Cross Stitch Fabric Calculator

Aida vs Evenweave vs Linen: What's the Difference?

Aida is the go-to cross-stitch fabric for beginners and casual stitchers because it is woven in distinct blocks that create obvious holes at every corner. You can see exactly where each stitch belongs, which makes counting easy and mistakes rare. Aida comes in counts from 6 (rug canvas) to 22 (Hardanger), with 14 count being the most common and 16 or 18 used for finer detail. Evenweave fabrics like Lugana, Jobelan, and Jazlyn have a smoother plain weave with evenly spaced threads but no visible holes, producing a more refined finished look. Linen is the premium choice for heirloom projects and reproduction samplers. Its handwoven appearance and subtle thread variations give finished pieces a classic, professional quality. Linen and evenweave are usually stitched over 2 threads per stitch, which effectively halves the count and creates a smoother cross on each intersection.

Why Stitch Count Matters

The fabric count determines the finished size of your cross-stitch design. Higher counts pack more stitches into each inch, so the same pattern will look smaller and more detailed on a fine fabric than on a coarse one. A 140 by 140 stitch design is 10 inches square on Aida 14, about 7.8 inches on Aida 18, and only 5 inches on Aida 28 stitched over 2. Choose the count based on the effect you want: larger for quick projects and wall art, smaller for framed miniatures and ornaments. Your eyesight also matters — very fine counts like 32 and 40 are challenging without magnification, while Aida 11 and 14 are comfortable for almost anyone. The fiber content, color, and thread count of the fabric all affect how stitches look and how the finished piece drapes or frames.

How Much Margin to Add

Three inches of blank fabric on every side is the standard recommendation for cross-stitch projects. The margin gives you room to grip the fabric in a hoop or scroll frame without stitching near the edge, prevents fraying from reaching your stitches, and provides enough clean fabric to mount the finished piece for framing. For small ornaments, 1.5 to 2 inches per side can be enough. For large samplers that will be professionally framed with a mat, add 4 inches per side so the framer has room to work. Always add margin to both the width and the height, since cross-stitch designs are often non-square. This calculator assumes 3 inches per side by default, but you can change the margin to match your project needs.

Converting Stitch Count to Inches

The formula is simple: design dimension in inches equals stitch count divided by effective stitches per inch. Effective stitches per inch equals the fabric count divided by how many threads you stitch over. For Aida stitched over 1, effective count equals fabric count. For linen or evenweave stitched over 2, divide the fabric count by 2. Multiply inches by 2.54 to convert to centimeters. Always round up when buying fabric, and remember to add margin for hooping and framing. This calculator does all the conversions automatically and shows a comparison table so you can see how your design size changes on every common fabric count in one view.