Cross Stitch Fabric Count and Finished Size Explained

A cross stitch chart tells you how many stitches to make; the fabric tells you how big each one is. That is why a single pattern can be a coaster on one fabric and a wall hanging on another. The key number is the fabric count.

What fabric count means

Fabric count is the number of stitches per inch. On Aida fabric the count is the number of woven blocks per inch: 11-count Aida has 11 blocks (and so 11 stitches) in every inch, 14-count has 14, and so on. On evenweave and linen, counts describe threads per inch, and you usually stitch over two threads, so 28-count evenweave gives 14 stitches per inch.

The formula for finished size

Finished size = number of stitches ÷ fabric count. Higher counts mean smaller stitches and a smaller finished design.

• A design of 140 × 98 stitches on 14-count is 140 ÷ 14 = 10 inches wide and 98 ÷ 14 = 7 inches high (25.4 × 17.8 cm).
• The same design on 11-count is 12.7 × 8.9 inches (32.3 × 22.6 cm) — about 27% larger.
• On 18-count it is 7.8 × 5.4 inches (19.8 × 13.8 cm).
• 100 stitches wide on 16-count is 6.25 inches (15.9 cm).

To work backwards, multiply the size you want by the count: an 8 × 10 inch design on 14-count needs 112 × 140 stitches. The cross stitch pattern generator shows the finished size for your count while you change the width, so you can choose the stitch count that gives the size you want.

How much fabric to cut

Add at least 2–3 inches (5–8 cm) on every side of the design. That space is for framing, hoop clamping and finishing. Example: a 10 × 7 inch design with 3-inch margins needs a piece of fabric 16 × 13 inches. Some people add more for large projects that will be rolled on a frame. Also remember that fabric edges fray: oversew, tape or zig-zag them before you start.

How many strands of floss?

Embroidery floss has six strands that you can separate. The number you use depends on the fabric: thicker thread for lower counts, thinner for higher ones. The numbers below are common starting points — personal taste, the floss brand and the fabric weave all change them.

If you want to see how much thread you need, the generator estimates skeins per colour from your count and strands: a standard skein is 8 m of six strands. The estimate covers full cross stitches only and adds 50% for starts, finishes and moving between areas. Backstitch and French knots need extra floss.

Choosing a count for a photo pattern

Photo patterns need many stitches to stay recognisable, so the count is a trade-off between the size you want and the time you have. A 150 × 150 stitch portrait is 10.7 inches (27 cm) square on 14-count and 8.3 inches (21 cm) on 18-count. Choosing 18-count makes the same chart smaller and the stitches harder to see; choosing 11-count makes it bigger and quicker to read. Start with 14-count unless you have a reason to choose another.

Using a chart

• Find the centre of the fabric and the centre of the chart (the generator marks it) and start there.
• Work one colour at a time, or one area at a time, and keep the back neat.
• Heavy lines every 10 stitches on the chart help you count. Match them with the fabric by counting blocks from the centre.
• Print the chart at full size with the printable grid generator if you want a larger working copy to mark off.

Frequently asked questions