Purl vs YarnBuddy: Which Knitting Tracker Fits Your WIPs?
Purl vs YarnBuddy for knitters: compare project memory, row counters, stash tracking, pattern PDFs, sharing, and device support.
By Purl
Your sweater is in the cupboard. The blanket is in a tote. A pair of socks is waiting beside the sofa. Three projects, three places to lose the last note.
YarnBuddy and Purl both help you keep track of a WIP. YarnBuddy reaches into the knitting session with counters, pattern markers, and stash tools. Purl keeps a project record that you can open from a browser when you want to remember the work around the stitches.
How we compared
We compared the tools around the moments that make a WIP easier to resume: setting up the project, working through a pattern, tracking materials and progress, and finding the next step later. We used YarnBuddy's official site and user guide, then compared those workflows with Purl's current web app. The focus is the difference between a detailed knitting-session tracker and a project record built around context.
Pick the level of detail you need
YarnBuddy describes itself as a project tracker and row counter for knitters and crocheters. Its guide covers project details, photos, notes, imported PDFs, counters, row alerts, time tracking, due dates, yarn stash, and tools. YarnBuddy Pro adds unlimited projects, tags, pattern annotations, and reminders.
The listing includes iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch support.
Purl is a web app. You can create multiple projects, mark them active, paused, or completed, add a manual percentage, save notes and photos, record yarn and needle details, write down decisions, attach a PDF, and share a project page with comments.
YarnBuddy asks how the knitting session is going. Purl asks what you will need when you return.
A project can hold more than a counter
YarnBuddy helps you work inside a project. You can place a pattern beside adjustable markers and counters, add a row note, link yarn from your stash, and keep details with the pattern.
Purl helps you choose the next project. Open a paused WIP and you can see its photo, materials, decision, percentage, notes, and PDF. You do not need to remember which notebook holds the yarn substitution.
Take a colorwork yoke. YarnBuddy can help you count and mark the pattern. Purl can hold the photo that shows the shape, the note about the contrast color, and the reason you changed it.
Context, progress, files, and sharing
| Need | YarnBuddy | Purl |
|---|---|---|
| Project details | Yarn, gauge, hook or needle sizes, dates, notes, images, tags, and more | Status, manual percentage, notes, photos, yarn, needles, decisions, and project details |
| Pattern work | Import PDFs, highlighter bars, customizable counters, linked and repeating counters, and row notes | Attach and open the original PDF; no parsing or row-level guidance |
| Materials | Yarn stash, tool stash, quantities, care details, and project relationships | Yarn and needle details within the project; no separate stash inventory |
| Return workflow | Counters, row notes, project status, and saved details | Open a project with its saved history, photos, notes, decisions, and attachments |
| Sharing | Official pages focus on personal project and material management | Private, shared, or public project pages with comments |
| Platform | iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch listed in the Apple App Store | Web app |
YarnBuddy can import and annotate patterns on supported devices. Purl keeps an ordinary source PDF with the project. Purl does not parse the file, create instructions, or provide AI pattern help.
The better fit depends on your project bag
YarnBuddy suits a knitter who:
- wants counters and pattern markers beside the instructions
- keeps a yarn, needle, or tool inventory
- prefers an Apple workflow that includes Watch support
- wants row alerts, time tracking, or due dates
Purl suits a knitter who:
- moves between WIPs and loses the thread of each one
- cares about decisions and photos as well as numeric progress
- wants private, shared, and public project pages
- prefers a browser to a device-specific app
You can use YarnBuddy during the knitting session and Purl for the handoff. At the end of the session, add one Purl note and one photo when something changed. Do not copy each counter tap.
More from Purl
For pattern tools, read Purl vs knitCompanion. For pattern discovery and community, see Purl vs Ravelry. Purl vs Knit&Note covers patterns, stash, tools, and community in one service. The Purl feature overview shows the project record.
Conclusion
Choose YarnBuddy for counters, stash, and device-level knitting tools during the session. Choose Purl when you want to open a project and find the context that makes the next session possible. If you use both, let YarnBuddy hold the detailed pattern work and let Purl hold the decisions, photos, and handoff to your future self.
Purl is a web app. Join Purl's waitlist to hear when the project companion is ready to try.