How to Make Your Own Custom Graphghans

How to Get Graphs for Graphghans

With Graphghans being the rage for crocheters. Crocheters are constantly looking for ways to create their own graphs. There are different resources out there such as websites that will allow you to make your own graphs to websites that do it for you.

The price ranges of the websites that offer this service vary and you should shop it around.

The Crochet Crowd doesn't provide the service of working with graph companies for crocheters or custom-create any graphs. We are not involved in this element of crochet but have provided resources below on more information and referrals of companies that provide this. 

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Two Types of Graphs

Graph Paper Graphs

The first graph concept is actually seeing a picture done in a graph format so you can see the box colours.

This type of concept requires you to count boxes. Generally, this concept takes longer and it is possible to make an error more so versus the second type of graph.

I found myself trying to work with charts like this really cumbersome and I am in fear of making a mistake that I may not find right away.

Word or Number Charts

Seen on the right is called a Word Chart. Some companies call this a number chart as well. I prefer this concept to overprint off a graph.

How this concept works is that you will follow the rows, step by step. The colours are assigned for you and the stitches are all the same. The pattern is shown in the bow tie scarf.

So how you read something like this is as follows:

Row 5, (2)A, (26)B, (2)A.

It's telling you the first two stitches are using colour A, the next 26 stitches are using colour B and the final 2 stitches are using colour A.

These types of patterns are very long as each line of the pattern has its own line. Using your pencil, you can check off the rows as you go. The counting is already done for you and must faster to follow along than the graph charting. You can use this Mikey Bow Tie Scarf as a trial if you like. The pattern is free compliments of Momma J.A.M Pack.

Sources for Making Your Own Graphs

Free Services

• Graph-ghan Tutorials - Free Tutorials by Mikey
  • I will show you how to read a graph.
  • Way to make your own graph.
  • How to change colours.

• Stitch Fiddle - Will Make Graphs and Crochet Diagrams.
  • This free program is probably the best free service I have seen so far.
  • It can do multiple types of graphs which include crochet, knitting and embroidery.
  • This website also has a free crochet diagram maker.
  • No sign up is required to play.

• Pattern Wizard Graph Maker – Will Make Graph Based Pattern for Free.
  • Has limited use of sizing. The program is technically designed for cross stitch but the graph it creates can be used for crochet. You can select colour counts and more.

Paid Services

• Linda's Yarn Art - Numbers Chart
  • This company provides numbers chart for photographic and other types of afghans.
  • Linda accepts digital artwork and photographs to be transferred to a numbers chart to follow along.
  • Linda will provide advice and help during the process and has an online community to help as well.
  • Prices range from $8 - $12 USD per picture.

• Momma’s J.A.M. Pack - Crochet Word Charts: Crochet Words, Not Squares
  • This company has a lot more detailed charts for photographic results for an afghan.
  • They have free examples to try to test your knowledge with tutorials to show you how to do it.
  • They have a lot of pre-done graph examples to purchase a pattern plus you can request a pattern be made. Review their requests area for this.
  • Prices range from $4 to $10.

• C2C Graphs - Graph and Written Instructions
  • Easy to understand graphs and written instructions for each graph.
  • The graphs are ranging from traditional to whimsical and have a diverse theme list for what you may enjoy.
  • Your purchase directly through ETSY and its an instant download. You can make arrangements for customization for a nominal fee.
  • Ready to Go Patterns range from $5 and up.

• Crochet by Numbers - Numbers Chart
  • Many of you have seen Crochet by Numbers examples online. They are a premium service of transferring a photograph to a graph and making it easy for you.
  • They can take any photograph you have and transfer them to a Number Chart.
  • They will give advice on which pictures work best.
  • You purchase their service and they will send you a PDF of the pattern that is custom created for you.
  • Prices range from $50 - $100 per picture.

Please note that none of these paid companies are sponsors of The Crochet Crowd. They are here as a courtesy to help crocheters. Please ensure you do your reviews prior to making a purchase. I would personally recommend these three companies if I were to share them with a friend.

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