converting picture to graph

[iHeartFlonkerton]

hi, i'm new. my name is victoria.

 

forgive me if this has already been asked, but i am far too lazy to search for it.

 

i want to make an afghan for a friend... i have a picture that i'd like to use:

 

i'm planning on using hdc stitches as opposed to the afghan stitch (quite frankly, the afghan stitch is just far too slow for me... heh. her birthday is march 7th, and i'd like to get it sent to her before then. yeah, i know, i should have started this sooner.)

 

AAAAAANYWAY... does anyone know a site or program (preferably free... i'm a broke college student) where i can convert the picture to a graph?

 

i'd like the main color of the afghan to be off-white, and the cat to be black, and fairly large and in the center.

 

also, are there any general guidelines as to what the l&w should be, as far as stitches go? i don't know what the actual dimensions are of a "standard" afghan.

 

i've done filet crochet before, so i know the basics of graphs, as far as how to do them.

 

thanks for any help you can give me!

[iHeartFlonkerton]

ok, i don't know why the picture's not showing up right.... i'm just using one of the cats as a pattern.

[YarnMover]

There are a couple, this one I like the best because you can tell it how many colors you want to use and the sizing is better.

 

http://www.pic2point.com/main.php

 

and then there is this one:

 

http://www.microrevolt.org/knitPro/

 

After using the first on, I then use the second website to make the graph bigger.

[YarnMover]

As for the length and width, it depends on what stitch you are going to use.

 

I prefer to use single crochet on a graph pattern, but half double crochet is nice too. Some even prefer double crochet.

 

Anyhow, just find a regular afghan pattern that is of the stitch you plan to use and then you can take your row and stitch count from it.

 

If you haven't made a graph-aghan before, each square across is one stitch, and each square up and down is one row -- that is why I like to use single crochet, it is pretty much the same height up and across for a stitch.

 

If you don't want your cat pattern to fill the entire afghan and want a border around it, then you can just plan on x number of rows on the top and the bottom and x number of stitches on either side, centering the pattern.

[YarnMover]

Sorry for another post, but when I first posted the websites, the first on was incorrect. I fixed it to the right one (that I like the best) which is:

 

http://www.pic2point.com/main.php

[iHeartFlonkerton]

awesome! thank you so much!

[RoseRed]

that is an awesome link! thanx!

[YarnMover]

[moppet]

oh ive been looking for a good program like that! Thanks for sharing!

[boksie]

Sorry for another post, but when I first posted the websites, the first on was incorrect. I fixed it to the right one (that I like the best) which is:

 

http://www.pic2point.com/main.php

 

Thank you for posting this link. There used to be another site that allowed you to make a graphic and specify how many colors but it isn't available now.

[iHeartFlonkerton]

Sorry for another post, but when I first posted the websites, the first on was incorrect. I fixed it to the right one (that I like the best) which is:

 

http://www.pic2point.com/main.php

 

ok, now i'm confused... on this one, what would i put for "thread count" and "canvas width"? i've figured out the dimensions: 150x180 sts. (approx)

[YarnMover]

I use the http://www.pic2point.com/main.php to get the color setup, then I copy/save the picture I want, (save the preview picture as a jpeg file), and then I use the http://www.microrevolt.org/knitPro/ to set the number of squares I need.

 

Most of the time, you have to play with your graph to get the squares to the count you need. The above web sites are basically to get you started.

[iHeartFlonkerton]

thanks so much for the help yarnmover! i've finally got it figured out... now i'm just experimenting with the size... once i get that figured out, i'll add stitches to add length & width.

 

which means, since i'm on a time constraint, i'm working on it 24/7. i JUST finished another pair of blankets (for a friend's newborn twins... i'll post a picture of those soon) so i'm glad to finally start on this.