KnitSpeaker Patent Pending The revolutionary new mobile device app for knitters.

Transcription

1 KnitSpeaker Patent Pending The revolutionary new mobile device app for knitters. KnitSpeaker reads and displays the steps of knitting pattern repeats to the knitter at an adjustable pace. Developed by Leslye Solomon Have you ever attempted to follow a knitting pattern and discovered a mistake along the way by getting confused by the complicated instructions in the row? Knitters must read the directions from the written page and memorize as many steps as possible while performing the knitting. Any knitter of any age can make a mistake by forgetting or missing a part of a direction resulting in frustration and time wasted. The patent-pending KnitSpeaker App reads the steps of your pattern repeat to you at the pace you select, which helps to eliminate the chance of mistakes and increases productivity by enabling knitters to enjoy knitting even the most complicated knit pattern. Read the following manual to learn how it works: When you touch the KnitSpeaker icon on home screen, you will see the next screen of four selections. Touch New Project to title, identify, and input a new project. Touch Project Library to return to a project already in progress. Touch Glossary of Abbreviations to use as a reference to see and read a definition of the knitting abbreviation. The glossary is accessible while inputting your pattern.

2 Touch Instructions for the manual (that s where you are now). At this time you can touch the i in the upper right hand corner of this screen and learn about X-Cube, the company that helped Leslye Solomon develop her vision to create this helpful, easy-to-use, app. To begin, press New Project. Identify or title your project by a name that you choose for it. Next, record the name of yarn being used; select the weight of yarn, the gauge or number of stitches per inch or centimeters, and needle size. For your convenience, record the publication where the repeat originates from, as well as any notes desired. After inputting the project information, Touch Start. The next screen shows the cell where you will begin to input row 1 of the pattern. Touch the row 1 space to activate the blue flashing cursor. On the lower half of the screen, you will find three columns to scroll through and see alphabetical lists of knitting abbreviations, numbers, or instructions. The column locates various types or functions of knitting. Let s explore: Touch PRIMARY: The primary category is a short list of the most often used knitting steps. In alphabetical order you will see: Dec (decrease) Inc (increase) K (knit) K2tog (knit 2 together) P (purl) P2tog (purl 2 together) Psso (pass slip stitch over) Sl (slip) Ssk (slip, slip, knit) Yo (yarn over) Touch any abbreviation to input your pattern. By scrolling though the list you can select the steps that make up your pattern repeat. Numbers will pop up (*with some exception) when a step is selected. This enables the knitter to select the step and a number. Example: For the step K3. Select

3 K for knit and scroll to and align the number 3 with the K. With the blue cursor flashing, touch CHECK ( ) to input K3, which will appear in the row 1 cell. Continue to the next step of your pattern. The step will appear followed by a comma. In the next paragraph, you will learn how to add time using KnitSpeaker s time-spacers between each step. Every abbreviation, word, or number has a voice recording linked to it as well as a visual display. After you select your row, you can listen to it to check it or play it. *Note: In the category of numbers located in the far right column, there are times when the numbers disappear: If you select K2tog, the number selection display is not necessary. Time-Spacers (+) One of the most important features of KnitSpeaker is the ability to allow you to customize the knitting time to comfortably perform each step of the pattern. After selecting the category, the knitting abbreviations, and number of stitches, estimate how much time is needed to perform each step after your selection. Do this by touching the Knitspeaker time-spacers (+) button located above the CHECK BOX ( ) after each selection. Each + is one second of time. Studies have shown that the average time a knitter takes to knit a stitch is 1 ½ to 2 seconds. Example: K2 will take a time of 4 seconds. Place four time-spaces (+) after K2. (K2++++). If the next step is P8, more time will be needed to purl 8 stitches (k2,++++, p ). Select more + after the step to perform the 8 stitches. Simply start out by estimating how much time is needed and adjust the time by eliminating or adding the + as the pattern is worked. At any time, while inputting your pattern or while playing your pattern, use the edit mode to adjust the time to your particular speed of knitting. Using the magnifying glass explained below, add or subtract time-spacers (+) using Delete Item. Use the magnifying glass to accurately place the cursor. For accurate cursor placement, touch and hold the general area of the cell you wish to adjust. A magnifying glass will appear and through it you will

4 see the blue cursor. Move the cursor to the desired placement for adding or deleting. To delete a step, place the cursor to the right of the comma and select delete item. Not only is time used in making a series of stitches, but also consider allowing time for positioning stitches and making more yarn available. You may find it is necessary to add time to do things other than just knitting stitches. You may add the word turn at end of the row as the last audio to let you know you have reached the end of the row. After the word turn, you can add many seconds of time to turn and begin the next row. The Basics Category list of abbreviations: This is a general list of words and steps commonly found in knitting. Scroll through the alphabetical list to become familiar with the words and steps available to build the steps of a pattern row. Utilize multiple categories (Primary, Basics, Cables & Twists, Miscellaneous, and Numbers) to build the repeat. Every effort has been made to make selection easy to locate and learn. Become familiar with the abbreviations that are meant to be a part of a direction by listening to or referring to the glossary. Example: k to.. Use this to build a direction such as knit to the last 3 stitches. You would select k to, and then select the last, then select 3, and then select sts to build the group of audio recordings needed to complete the row. The C & T Category (cables and twists) list of abbreviations: This is a special category for the most often-used words and steps to build the directions for cables and twists. There may be a number of names for one type of cable or twist. Instead of looking through an extensive list of abbreviations, you will have a choice as to how to input a cable or twist. When directed to perform a simple cable, you can choose to hear cable. To just hear the prompt cross or cable, select 0 to hear the prompt once. Select abbreviations such as cable back or cable 4 front to know when to make a cable that is familiar. However, it may be necessary to hear

5 every part of the cable step. A typical direction to perform a cable might be to slip next 2 stitches to a cable needle and hold in back (or front), knit 2, knit 2 from cable needle. Select sl next, aligned with the 2, st (stitches) to a cable needle and hold in back or front (to cn b) or (to cn f), K2, K2 from cable needle (frm CN). Look at the many abbreviations and become familiar with them. Use them in any way to build your cable and twist directions, so when you listen, you will know what to do. Example: The abbreviation to cn f represents to a cable needle and hold in front. Cut/Copy/Paste To save time, select and copy a frequently used phrase or series of steps and utilize the ability to paste it when it appears in the repeat again. Miscellaneous Category list of abbreviations: Less frequently used abbreviations can be found in this category. Explore them to become familiar with the list. Become familiar with our abbreviations that may not be what is typically used in knitting due to the limited space of the device. If there is a stitch that is not listed, use the custom stitch step located in the Misc category. When prompted to perform custom stitch 1, 2, 3, or 4 it will indicate or prompt you to do a particular step; familiar, learned, but not included at this time in KnitSpeaker. Please contact us so we may add this to our list in our next update. We expect that our list will evolve and grow through future updates. The Numbers Category Select any number to input into your pattern repeat. The pattern may say K2, P16, K2 and you will be able to find the 16 or any number necessary to input your direction in this category. Patterns frequently state how many

6 stitches are remaining in a row and you can select to hear the number and the word stitches. Read Row: Check the accuracy of the input. It is very important to take the time to check your pattern entry. After a section of a row, the entire rows, or series of rows, check it at any time by using your ears and eyes. Press READ ROW while looking at the pattern on the page and listen to the selections out loud. Time spacing will not be activated while checking to make this process faster. Discover and adjust any mistakes. Go to NEXT ROW to input or check the next row. To see the entire row that was selected in the small space of the cell, you may need to scroll in the cell with a finger to expose all text. If a mistake is found or if the audio is not playing, utilize the magnifying glass to place the cursor on the right side of the step and delete item and the time spacers. Re-input any step that seems to not work as your fingers may have accidentally missed the accurate selection. Repeat when asterisks are needed The language of knitting involves sets of repeatable groups of steps. KnitSpeaker will repeat the group of steps as many times as you need. If you do not know how many repeats are within the row, especially in the beginning of your project, you may select infinity as your number and the repeat will endlessly repeat until you manually stop it. Select the first category, REPEAT, and notice the middle section automatically shows an asterisk and the word start. Select this to start a repeat. THIS MUST BE DONE BEFORE INPUTTING REMAINING STEPS. To input a repeat within asterisks, touch REPEAT and *Start, (no numbers appear in the third column) and the CHECK BOX ( ) to enter your selection. When this is selected, an asterisk appears to indicate the beginning of a repeat. NOTE: MAKE SURE THE CURSOR IS ACTIVE, AND THEN SELECT THE CHECK BOX ( ). After inputting the various steps of the repeat, select REPEAT and END* to end the repeat. Example: *K4, P8, YO, K2tog*. When

7 you select end* select either infinity (for an unknown number of times the repeat happens in a row), or if the number of times the repeat occurs is indicated in the pattern, select that number, and press the CHECK BOX ( ). Example of when you are not sure of the number of repeats in a row: *k4, p8, yo, k2tog* Category (repeat/ end/ ) to the last 4 stitches, k4. In this case, you will select REPEAT/start, k4, p8, yo, k2tog, REPEAT/end and press the infinity symbol (found above the 0). All steps within the repeat will continue to repeat over and over again until you manually stop it. To do the last remaining stitches (k4 in this example), move the slider to progress it to the exact spot to see and hear the directions for the last remaining stitches. Learn how many repeats are in the row. It is advisable that as soon as the number of repeats is learned by counting or doing the math, return back to the edit mode to input the number of times repeats are required to complete the row. The remaining steps outside of the repeat will be heard following the multiple repeats. If your pattern tells you how many times the repeat should be performed, KnitSpeaker will repeat the steps within the asterisks for the number of times you selected, followed by the remaining steps. *k4, p8, yo, k2tog * 4 times. Select the 4 after selecting REPEAT/end and the CHECK BOX ( ). Remember to add KnitSpeaker s time-spacers after each step. Some repeats have an additional set of repeats within them. The language of knitting uses parentheses. KnitSpeaker understands the language of knitting and will repeat the steps, as you need to hear them. Instead of using parentheses, use the asterisks again within the row. Example: *k2, p4, *yo, k2tog* 5 times, p4, k2*, 3 times.

8 It s now time to try KnitSpeaker. Using headphones is a comfortable and convenient method of listening rather than relying on the speakers of a mobile device. Touch Play, to SEE and HEAR the steps of the pattern and knit at a comfortable pace. While in the Play mode, notice the span of time between the delivery of the next step. Feel free to adjust the time between steps by adding or subtracting times-spacers (+). Never place time-spacers before a step. After inputting and checking the rows of your repeat, you are now ready to press play to listen and knit. Press edit to continue to input, or stay on the editing screen. Play Pattern to begin to knit. Use headphones or ear-buds when you are ready to listen to each step of the repeat, and then touch play pattern followed by play. You will see the play screen. At the top of the screen you will see a visual of the first step of your repeat. In the lower half, you will see a play arrow. When you touch the play arrow, your pattern will begin. When you hear your pattern, you will be able to hear the step and notice the time between each step. To stop the audio; press the two double vertical lines. (II) To advance the row; move the circle on the slider to the left or right to see the visual of the desired step. To go back or advance the rows, touch the double arrows to the left and right of the play arrow. Below the arrows, see a display of the present row. NOTE: Any edit (adjustment of time or selected step) will cause KnitSpeaker to go to row 1. After the edit, using the double arrows, advance to the desired row by using the arrows found on either side of the play arrow. When you have finished the last row of the repeat, manually return to begin row 1.

9 IMPORTANT TIP: KnitSpeaker is not a row counter. Please continue using your row counter. At this time, due to the nature of this device, which is operated by a simple touch, be aware of the fact that an advancement of the row in either direction can accidentally take place. Always check your row to make sure you are about to follow the row you want to do. When the row ends, it will continue to the next row. To eliminate potential confusion, you may choose to hear the word turn as the last step selected at the end of each row. You may wish to select the abbreviation RS for right side or WS for wrong side at the beginning of each row. Remember to select the word turn and add extra time by repeatedly pressing the time-spacer (+) button after the last step to give you time to sip the tea, move the dog or cat over just a little, get more yarn, and arrange your stitches to get ready to start the next row. When you have completed a row and you hear the word turn, you may prefer to stop the audio manually, get ready to knit the next row, and touch play to allow it to go to the next row. You can manually advance to the next row. Adjustment of global time You have the ability to add time globally (time between all steps) by going to the edit screen and adjusting the audio delay between steps. Touch the 0.0 sec and select any amount of seconds you need between all steps. To hear the audio at a slower speed, select 1 to 5 (or more) seconds between all steps. To adjust specifically between individual steps, utilize the time-spacers (+). The Glossary: If an abbreviation is unfamiliar, press the i information button found below the CHECK BOX ( ). An explanation of our abbreviation will appear

10 along with a possible picture or series of pictures to define the abbreviation. Press back to return to the knitting screen or edit screen. Try our patterns: Included with your download is a sample of patterns already selected. See Notes on the edit screen to find out how many stitches to cast on and other information. To see pictures of our patterns, go to the Project Library. To see the hidden picture of these patterns, press Glossary, and the basics category. Then touch the words again to see the first stitch pattern, all to see the second pattern, and all together to see the third pattern. The pre-loaded patterns do not have pre-selected time-spacing. Please feel free to adjust the time spacing of our patterns to your liking. Look for further patterns in future updates and KnitSpeaker publications. I hope by spending a few minutes inputting, checking, and adjusting the pattern repeat, KnitSpeaker will increase your enjoyment and productivity. It will save you hours of always having to refer back to the pattern, save you from making frustrating mistakes, avoid the need to restart, and entice you to create beautiful, complicated patterns that become easier to produce. For any comments, suggestions, or problems, and for our devoted support, please contact us at KnitSpeaker.com. Sincerely, Leslye Solomon KnitSpeaker.com Leslye Solomon is an accomplished knitter and recognized contributor to the subject of the continental style knitting, knitwear design, and sweater finishing. Leslye s uniquely developed techniques for continental knitting and sweater finishing are captured in her celebrated DVD series. A teacher at heart, Leslye s passion for the knitter s success has earned her a popular nationwide following of novices and experts alike. With an

11 extensive background in pattern writing, construction, and as a yarn shop owner, Leslye conceived the idea for KnitSpeaker, an easy-to-use, multifaceted mobile knitting app. Effectively merging Leslye s knitting expertise with technology; KnitSpeaker keeps the best interests of the knitter firmly in sight while enhancing the experience, efficiency and enjoyment of the craft.