Needlepoint Design Software

Posted By admin  On 16.08.21

EasyGrapher Specialty is a computer design program for needlework designers who want to create needlepoint, Hardanger, Bargello, plastic canvas, and other 'canvas style' needlework graphs.

Specialty is different from most other graphing programs in that the grid lines represent the threads of the fabric. No longer do needlepoint and other similar designers have to adjust designs done with a cross stitch design program.

EasyGrapher Specialty is easy to use, versatile, and produces professional quality graphs fast! With features that can also be found in EasyGrapher Professional 2004, Specialty is for designers who do not yet need the power of our professional program.

  1. Software for bead design patterns is a wonderful assistant for a needlewoman. You may create your own patterns and transform your favorite photos and pictures into the patterns for bead embroidery or machine bead weaving. You may choose the bead palette, bead shape, and color. Many programs support various stitching techniques for bead embroidery.
  2. Cross Stitch Saga (IPAD/IPHONE) REPLACEMENT: StitchSketch ($8) – 8/10 Following Cross Stitch Saga’s removal from the apple store, the best alternative is StitchSketch a paid alternative from the makers of KGchart. I’ve also created a great infographic on which is the best cross stitch pattern software for easy selection.

Graphs can be designed and printed in color or black and white using up to 22 different line styles (or colors) for long stitches. They can include lazy daisy, queen, and picot stitches. Parts of the grid can be deleted for drawn thread or cut work.

Crosti is a free open source cross stitch design software for Windows that lets you create stitched patterns easily. By using this software, you can convert image into cross stitch pattern. This free cross stitch design software can show a detailed cross stitch pattern up to 4.

Also, because we listen to our customers, we include a complete, printed reference manual with the program.

EasyGrapher Specialty sells for $99. Additional ordering and price information is on the Ordering page.


Program Features

In the interest of space, only the more important features arelisted. If you are looking for a particular feature not listed, first check the EasyGrapher Professional page. If it isn't there, you can email us about it. We do not yet have a demoavailable for Specialty, but we will be posting one soon.

Graph design features
  1. Stitch lines can be drawn in 22 different line styles/colors with 'point-to-point' drawing.
  2. Stitch lines can end either inside the grid (9 places) or on grid lines.
  3. Lazy daisy, queen, picot stitches, and French knots can be drawn.
  4. Up to 108 symbols of your choosing, from a possible 139, can be drawn on grid lines.
  5. Symbols are specially designed for needlework graphs
  6. Graph size is virtually unlimited (500 by 500).
  7. DMC and Anchor floss lines available plus the ability to create custom colors.
  8. Create graphs with both square and non-square grid sizes.
  9. Delete portion of the grid for drawn thread or cut work.

View features
  1. Design graphs in color directly on the screen.
  2. The fabric/background color can be changed to any DMC or Anchor color
  3. Display the graph in 8 different grid sizes on the screen
  4. Customize the display to use white, black, or colored symbols or stitches and colored, white, or black stitch lines
  5. Toolbar can be customized for quick access to your most used commands.

Editing features
  1. Cut, copy, paste, flip, delete, and rotate designs or parts of designs
  2. Supports true multi-level undo to erase mistakes.
  3. Patterns (motifs) or whole graphs can be pasted directly from disk files.

Print features
  1. Prints beautiful, professional quality graphs in black and white or color with variable grid sizes, 4 different line options, and 3 different symbol options.
  2. Customize the printed graph using special margins and include center line markers, customizable title line, blank grid squares around the border, and page numbers.
  3. Print an extra row and column for graphs needing more than one page.
  4. Easily print graph paper in any grid count, including fractional counts.
  5. Print highly customizable color charts (legends) with options to sort and print in 2 columns.

Other features
  1. Comprehensive help is available on the screen as you are using the program.
  2. Graph size calculator helps in calculating the size of stitched graphs.
  3. Graphs from our DOS EasyGrapher Specialty can be read and converted.

System requirements:

  • A PC with at least 512mb of RAM
  • Windows 98 through Vista plus 32-bit Windows 7. EasyGrapher Specialty is not compatible with 64-bit Windows versions.
  • a Pentium II processor
  • 8mb of disk space
  • a mouse
  • a CD-ROM drive

These are the minimum requirements. More memory and a faster processor, whichmost computers have these days, are stronglyrecommended, especially if you design large charts.

I am often asked 'Do you use counted cross stitch software to design your kits?' Or 'Will your computer convert a photo to cross stitch?'

Whereas most programs do have a feature to automatically convert photos, that is not necessarily the best way to create a cross stitch pattern.

Software

However, I do now use a computer to speed up the process of creating my own designs.

My early days of designing

Back in the early 1990's I started playing around with designing my own patterns. I used cross stitch graph paper and coloured pencils along with plenty of glue sticks!

One of my projects was to design commemorative samplers for friends. Each motif was drawn onto squared paper, then cut out, and pasted onto a larger sheet of paper. This cut and paste job was time consuming, messy and sticky!

Next, I designed some small cross stitch motifs and submitted them to a major UK needlework magazine. They were accepted and I was lucky enough to be asked to design for them on a regular basis.

My introduction to computers

In order to look professional I suggested to my husband that we bought an electric typewriter.

He thought a computer would make more sense and offered to buy me one. I have to admit that back then, the thoughts of using a computer frightened me, but he agreed that if I really didn't get on with it, he would swap it for a typewriter after 3 weeks.

So what happened three weeks later? He would have had to chop off my hand to make me let go of the computer!

Needlepoint

Soon after that I discovered my first DOS cross stitch software. It enabled me to print the charts that I sent to the magazine so they were neat and easy to read. No more scruffy hand-drawn charts with parts of the paper almost worn away where I had erased mistakes.

I soon learned that the benefits of designing cross stitch (and later blackwork) on the computer were many.

The next step was a bigger and better computer (why is the one we have never good enough?) and I looked around for a Windows program.

By this time we also had the internet and I downloaded and tried all the cross stitch software I could find. I eventually settled on the most expensive program I could find, after all if it cost a lot it must be good eh?

Sadly the software I had chosen was slow to be updated, and eventually I started looking around for a replacement.

I happily used Easy Cross for many years until moving from PCs to a Mac.

Cross stitch software for the Mac

Cross stitch software for the Mac was harder to find. Eventually I found MacStitch by Ursa Software.

This worked well and did just what I needed. The company also provide a version for Windows, and even one for the iPad, so I can design wherever I am. Guess who is now a happy girl?

Quilting Design Software

Now for something exciting! Jeff at Ursa has kindly allowed me to offer both versions (Mac and Windows) to you at a discount price. You can use the button underneath to order a copy for yourself.


Do you have a question about charting or designing a pattern of your own?

If you are a budding designer, or just want to chart out a special poem or quote to hang on your wall, I am sure there are questions you would like answered. Unless you know another designer, it is difficult to find those answers isn't it? Well not any longer! You can ask me.
I don't profess to being the fount of all knowledge, but after having been a designer for many years I might just be able to steer you in the right direction. There is no harm in asking is there?...

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