Hello there!
Time to do something fun! Time to make a pattern from scratch using the Bellish app.
I have to be honest, I was a bit scared the first time that I opened it. After playing for a few minutes, I was very surprised, I fell in love with the app. It is a very easy and user-friendly app.
In today’s post, I will show you how to create your very first pattern and how to use the app and give you my honest opinion about it.
I also recorded a video explaining everything, showing you the app, how it works and what I made. So if you want to check that video first, you can go ahead and watch it now.
Now, let’s get started!
First, Bellish is an app that you can only download on iOs (Apple devices).
When you go to the App Store, this is how the app looks like:
You can download the app directly from here
After you download the app, you can start designing!
In this case, we are going to create a hat pattern for a baby.
At the bottom of the page, you will find a yellow button that says “Start a new design”
Click here to begin.
From here, the app will guide you through the options. It is a very easy process.
First, decide what size your design will be. You can choose between Adults, Children and Toddles (which includes preemie and up).
I chose Toddlers.
Next, choose what to design, in this case, a beanie.
After choosing the basics, now the app will give you a few options to personalize your design and create your pattern.
You can see all the options at the top of your page.
Click the next icon.
Now choose the body of your hat. Fitted or slouchy. I chose fitted.
Next the ribbing. Choose between flat or folded. I chose folded.
Next, the pompom. I chose without a pompom.
Now, click on the next icon at the top of your page.
Here, you can choose the stitch pattern. You can either leave it plain or add some texture. The app has a few fun stitches to choose from. I went with the Andalusian stitch.
Next, choose your yarn. You can choose from the following:
- Fingering Weight
- Sport Weight
- DK Weight
- Worsted Weight
I chose Worsted weight. If you guys have watched my videos, you already know how much I love chunky and super chunky yarn. Worsted weight was the chunkier, so that’s what I went for.
Next, choose your size, you can choose from Preemie to Adult. I chose 12 months.
I love that the app gives you also the measurements and not only the size. That way, you can measure your baby’s head and make sure that it will fit.
Next, choose your colour. In this, case the colour doesn’t really matter, but if you were to make a design that requires multiple colours, this part is very important. You can pick the number of colours, and then the app will tell you exactly how much yarn you need per colour, which is fantastic!
I picked yellow because I knew I wanted to use a mustard yarn that I had in my stash.
Click on the next icon, and now we have the 3 final options.
Materials: In here you can find the gauge, measurements and abbreviations. You can also find your supplies. The exact amount of yarn needed. Needle sizes and darning needles.
If you click back, you go back to the 3 options. Next, we have the option to Buy Yarn. And because the app knows what you need, it will show you some yarn options that you can purchase directly through the app.
In my case, I had the yarn in my stash, so I didn’t need this.
Lastly, we have the option to “Generate pattern instructions”.
Once you click on that, the app will generate all the instructions needed to knit your design!
You can also click and save as a draft or click Start knitting.
At the bottom right, you can see a few options that will be super helpful if you start knitting right away. Press the small highlighter icon to highlight the row you are currently working on.
And that is how you can use the Bellish app to create your very own design.
My thoughts
Bellish is an excellent app for beginners. If you don’t know how to write a pattern, the math isn’t your cup of tea, or you just want to knit something simple, this is the app to go for.
I also think that it is a very good option for people who are just learning how to knit different garments, playing with shapes and colour blocks.
I think that this app has a lot of potential, and it’s a very good tool that all knitters should have.
Even if you are an experienced knitter. Sometimes you just want to knit a simple sweater or a pair of socks and don’t want to be thinking about sizing, math and all of that. This app will do everything for you.
I really appreciate all the small details that the app will provide you after creating your design. From the measurements to the amount of yarn per colour.
So go ahead and download it, let me know what you think, play with it and tag me if you decide to make anything after reading this post!
I’m curious to know your thoughts!
I hope this post was helpful. See you next time!
Happy Knitting – Dani <3
