Fabric and count
The same chart comes out a different size on different fabric. It all depends on how dense the fabric is — its count.
What count means
Count is the number of squares (crosses) per inch of fabric. An inch is exactly 2.54 cm. The higher the count, the smaller the squares and the smaller the finished piece.
For example, 14-count fabric has 14 squares per inch, and 18-count has 18. A chart 140 crosses wide takes 140 / 14 = 10 inches (25.4 cm) on the first and 140 / 18 ≈ 7.8 inches (19.8 cm) on the second.
Some shops give density as squares per 10 cm instead. To convert: squares per 10 cm = count × 10 / 2.54. So 14-count is about 55 squares per 10 cm.
Aida
Aida is the most common cross stitch fabric. Its threads are woven in bundles with clear holes between them. Each Aida square is one cross. Squares are easy to count, which makes Aida a good place to start.
Evenweave
Evenweave and linen are woven from single threads of equal thickness. The holes are smaller and less visible, and the fabric looks finer.
On evenweave you usually stitch over two: each cross covers a square two threads by two. So the work comes out twice as large as the fabric count suggests: 28-count evenweave stitched over two gives 28 / 2 = 14 crosses per inch — the same as 14-count Aida.
How to choose
- For a first piece — medium-density Aida: you can see the squares and counting isn't tiring.
- For fine detail and fractional stitches — denser fabric or evenweave: quarter and three-quarter stitches look neater.
- For a large chart — work out the size first: a chart several hundred crosses wide comes out smaller than you'd think on dense fabric and larger on a loose one.
- How many strands to use depends on the fabric and is usually in the chart's key. Looser fabric needs more strands so the cross covers the square.
Working out the size and the fabric margin is covered in "How to work out the size and the thread".