Are you fascinated by knitting and crocheting but left bewildered by the complicated terminology and symbols that fill teaching materials? YarnPal is a friendly instructor that provides approachable, step-by-step instructions to lead you from your first stitch to sophisticated creations.

What we love: Our editors love the variety of choices on the app’s home page, especially the limitless inspirations found in the Trending section, which is frequently updated with seasonal and holiday themes like Easter eggs, Halloween coasters and gingerbread man stockings. Each pattern lists a difficulty level, time estimate and required materials and is accompanied by clear live-action tutorials. If you want to make sure you’ve mastered the essentials, then work through the project’s list of Key Stitches & Techniques before you dive in.

Quick tips: Do you already have a style in mind? Go to Smart Tool and describe it in words for the app’s built-in AI to generate designs and stitch patterns. You can also upload a photo and have the AI identify stitches and techniques, letting you get started more easily.

Meet the creator: Pixelcell Limited is an independent developer that specialises in creative tools for hobbyists. The inspiration for YarnPal came when a team member reconnected with a childhood scarf hand-knitted by a relative. That discovery reawakened her interest in knitting and led to the creation of an app that combines diagrams and videos into a personal knitting instructor.