The most common types of fabric for cross stitching are Aida, Evenweave and Linen.
AIDA
Aida comes in a range of sizes the most common being 6 count up to 18 count.
6 count Aida simply means that there are 6 cross stitches to the inch
Similarly 14 count Aida means that there are 14 stitches to the inch, 18 means 18 to the inch. Therefore, 6 count results in the biggest stitches and is often used in children’s craft kits and 18 count gives rise to the smallest stitches and is used when more detail is required.
EVENWEAVE
Evenweave is similar to Aida, but the weave is finer. Here the cross stitches are often stitched over 2 strands of the weave, that is you use every other hole in the fabric.
28 count Evenweave means that the fabric has 28 holes per inch. A design stitched on 28 count Evenweave over 2 strands has 14 stitches to the inch and will result in a finished design the same size as if stitched on 14 count Aida.
Similarly, 32 count Evenweave has 32 holes per inch. This means that a design stitched on 32 count Evenweave over 2 strands will be the same finished size as if stitched on 16 count Aida.
It is worth noting that the Heaven and Earth designs suggest to be stitched on 25 count Evenweave over 1 (That is 25 stitches to the inch), and so gives rise to very fine stitches.
LINEN
Linen is similar to Evenweave in that it is often stitched over 2 strands of the weave, but the difference is that the weave of Linen is not so uniform (even) as that of Evenweave.
Linen is most commonly available in 28 count, 32 count and 36 count which would equate to 14, 16 and 18 count Aida respectively when stitched over 2.
CALCULATING THE SIZE OF FABRIC
Charts normally give the number of stitches for the width and height, and may often give an example of the size when stitched on say 16 count. This means when stitched on 16 count Aida or equivalent, for example, 32 count Linen or Evenweave over 2, i.e. over 2 strands of the weave.
A design can be stitched on any type of fabric, it will just mean that the finished size varies.
To work out the width and height, simply divide the total number of stitches by the stitches per inch. This is best seen by looking at the examples below.
| Width Stitches |
Height Stitches |
Fabric |
Count |
Stitched over |
Stitches per Inch |
Width Size (inches) |
Height Size (inches) |
| 100 |
180 |
Aida |
14 |
1 |
14/1 = 14 |
(100/14) = 7.14” |
(180/14) = 12.86” |
| 100 |
180 |
Evenweave /Linen |
28 |
2 |
28/2 = 14 |
(100/14) = 7.14” |
(180/14) = 12.86” |
| 150 |
320 |
Aida |
16 |
1 |
16/1 = 16 |
(150/16) = 9.38” |
(320/16) = 20.00” |
| 150 |
320 |
Evenweave /Linen |
32 |
2 |
32/2 = 16 |
(150/16) = 9.38” |
(320/16) = 20.00” |
| 200 |
120 |
Aida |
18 |
1 |
18/1 = 18 |
(200/18) = 11.11” |
(120/18) = 6.67” |
| 200 |
120 |
Linen |
36 |
2 |
36/2 = 18 |
(200/18) = 11.11” |
(120/18) = 6.67” |
This will give the size of the finished design.
You need to add a margin all the way around this for handling and mounting your finished project. This should be a minimum of 2 inches, but many people prefer 4” or more, i.e. add 8” to both the width and height measurements of the finished design size.
Example
Taking a design with stitch count of 150W x 120H to be stitched on 28 count Evenweave over 2
28 count Evenweave over 2 = 14 stitches per inch
Design width is 150/14 = 10¾”
Design height is 120/14 = 8½”
Adding 8” margin to width and height gives a cut fabric size of approximately 19” x 17” (48 x 43 cm)
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