Your knitting library
Purl & Paper saves patterns, project details, yarn records, swatch measurements, photos, notes, counters, bookmarks, pattern annotations and Inspiration documents in the app's storage on your device. Inspiration can contain text, drawings, garment colour fills, imported images, stickers, source links and links to your patterns, projects and yarn. App preferences, such as language, appearance and selected tools, are stored locally. These records provide the features you choose to use.
You can use the app locally without creating a Purl & Paper account. The app does not send your knitting library to the developer or operate a separate developer library server. It includes no advertising, tracking, third-party analytics or separate crash-reporting service.
Optional private iCloud sync
Sync is off until you enable Settings → Sync with iCloud on a device. When enabled, the app transfers your library through Apple's CloudKit service to the private database associated with your signed-in Apple Account. Synced content includes saved library records, patterns, photos, annotations, Inspiration documents and their media, together with revision, deletion and other technical records needed to transfer changes and retain conflicting versions. The app does not publish your documents in a public CloudKit database.
Changes save locally first. Sync operates while the app is open in the foreground. Use the same Apple Account on your devices, finish editing an Inspiration idea with Done, and wait until Settings reports that your library is up to date before continuing elsewhere. Incoming changes to an idea are deferred while its editor is open. Network connectivity, account availability and available iCloud and device storage affect transfers. Apple provides iCloud under its own terms and privacy practices.
The app uses an account identifier supplied by Apple, stored as a local hash, to bind sync to the correct account. Sync pauses if the Apple Account changes, to protect the previous account's library. The app asks you to sign back into the original account; it does not provide account migration. Purl & Paper does not ask for or receive your Apple Account password. Turning sync off pauses transfers and keeps copies already saved on your device and in iCloud.
Photos, camera, files and Inspiration images
You choose which photos and files to import using Apple's pickers. Camera permission is requested when you choose to scan a paper pattern. Imported copies and scans become part of your saved library. You can manage camera access in your device's Settings and continue using file import if you prefer.
In Inspiration, you can insert images from Photos or Files, paste or drop supported content, and use bundled knitting stickers. Imported images are resized to a maximum dimension of 2048 pixels. Making a sticker from a photo uses on-device subject detection. The imported image copy is retained in the idea so you can choose Restore original photo; this restores the imported copy rather than the original full-resolution file in Photos. The app does not send photos to the developer for this processing. Saved images and cutouts are included in your private library when iCloud sync is enabled.
If you choose Image from web link, your device requests the image from its HTTPS host. That host, and any host involved in a redirect, can receive connection information such as your IP address and the requested address under its own privacy practices. The app uses a temporary download session with cookies disabled. It saves an image copy and its source address with the idea; these can also sync to your private iCloud library. Opening a saved image source or another external link uses the relevant website or service.
Retention, cleanup and cloud removal
Your local library remains until you delete records or delete the app and its data. Offloading the app can retain its data. Recoverable project snapshots can contain earlier saved details while their project remains in the library. Conflicting edits on different devices can be kept as recovered copies for you to review.
When sync is enabled, deleting an item sends its deletion to your other devices when they sync. Earlier cloud content can remain until you choose Clean up iCloud storage…. Cleanup removes superseded cloud content and unused media while preserving current items, conflicting versions and data needed to finish transfers. Small technical receipts and deletion records remain to prevent repeated transfers and deleted items reappearing. Cleanup also removes unused local transfer cache files while keeping your saved device library and exported backups. Historical cloud content removed by cleanup cannot be recovered through the app.
Remove iCloud library… permanently removes this app's synced cloud library, including its cloud history and media, and turns sync off on the device performing removal. Other updated devices pause when they next connect; copies already saved on those devices remain. A small removal marker containing no library content remains in iCloud so updated devices do not automatically upload older copies. If removal is interrupted, the app offers Retry iCloud removal….
If you later choose Use iCloud again…, content kept locally on that device can be uploaded into a new or restarted cloud library, including items previously removed from iCloud. Other updated devices keep their local copies and require an explicit decision before joining the restarted library.
Cloud removal does not delete local device libraries, exported files, original photos in Photos, original documents in Files or existing Apple or computer backups. Deleting the app also does not remove its existing cloud library. Manage each copy where it is stored. Apple manages its storage and backup systems separately. Keep an independent backup before recovery or removal work; the developer cannot recover a lost local library or remotely remove your private cloud library for you.
Exports, sharing and backups
You choose where exported library archives, annotated PDFs and Inspiration exports are saved or shared. The developer receives no copy through the export feature. Library archives contain saved records and media, original patterns and editable annotation data. Where rendering succeeds, they also include flattened annotated PDFs. Inspiration can also be exported as an image, PDF or editable idea.
Exports can contain personal notes and photos. Archives are not encrypted or password-protected by Purl & Paper. Anyone with access to an exported file may be able to read its contents. Choose storage locations and sharing recipients you trust.
Saving an export to iCloud Drive or another file provider is separate from enabling the app's iCloud sync. Your chosen provider handles those files under its own terms and privacy practices. Device backups follow your Apple or computer settings. Apple may process App Store, TestFlight and diagnostic information according to your Apple Account and device settings.
Support and website visits
If you email [email protected], the support inbox and its email provider receive your email address, message and any attachments you choose to send. Support correspondence is used to respond to your request and investigate the issue. Send only content you are comfortable disclosing and entitled to share. You can contact the same address about your support correspondence.
The purlandpaper.com website uses Cloudflare for hosting and security. Cloudflare processes technical connection information to deliver and protect the website. The website also uses Cloudflare Web Analytics to measure page visits and website performance. See Cloudflare's Privacy Policy for its data practices. This website analytics is separate from the app, which has no analytics service. The website has no advertising trackers or account system. The app's existing goldi1027.github.io support and privacy URLs are hosted separately through GitHub Pages; GitHub may process technical connection information under its own privacy practices when you visit those pages.
Changes and questions
This policy will be updated if the app's data practices change. The in-app Privacy & your data page explains the available controls. Help with iCloud, Inspiration, backups and deletion is available on the Support page. For privacy questions, email [email protected].