How to use the cross stitch size calculator
- Enter the width and height of the design in stitches. The pattern chart or the software gives it.
- Enter the fabric count, the number of squares or threads per inch. If you stitch over two threads on linen or evenweave, tick the box.
- Enter a margin to leave on each side for framing or finishing.
- Read the finished design size, the fabric to cut and the table that shows the same design at other counts.
Formula
Stitches per inch = fabric count (or thread count / 2 when stitching over two threads)
Design width = stitches wide / stitches per inch
Design height = stitches high / stitches per inch
Fabric size = design size + 2 x margin in each direction
One inch is 2.54 centimeters. Fabric counts are nominal, so the real size can differ a little.
Worked example
A chart that is 140 stitches wide and 196 stitches high on 14 count Aida finishes at 10 by 14 inches (25.4 by 35.6 cm). With a 3 inch margin on each side, cut fabric at least 16 by 20 inches.
On 28 count linen stitched over two threads you get the same 14 stitches per inch and the same 10 by 14 inch design. On 18 count the design shrinks to 7.78 by 10.89 inches. The chart has 27,440 stitches in all.
Fabric count explained
Aida is sold by count, which is the number of squares per inch, such as 11, 14, 16 or 18. A higher count means smaller stitches and a smaller finished design. Linen and evenweave have a count in threads per inch, and stitchers usually work over two threads, so a 28 count fabric gives 14 stitches per inch. Check whether your pattern lists the count used for the sample.
How much fabric to buy
The margin leaves room to hold the piece in a hoop or frame and to finish edges. Many stitchers use 2 to 4 inches on each side. Large projects on a scroll frame may need more at the sides. Buy a little extra if you are unsure, since cutting too small cannot be fixed.
Related crafts
For knitting sizes see the knitting gauge calculator, and for fabric yardage see the quilt backing and binding calculator. To check a print or frame ratio use the aspect ratio calculator.
Assumptions and limits
- The stitch counts are whole numbers and do not include blank rows around the design unless you add them.
- Fabric counts are nominal. Some fabrics stretch, and hand tension changes the result a little.
- Margin is the same on all four sides.
- The table lists sample counts only and does not mean every count is sold in every fabric.
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate the size of a cross stitch design?
Divide the number of stitches by the stitches per inch. A design 140 stitches wide on 14 count fabric is 10 inches wide.
How much extra fabric do I need?
Many stitchers leave 2 to 4 inches on each side. Add more if you plan to use a scroll frame or a deep mat.
What does stitching over two threads mean?
On linen or evenweave, each stitch covers two threads in each direction, so the stitches per inch are half the thread count.
What happens if I change to a higher count fabric?
The design gets smaller. The same chart on 18 count is a bit more than three quarters the size of 14 count.