Cross Stitch Pattern Generator

How to use the Cross Stitch Pattern Generator

1. Drop a picture onto the box, click to choose a file, or press Try an example picture.
2. Set the width in stitches. About 80 is a medium project; photos of faces need 100–200. Choose the number of colours — 12 to 30 works for most pictures.
3. Under the chart choose your fabric count and strands of floss. The line above the chart shows the finished size, and the colour list shows the skeins to buy.
4. Pick how the chart is drawn — symbols, symbols on colour or colour blocks — and switch on the grid, heavy lines and centre marks.
5. Use Edit by hand to fix stitches, then download the PNG chart, the stitch list (CSV) or the project file, or print the chart.

Stitch count, fabric count and finished size

The finished size is the number of stitches divided by the fabric count (stitches per inch). A chart 140 stitches wide and 98 high on 14-count fabric is 140 ÷ 14 = 10 inches wide and 98 ÷ 14 = 7 inches high (25.4 × 17.8 cm). Higher counts mean smaller stitches and a smaller design. For evenweave fabric stitched over two threads, divide the thread count by two: 28-count evenweave gives 14 stitches per inch.

Cut the fabric at least 2–3 inches (5–8 cm) larger than the design on every side so there is room for framing. The guide to fabric count and finished size has worked examples.

How the chart is made

The picture is reduced to one pixel per stitch by averaging, then each stitch is matched to the nearest colour of the palette you choose using a perceptual colour difference (CIEDE2000). Every colour gets its own symbol — sixteen drawn shapes first, then letters and digits — so the chart stays readable when printed in black and white. The legend lists each colour’s symbol, name, hex code and number of stitches.

The grid has heavy lines every 10 stitches (or 5), and the centre marks show where to start: most stitchers begin at the centre and work outwards so the design stays centred on the fabric.

How the floss estimate works

The estimate counts full cross stitches only. Each stitch uses about four diagonal thread lengths per strand (two on the front, two on the back) at the size set by your fabric count, plus 50% for starting, finishing and moving between areas. A standard skein holds 6 strands of 8 m each. The result is rounded up to whole skeins per colour.

Using 1 strand roughly doubles those numbers and 3 strands cuts them to two thirds. Backstitch, half stitches, French knots and a thicker or thinner floss are not included, so keep a little extra.

Reading and using the chart

• Choose Symbols for printing in black and white, Symbols on colour to see the picture and the symbols together, or Colour blocks to preview the look.
• Click a colour in the list to highlight where it is used — helpful when you stitch one colour at a time.
• Set Colour numbers to In each cell if you want numbers on the chart as well (they match the legend).
• Download the PNG for a chart with the full legend, or press Print.

Colours and floss brands

The colours here are generic and are not matched to DMC, Anchor or any other maker’s numbers. Use the name and the hex code in the legend to choose the closest thread from your own colour card, and look at the thread beside your screen — screens and threads never match exactly. The guide to choosing colours explains how many colours a picture needs.

DMC, Anchor and other brand names are trademarks of their owners. BeadPatternKit is independent and not affiliated with them.

Frequently asked questions