How fabric count changes everything
Fabric count is simply how many stitches fit into one inch. On 14 count Aida you get 14 stitches to the inch; on 18 count you get 18. The same chart worked on 18 count therefore comes out noticeably smaller than on 14 — same number of stitches, smaller stitches. Nothing about the pattern changes, only the scale.
This is why two stitchers can work the identical chart and end up with pieces of quite different sizes, and it's why checking the count before you buy fabric or a frame saves a good deal of disappointment.
Always add margins. The stitched area is not the fabric you need. Three inches of spare fabric on every side gives you room to mount the piece in a hoop, handle the edges without fraying into your stitches, and have it professionally framed later. Cutting close to the design is the most common regret in cross stitch.
Aida, evenweave and linen
Aida is woven in neat blocks with obvious holes at the corners, which makes it the kindest fabric for beginners and for eyes that appreciate a clear target. Evenweave and linen have a finer, smoother weave, and stitchers usually work over two threads — so 28 count evenweave stitched over two gives the same stitch size as 14 count Aida. That's the single most useful equivalence to remember: divide an evenweave count by two to find its Aida equivalent.
Choosing a count that suits your eyes
There is no virtue in stitching finer than is comfortable. Many long-time stitchers move happily from 18 count down to 14 or even 11 as the years go by, and the finished pieces are no less lovely for it — often more striking, in fact, because the colours read more boldly. A good lamp with a daylight bulb and a magnifier on a stand will do more for your enjoyment than any particular fabric count.
How much floss will I need?
The floss estimate above is a rough guide based on the total stitch count, and real projects vary enormously depending on how many colours the chart uses. As a general rule, one skein of six-strand floss covers roughly 1,500 to 1,700 full cross stitches on 14 count when stitching with two strands. Patterns with many colours need more skeins than the total suggests, since you'll buy a whole skein even for a handful of stitches.
Questions we're often asked
How do I calculate the finished size of a cross stitch pattern?
Divide the stitch count by the fabric count. A pattern that is 150 stitches wide on 14 count Aida works out at 150 ÷ 14, which is about 10.7 inches wide. Do the same for the height, then add your margins to find the fabric size to cut.
What size fabric do I need for a 150 by 200 pattern?
On 14 count Aida the stitched area is about 10.7 by 14.3 inches. Adding a three-inch margin on every side means cutting fabric of roughly 16.7 by 20.3 inches — and it's always wise to round up to the nearest convenient size when buying.
Is 28 count evenweave the same as 14 count Aida?
Yes, when the evenweave is stitched over two threads. Each stitch then covers two threads, giving 14 stitches per inch — exactly the same finished size as 14 count Aida, though with a softer, finer look.
Which fabric count is best for beginners?
14 count Aida is the usual recommendation: the holes are easy to see, the stitches are a comfortable size, and most kits and charts assume it. 11 count is easier still and makes a lovely choice if you'd prefer larger stitches.
How much extra fabric should I allow?
Three inches on each side is the standard allowance, which means adding six inches to both the width and the height of the stitched area. Allow four or five inches if the piece will be framed professionally or worked in a large hoop.