Pattern Manager

At a glance…

Pattern Manager is our reference app for reading and managing OPAF patterns.

With Pattern Manager you can:

Manage your library of OPAF pattern files
Manage your active projects
Configure new projects or import existing project files
Utilise a variety of interactive features such as progress tracking, responsive charts and interactive instructions

Features

Build your own library of patterns

Every time you add a pattern to the Pattern Manager, it will show in your library.

From here, you can configure and create as many projects as you like.

View full pattern information

Everything you need to know before you start is viewable by clicking on the pattern from the library.

See information about sizing, yarn and needle requirements, techniques used in the pattern and much more…

Customise and start

Pick a size, choose your options.

If the pattern allows, enter gauge and/or measurement information to truly customise the project!

Follow the pattern with ease

Follow well formatted instructions that will fit and scale to any size screen. Colour changes are clearly defined and repeats are easy to read with integrated counters.

Click on abbreviations to instantly see the full description. Check off rows and rounds as you work.

View and interact with charts

Clicking on underlined instructions brings up the associated chart.

Highlight chart rows to distinguish which round you are on.

Click on chart cells to bring up icon descriptions.

Keep tabs on projects in progress

In the projects tab you can view and manage your current projects.

Click on a project to open the pattern and continue where you left off.

Delete completed or abandoned projects.

Still not convinced about using an app?

Simply export your project to a PDF file and print!

FAQ

Is Open Pattern Format free to use?

Open Pattern Format is an open specification without proprietary licensing restrictions. The format will always be free to use and royalty free.

Why Open Source?

Making the Open Pattern Format open source and royalty free safeguards the formats future. OPAF will always be openly available and accessible so everyone can contribute to it’s success. The specification is driven by the community and anybody is free to add support for the format to their apps and services without restriction.

Is Pattern Manager free?

Yes! The Pattern Manager app will be free to download and use with no ads. There will always be a free pattern reading app available to make sure pattern files are accessible.

As OPAF is an open standard and royalty free we encourage others to create their own apps or integrate support for OPAF into their existing services.

Where is the Pattern Manager available?

The Pattern Manager app can run on most devices and currently supports Android, iOS, MacOS, Windows and Linux. We are currently working on making the app available in the Google Play Store, Apple Store and Microsoft Store. We hope that in time the app will be available in as many places as possible!

Are OPAF patterns free?

OPAF pattern files can be sold and distributed in the same ways as PDF patterns are today. How much a designer charges (or doesn’t charge) and how they distribute their pattern remains up to them.

Where can I find OPAF patterns?

You can browse the Pattern Index to find patterns available in the OPAF format. Links to pattern files will be made available by the designer using their chosen distribution channels.

Some free patterns are available to ‘Open in App’ from the Pattern Index.

Currently the library of OPAF patterns is small. As the format becomes more established, more patterns will become available. The best way to keep up to date with new releases is to sign up to our mailing list (and keep an eye on the blog).

Will all patterns be customisable?

Not necessarily. It depends on the designer and what configuration options they make available in their patterns. Making a pattern truly customisable isn’t always straight forward and many parameters need to be taken into consideration. However, all patterns should benefit from all of the other interactive features that the file format offers.

How do I add patterns to my library?

There are a few ways to add patterns to your library:

If you have downloaded the .opafpkg file to your device, open the app and click the ‘+’ button on the bottom right side of the library tab. Find the .opafpkg file on your device and select it to load it into the app. Currently OPAF files are not associated with the app so if you open them in your file manager you will likely just see raw XML data.

You can add free patterns from the Pattern Index by simply clicking on the ‘Open in App’ button. Just make sure you have the app installed first!

Some designers may offer OPAF pattern links from within a PDF file. These links will either enable you to load the pattern into Pattern Manager directly or download the file to your device, or both.