Drawing layers let you write and draw over the chart without changing your completed stitches. Keep backstitch, notes and corrections separate, then show or hide each layer whenever you need it.

You can add up to five drawing layers. Open them from the Layers panel.

Set Up a Layer

Select
Tap the circle at the start of a row. The active layer is where the next stroke or note will be placed.
Show or hide
Tap the eye. Hiding a layer does not delete its strokes or notes.
Colour and thickness
Tap the colour to choose a new one. Tap the thickness value to cycle through the available sizes.
Drawing mode
Tap the pen icon to open the mode choices. Only one layer's mode menu opens at a time.
Name
Give the layer a useful name such as Backstitch, French Knots or Notes.

The Drawing Modes

  • Freehand: draw naturally with your finger or stylus.
  • Straight: drag from one point to another to create a clean solid line.
  • Dashed: create a straight dashed line, useful for a different backstitch type or a temporary guide.
  • Dot: place dot marks for details such as French knots.
  • Triangle: place a triangular marker for a special stitch or reminder.
  • Text: tap the chart to add a note, then enter the text and save it.

Straight and dashed lines snap to half-grid-square positions and can continue from the previous end point, helping connected runs stay neat across the chart.

-o0o-

Layer Tools

The drawing layers panel with four numbered layer tools

  • 1. Add: creates a new drawing layer and makes it active. A project can have up to five.
  • 2. Eraser lock: is locked by default to prevent accidental deletion. Unlock it, then tap a stroke or note to erase it.
  • 3. Move up or down: changes the order in which drawing layers appear. A higher layer is drawn over those below it.
  • 4. Delete: removes the active drawing layer and everything on it after confirmation.
  • Undo and Redo: drawing changes have their own history, separate from the undo and redo used for marked grid squares.

Unlock the eraser only when you need it. Leaving it locked prevents a stray tap from removing a carefully placed line.

Working With Text Notes

  1. Select a drawing layer and choose Text.
  2. Tap an empty place on the chart, enter the note and save it.
  3. Tap an existing note to select it. You can move it, change its size, edit the wording or delete it.

The Edit Note Text box used to enter or change a chart note

When a note is selected, a border and handles show the item you are changing. Drag it to a clearer position without affecting the chart or your marked stitches.

A selected text note on the chart

The selected text note toolbar with three numbered controls

  1. 1. Delete: removes the selected note.
  2. 2. Text size: move the slider between the smaller and larger letter to resize the note.
  3. 3. Close: finishes editing and closes the note toolbar.

Notes rotate with the chart so they remain readable. An empty saved note is removed rather than leaving an invisible object behind.

Useful Ways to Organise Layers

  • Backstitch: use Straight mode for crisp connected runs, with a separate colour or layer for each thread if helpful.
  • Fractional stitches: use short lines, dots or triangles to record half stitches, quarter stitches, petite stitches and French knots.
  • Corrections: circle a possible mistake so it is easy to find later, then erase the circle when it is resolved.
  • Reminders: place a text note such as “start here” or record a thread substitution beside the relevant area.

Keep Exploring