The Story Behind Patchwork

My wife picked up crochet this past year.

Before that, she'd always said she wasn't creative. Not the kind of thing she said lightly. She believed it about herself. And then she started crocheting and something shifted. For the first time in years, I got to witness that part of her come alive. The part I'd always known was there.

Then one day she said, "I'd love an app that could quickly turn a photo into a pattern."

Something about that stuck with me. I was inspired and it seemed simple enough that I could try. So I said less and started building. I quickly whipped up a Mac app that did exactly what she needed. But what started as a quick experiment turned into something I couldn't stop thinking about within days. I realized there was a real gap here, a real need. Not just a photo converter, but a proper pattern editor.

Along the way she became my sounding board and my main source of feedback.

I went looking at what existed in this space. What I found was disappointing. As a designer, none of them felt cared for. Some did one or two things well, but nothing struck a good balance. Some were so utilitarian and overwhelming you couldn't breathe. Others were so stripped down they took away all your power.

I knew I could make something better.

The more I built, the more I understood what makers actually need.

Speed. You have an idea and want to start creating as fast as possible.

Beauty. You'll only open what feels good to use. The craft is complex enough.

Simplicity. Get out of the way. But don't strip away what you can do.

Power. Offer flexibility to explore and experiment as your skills grow.

Privacy. Your photos stay on device, your patterns are yours.

This is for anyone who makes patterns. Crocheters. Cross-stitchers. Knitters. Needlepointers. Anyone with something they want to create.

Patchwork isn't magic. It's just a better way to make a pattern.

Because I watched what happens when someone discovers their creativity, and feels that part of themselves come alive. That's what this is for.

— Troy