiddle to draw a basic granny square layout or a two color scarf chart. You will learn how symbols and colors work, and your future projects will be easier to plan.

Smart Crochet Hooks: What They Are and Who They Help Most

Smart crochet hooks are regular hooks with tiny sensors inside. They talk to an app or screen and track things like stitch counts, rows, or tension.

You keep holding the hook as normal. The “smart” part quietly counts or measures while you work. For some crocheters, an app plus a simple hook is enough. For others, built in tracking on the hook itself feels more natural.

Smart hooks help the most if you:

• Struggle with even tension
• Work on large blankets or garments with many repeats
• Sell items and need consistent sizes across orders

Smart stitch counting hooks that track rows for you

Some smart hooks, such as models marketed as SmartStitch Hook, can count stitches and rows while you work. Tiny sensors track each motion and send data to your phone by Bluetooth.

You can set a target, like “72 stitches per row for 120 rows.” The app watches as you crochet. If you add or drop a stitch, the hook can buzz or light up when the row count is off.

Stitch counting hooks are helpful for:

• Big blankets where recounting takes ages
• Garments where one extra stitch can twist shaping
• Complex stitch patterns where your eyes get tired

Many smart hooks also include a small built in light, so you can crochet in the evening without straining your eyes.

Tension and speed tracking hooks for smoother, more even stitches

Other smart hooks, like Loop & Learn or StitchSense models, focus on tension and speed. They measure how tight you pull the yarn and how fast you work.

This data helps when:

• You want a sweater that fits the same way as the last one
• You are matching gauge for a pattern test
• You share patterns and want to give realistic gauge numbers

A simple way to use this data:

1. Crochet a swatch at the start of a project and look at your tension numbers.
2. Crochet again halfway through and compare.
3. If your tension is drifting, slow down or adjust your hook size.

You get more consistent fabric while still listening to how your hands feel.

How to choose the right smart crochet hook for your budget and style

Before buying a smart hook, ask yourself a few questions.

• Comfort: Does the grip feel good in your hand shape and size?
• Hook sizes: Does it include the sizes you use most, or will you still need others?
• App support: Does the app work on your phone brand and version?
• Battery life: Can it last through your normal crochet session?
• Price: Does the cost match how often you crochet and what you sell, if anything?

If you just want to stop losing your place, a free row counter app might be enough for now. You can always add a smart hook later if you enjoy the data side of crochet.

Other Digital Tools: Pattern Generators, AR Try Ons, and Online Communities

Tech that helps with crochet goes beyond apps and hooks. Three areas stand out right now: pattern generators, augmented reality try ons, and online communities.

Together, they help you plan, test ideas, and stay inspired so your hobby keeps feeling fresh.

Pattern generators and design software for creative crocheters

Tools like CrochetLand, Stitch Fiddle, and Crochet Charts can turn your ideas into real patterns. They give you grids, stitch symbols, and color tools.

You can use them to:

• Turn a simple drawing or photo into a colorwork blanket graph
• Plan stripe sequences for baby blankets or shawls
• Keep notes about yarn, hook size, and stitch counts in one file

These tools are not only for people who sell patterns. They are also great for personal projects, like matching a throw to your couch colors or making a pillow with your pet’s shape on it.

AR try on tools to preview hats, scarves, and more before you crochet

Augmented reality (AR) apps use your camera to show digital items on your body or in your space. For crochet, that can mean a hat, scarf, cowl, or blanket preview.

For example:

• You point your phone at your head and see how a slouchy beanie shape sits.
• You “try on” a cowl to check length before you commit to 1,000 yards of yarn.
• You aim the camera at your sofa and drop a digital blanket on it to see if the color works.

You do not need to understand how AR works behind the scenes. You only need to know that your phone can give you a rough preview so you can make better color and size choices.

Online crochet communities and pattern platforms to learn and share

Some of the best tech for crochet is not fancy at all. It is people.

Platforms like Ravelry, LoveCrafts, Ribblr, Instagram, and Facebook groups give you:

• Patterns in many styles and skill levels
• Groups that host crochet alongs (CALs) and answer questions
• Spaces to share photos, ask for feedback, and celebrate finishes

You can mix community and tech in simple ways. Track your CAL rows in a row counter app while you chat with others in a Facebook group. Save patterns from Ravelry into a project app so your yarn, hook, and notes stay organized.

When you feel stuck or alone in a project, a community can remind you why you picked up your hook in the first place.

Simple Steps to Start Using Tech in Your Crochet Today

So how do you start without feeling overloaded? Keep it small and gentle. You do not need a full tech makeover.

Here is a simple starter plan.

1. Pick one current project.
2. Choose one tool that sounds useful.
3. Use it for a few sessions and notice what helps.
4. Keep it if it feels good, or try a different tool next time.

Pick one project and one tool to test (and keep it small)

Choose something simple, like a scarf, dishcloth, or granny square blanket. Pair it with one helper.

A few easy combos:

• A ripple blanket with My Row Counter to track each repeat.
• A new stitch pattern with YarnPal helping you check your stitches by photo.
• A baby hat with a simple project app that stores the PDF and your notes.

By keeping scope small, you can see real benefits without adding stress. If you like the experience, you can add a second tool on your next project, maybe a design app or a smart hook.

Set healthy tech habits so crochet still feels calm and hands on

Tech should fit around your crochet, not the other way around.

Try these habits:

• Turn off non crochet notifications while you use a pattern or row counter.
• Keep your screen on low brightness at night to reduce eye strain.
• Use voice or tap features instead of long scrolling when possible.
• Put your phone face down when you are in a rhythm and only check it at row ends.

Check in with yourself: “Does this app make my crochet feel easier and calmer?” If the answer is no, you can change tools or go back to pen and paper. Your comfort matters more than any gadget.

Conclusion

Crochet and tech can work together in a friendly way. Apps help you organize patterns, track rows, and learn new stitches. Smart hooks can count and measure so your gauge and sizes stay consistent. Other digital tools, from pattern generators to AR try ons and communities, help you design, test, and share what you make.

You do not have to use everything. Even one small tech upgrade can make your crochet time smoother and more joyful. This week, try a simple row counter app, a learning helper like YarnPal, or a design tool for your next blanket idea.

Let your hook and yarn stay at the center, and let the tech sit quietly in the background, ready to help when you need it.

FAQS

What does “tech in crochet” actually mean?

Tech in crochet means using digital tools to support your crochet, not replace it.
It can be apps on your phone, smart crochet hooks that track stitches or tension, and online tools for patterns, design, or community.

Will using tech make my crochet feel less handmade?

No. Your hands still make every stitch.
Tech only helps with things like counting rows, storing patterns, and planning projects. It supports your craft, it does not take over.

I am not good with technology. Can I still use crochet apps?

Yes. Many crochet apps are very simple.
If you can open a photo or tap a button on your phone, you can use a row counter app or open a PDF pattern. You can always start with one tiny feature, like tapping “next row.”

What kinds of crochet apps are most helpful?

Crochet apps usually fall into a few main groups. Some help you store patterns, project notes, and yarn details in one place. Others act as row counters and progress trackers so you never lose your spot. There are learning and AI helper apps that explain stitches and patterns in plain language, and there are design and chart tools that let you create your own patterns. You only need to pick the type that fits how you like to crochet right now.

How can apps help me with big or long term projects?

Apps can be very helpful for blankets, garments, and other long term projects. You can set up a project in an app, attach the pattern, and track your row number every time you crochet. You can also write down which hook you used, which yarn you chose, and any changes you made to the pattern. When you pick the project up again after a break, all the information is waiting for you, so you do not have to guess where you stopped.

Christa Patel is a crocheter, pattern tester, and online teacher behind The Secret Yarnery . She loves turning tricky ideas into simple steps. She has spent years helping makers choose yarn, read patterns, and build skills with clear, simple guidance. On this blog, she shares honest insights and easy to follow tips so crocheters at any level can feel confident and creative.

Find more:

• Website: secretyarnery.com
• YouTube: The Secret Yarnery
• Free cheat sheets and resources: linked here