About Symbol Structure

What it is & Why it is

Symbol Structure is a browser-based pattern design tool for punchcard knitting and general motif design. It runs entirely in your browser, no installation needed, and also works offline as a Progressive Web App.

Its name reflects two things that define this work: symbols carry meaning, and structure makes that meaning repeatable. A punchcard is both: a grid of symbols arranged into a pattern that can be read, shared, and made physical in yarn.

I built this app because it fits exactly how I like to work, and because I needed a tool to make punchcards after getting my first punchcard machine. I hope it can be that for you too.

Features

• Punch-card editor with adjustable stitch and row counts
• Colour mode for row-by-row and per-cell colour assignment
• Pattern library with built-in motifs, borders, and all-over patterns
• Fragment selection — save any rectangular region as a reusable building block
• Community library — optionally share your patterns with other users
• Composition sequencer to chain patterns and fragments in order
• Export as PNG
• Offline-capable: works without internet after first load
• Free, ad-free, and no third-party tracking

Who made it

Symbol Structure is made by Angela Minster, a designer and developer with an interest in craft, code, and the patterns that emerge at their intersection.

Contact

Questions, feedback, requests, please reach out: hello@symbolstructure.com

Technology

Symbol Structure is a vanilla JavaScript PWA — no frontend framework. Patterns are stored locally in the browser and synced to Supabase when you are signed in. Hosted on Vercel. Fonts via Google Fonts. No analytics or advertising scripts of any kind.