How to use the fabric count converter
- Type the design size in stitches. Charts usually print it near the title or key, for example "112w × 84h".
- Set the bare margin you want on each side. Use 0 if you only want the stitched size.
- Pick the fabric you plan to use. Its row is marked in the table, and the summary gives its size.
- To resize a design you already know the measurements of, switch to "Convert between counts" and enter its size, the old count and the new count.
How fabric count changes the size
The stitch count of a chart never changes. What changes is how many of those stitches fit in an inch. On 11 count Aida, 11 stitches make an inch. On 18 count, 18 do, so every stitch is smaller and the whole design shrinks.
Evenweave and linen are labeled by threads per inch, and cross stitch on them is usually worked over two threads each way. That halves the count. 28 count linen over two is 14 stitches per inch, exactly like 14 count Aida. 32 over two is 16, and 36 over two is 18. Fine work and some small motifs are stitched over one thread instead, and then the full thread count applies.
Formulas
- Stitches per inch = Aida count, or evenweave count ÷ 2 for over two.
- Design width = stitches wide ÷ stitches per inch.
- Fabric width = design width + 2 × margin, rounded up.
- New size = old size × old count ÷ new count.
Worked example
A chart is 112 stitches wide and 84 high. On 14 count Aida that's 112 ÷ 14 = 8 inches by 84 ÷ 14 = 6 inches. Add 2 inches on each side and the piece to cut is 12 × 10 inches.
Switch to 32 count linen over two and the count becomes 16. The design is now 112 ÷ 16 = 7 inches by 84 ÷ 16 = 5.25 inches, and the fabric needed is 11 × 9.25, so buy 11 × 10. To go the other way, an 8 inch design on 14 count is 8 × 14 ÷ 18 = 6.22 inches on 18 count.
Design width by fabric
Finished width in inches for a few chart widths, before margins.
| Fabric | 100 stitches | 150 stitches | 200 stitches |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11-count Aida | 9.1" | 13.6" | 18.2" |
| 14-count Aida | 7.1" | 10.7" | 14.3" |
| 16-count Aida | 6.3" | 9.4" | 12.5" |
| 18-count Aida | 5.6" | 8.3" | 11.1" |
| 20-count Aida | 5" | 7.5" | 10" |
| 25-count evenweave/linen over two | 8" | 12" | 16" |
| 28-count evenweave/linen over two | 7.1" | 10.7" | 14.3" |
| 32-count evenweave/linen over two | 6.3" | 9.4" | 12.5" |
| 36-count evenweave/linen over two | 5.6" | 8.3" | 11.1" |
| 32-count evenweave/linen over one | 3.1" | 4.7" | 6.3" |
| 36-count evenweave/linen over one | 2.8" | 4.2" | 5.6" |
Sizes in centimeters
Fabric counts are sold per inch, but you can work in centimeters by dividing the count by 2.54. Studio Koekoek's calculator lets you enter fabric per inch or per centimeter for this reason. The table shows stitches per centimeter and the width of the 112 stitch example design.
| Fabric | Stitches per cm | 112 stitches wide |
|---|---|---|
| 11-count Aida | 4.3 | 25.9 cm |
| 14-count Aida | 5.5 | 20.3 cm |
| 16-count Aida | 6.3 | 17.8 cm |
| 18-count Aida | 7.1 | 15.8 cm |
| 28-count evenweave/linen over two | 5.5 | 20.3 cm |
| 32-count evenweave/linen over two | 6.3 | 17.8 cm |
| 28-count evenweave/linen over one | 11.0 | 10.2 cm |
To go the other way, multiply centimeters by 2.54 to get inches before you enter a size in the convert mode.
How much margin to leave
Pick the margin for how the piece will be finished. A card or small gift needs less bare fabric than a framed piece. For framing, Mary Corbet of Needle'n Thread advises at least 2 inches on each side. For the 112 × 84 design on 14 count Aida:
| Margin on each side | Good for | Fabric to buy |
|---|---|---|
| 1" | Cards and small gifts | 10" × 8" |
| 2" | Framing, the 2 inch minimum | 12" × 10" |
| 3" | Framing with room to spare | 14" × 12" |
The framing guide explains how that bare fabric wraps around the mounting board.
Will it fit a standard frame?
Turn the frame opening into stitches by multiplying its size by the stitches per inch. These are the largest designs that fill each opening exactly, before any mat:
| Frame | 14-count Aida | 16-count Aida | 18-count Aida | 28-count evenweave/linen over one |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5" × 7" | 70 × 98 | 80 × 112 | 90 × 126 | 140 × 196 |
| 8" × 10" | 112 × 140 | 128 × 160 | 144 × 180 | 224 × 280 |
| 11" × 14" | 154 × 196 | 176 × 224 | 198 × 252 | 308 × 392 |
A design 112 × 84 stitches fits inside an 8 × 10 frame on 14 count, since 8 × 14 = 112 and 10 × 14 = 140. A finer fabric also takes a finer needle. The beginner's guide lists needle sizes and strands for each count.
Tips for choosing a fabric count
- If you swap fabrics, check the strands too. Finer fabric usually takes fewer strands so the stitches don't crowd.
- Measure a piece of linen with a ruler before cutting a big project. The real count of a linen can differ slightly from its label.
- Over-one stitching on 32 or 36 count is tiny. Try a small motif first to see if you like working at that size.
- Cut a little more than the calculator says if the fabric edge is uneven or you plan to hem or zigzag it.