- Stitches per inch
- 14
- Finished design
- 8.57 × 6.43 in
21.8 × 16.3 cm - Fabric to cut
- 14.6 × 12.4 in
37 × 31.6 cm
| Count | Finished size | Fabric with margins |
|---|---|---|
| 11-count | 10.91 × 8.18 in | 16.9 × 14.2 in |
| 14-count | 8.57 × 6.43 in | 14.6 × 12.4 in |
| 16-count | 7.5 × 5.63 in | 13.5 × 11.6 in |
| 18-count | 6.67 × 5 in | 12.7 × 11 in |
| 22-count | 5.45 × 4.09 in | 11.5 × 10.1 in |
How the calculation works
A cross stitch chart is measured in stitches, but fabric is sold in inches or centimetres. The link between them is the fabric count: how many stitches fit in one inch.
To get the finished design size, divide the number of stitches across by the count, and do the same for the stitches down. That gives inches; multiply by 2.54 for centimetres. If you are working on evenweave or linen over two threads, the effective count is half the fabric’s stated count, so 28-count over two behaves like 14.
To get the fabric to cut, add the margin to every side. With the default 3 inch margin, that means adding 6 inches to both the width and the height of the design. The calculator also shows a table of finished sizes at 11, 14, 16, 18 and 22 count, so you can compare fabrics at a glance.
Worked example
Say your chart is 140 stitches wide and 100 stitches high, and you want to stitch it on 14-count Aida with the usual 3 inch margin.
- Width: 140 divided by 14 is exactly 10 inches. Times 2.54, that is 25.4 cm.
- Height: 100 divided by 14 is 7.14 inches, so about 7.1 inches. Times 2.54, that is about 18.1 cm.
- Fabric to cut: add 6 inches to each. 10 plus 6 is 16 inches; 7.14 plus 6 is 13.14, so about 13.1 inches. In centimetres, 16 inches is 40.6 cm and 13.14 inches is about 33.4 cm.
So the finished design is about 10 × 7.1 inches, and you should cut fabric at least 16 × 13.1 inches (40.6 × 33.4 cm). If you switched to 28-count linen worked over two, the effective count is still 14, so the sizes are the same.
Finished size of a 140 × 100 stitch design
| Fabric | Design size (in) | Design size (cm) | Fabric to cut with 3″ margins (in) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11-count | 12.7 × 9.1 | 32.3 × 23.1 | 18.7 × 15.1 |
| 14-count, or 28 over two | 10.0 × 7.1 | 25.4 × 18.1 | 16.0 × 13.1 |
| 16-count, or 32 over two | 8.8 × 6.3 | 22.2 × 15.9 | 14.8 × 12.3 |
| 18-count, or 36 over two | 7.8 × 5.6 | 19.8 × 14.1 | 13.8 × 11.6 |
| 22-count | 6.4 × 4.5 | 16.2 × 11.5 | 12.4 × 10.5 |
As a quick rule of thumb, every 100 stitches comes to about 9.1 inches on 11-count, 7.1 on 14-count, 6.25 on 16-count, 5.6 on 18-count and 4.5 on 22-count.
Tips
- Decide on the frame first. If you already have a frame, work backwards: multiply the opening width in inches by the count to see how many stitches will fit, and set your pattern width to match.
- Round up when buying. Fabric is often sold in fixed pieces such as fat quarters. Pick one that covers your cut size.
- Match count to detail. Higher counts make a design smaller and finer, but also harder to see. If your eyes or lighting are not ideal, a lower count makes a bigger, easier piece from the same chart.
- Check the skeins too. A change of count changes how much floss each stitch uses; the skein calculator handles that. For more on Aida, evenweave and linen, see fabric counts explained.
- Need practice grids? Printable 14-count cross stitch grid paper is handy for sketching small motifs before charting them.
Frequently asked questions
What does fabric count mean?
Count is the number of stitches you can work in one inch of fabric. On 14-count Aida you make 14 stitches per inch, so a higher count means smaller stitches and a smaller finished design for the same chart.
How does stitching over two change the size?
On evenweave and linen, each cross is usually worked over two fabric threads in each direction, which halves the effective count. A 28-count linen worked over two gives 14 stitches per inch, the same finished size as 14-count Aida. Tick the over-two option and the calculator halves the count for you.
Why add three inches on each side?
The extra fabric gives room for a hoop or frame while you stitch, and for lacing or mounting when you frame the finished piece. Three inches per side is a common allowance; you can reduce it for small ornaments or increase it for large framed work.
Can I use the calculator for a pattern I bought?
Yes. Most published charts state the design size in stitches, often on the cover. Enter those two numbers and the fabric you plan to use, and you get the size for that fabric even if it differs from the one the designer suggested.
Is the finished size exact?
It is accurate to the fabric's stated count, but real fabrics vary slightly, and tension can pull a design in a little. That is one more reason the margin is worth keeping.
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