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Best Fabric Count for Cross Stitch
Short answer: 14-count Aida is the best all-round fabric count for cross stitch, especially for beginners and photo patterns. Choose 11-count for easier counting and bigger stitches, 16 or 18-count for finer detail in a smaller piece.
What does fabric count mean?
Fabric count is the number of stitches per inch. On 14-count Aida you make 14 cross stitches in one inch. Higher count = smaller stitches = smaller, more detailed finished piece for the same pattern.
Evenweave and linen are usually stitched "over two" threads, so 28-count evenweave over two gives 14 stitches per inch — the same size as 14-count Aida.
Fabric count comparison chart
| Fabric | Stitches / inch | 100-stitch design | Strands (cross stitch) | Tapestry needle | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11-count Aida | 11 | 9.1 in / 23.1 cm | 3 | 22 | Kids, low vision, bold designs |
| 14-count Aida | 14 | 7.1 in / 18.1 cm | 2 | 24 | Beginners, photo patterns, most kits |
| 16-count Aida | 16 | 6.3 in / 15.9 cm | 2 | 24–26 | More detail, still easy to count |
| 18-count Aida | 18 | 5.6 in / 14.1 cm | 1–2 | 26 | Fine detail, small pieces, ornaments |
| 28-count evenweave (over 2) | 14 | 7.1 in / 18.1 cm | 2 | 26 | Smoother look, fractional stitches |
| 32-count linen (over 2) | 16 | 6.3 in / 15.9 cm | 1–2 | 26–28 | Heirloom pieces, experienced stitchers |
Strand and needle numbers are common starting points, not rules — stitch a small test square and adjust if the fabric shows through.
Which count should I use for a photo pattern?
- Want it bigger without more stitches? Drop to 11-count. The same 100-stitch pet becomes 9.1 in instead of 7.1 in.
- Want more detail in the same size? Go to 16 or 18-count and increase the pattern width. A 7 in portrait is 98 stitches on 14-count but 126 stitches on 18-count.
- Large photo-realistic pieces (150+ stitches) are often stitched on 16 or 18-count so the frame size stays reasonable.
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How much fabric to buy
Fabric size = design size + margin on every side. Leave at least 2–3 inches (5–8 cm) per side for framing or a hoop. Example: a 7.1 × 5.0 in design on 14-count needs about 13 × 11 in of fabric with 3 in margins. The size calculator does this for any count.
FAQ
What is 14-count cross stitch fabric?
Aida cloth woven with 14 holes-squares per inch, so you stitch 14 crosses per inch. It is the most common count in kits and patterns.
Is 18-count harder than 14-count?
The stitches are the same; they are just smaller (about 1.4 mm vs 1.8 mm). Good light and a magnifier help.
Is "thread count" the same as fabric count?
For cross stitch, people use both terms for stitches (or threads) per inch. Bed-sheet "thread count" is a different measure.
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