Aida cloth and fabric count explained
The fabric decides three things at once: how big the piece comes out, how fine the detail can be, and how easy the squares are to count. That is why you choose it before the thread.
Updated
Most cross stitch is worked on Aida — a cotton fabric woven in square blocks with holes at the corners. One block takes one cross, so there are no threads to count: the squares are visible from the start. That is why it is the fabric beginners are told to start on.
Count: what the number on the label means
The number after the name is the count — squares per inch. 14 count Aida fits 14 crosses into an inch, or 5.5 per centimeter. The higher the count, the smaller each cross and the finer the detail — and the harder your eyes have to work.
| Fabric | Count | Stitches per cm | Cell, mm | Floss strands |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aida 14 | 14 | 5.51 | 1.81 | 2 |
| Aida 11 | 11 | 4.33 | 2.31 | 3 |
| Aida 16 | 16 | 6.30 | 1.59 | 2 |
| Aida 18 | 18 | 7.09 | 1.41 | 1–2 |
| Evenweave 28 ct | 28 | 5.51 | 1.81 | 2 |
| Evenweave 32 ct | 32 | 6.30 | 1.59 | 2 |
Which count to choose
- 14 count — the standard, and the best choice for a first project: the squares are easy to see, and a cross in two strands covers them well.
- 11 count — for kids, for anyone who finds small work hard to see, and for large simple motifs. Stitched with three strands.
- 16 count — a little more detail without a noticeable loss of comfort.
- 18 count — for fine detail and portraits: the same chart comes out over a fifth smaller than on 14 count. Stitched with one or two strands, and hard going without good light.
Evenweave: the same density, a different look
Evenweave is a plain-weave fabric with no visible squares. Each cross is worked over two threads, so the count halves: 28 count evenweave gives 14 crosses per inch, like 14 count Aida, and 32 count matches 16 count Aida. The work looks finer and softer, and quarter stitches are easy on evenweave. Counting threads is harder, though, so it is better saved for a second project.
Fabric color
White and ivory are the easiest: the holes are visible and the floss colors look the way they do on the chart. On black or navy the crosses come out vivid, but the squares disappear, and working without a light behind the fabric is hard. If the chart leaves the background empty, the fabric color becomes part of the picture — choose it together with the chart.
How much fabric to buy depends on the chart size in stitches and the count. The calculator in the finished-size guide works out both the finished piece and the cut with a margin.
In short
- What Aida count is best for beginners?
- 14 count: the squares are easy to see, there are no threads to count, and a cross in two strands of floss covers the square well. 11 count suits kids and anyone who finds small work hard to see; save 18 count for fine detail.
- What is the difference between 14 and 18 count Aida?
- The size of the squares: 14 count fits 14 crosses per inch, 18 count fits 18. The same chart on 18 count comes out over a fifth smaller, with finer detail, and you stitch with one or two strands of floss instead of two.
- Is 14 or 16 count Aida better?
- For a first project, 14 count: the squares are bigger and easier to count. 16 count gives finer detail, and the same chart comes out an eighth smaller: 100 stitches measure 6.25 inches instead of 7.14. Both take two strands of floss, so switching between them is easy.
- How many strands of floss on 14 count Aida?
- Two of the six. Use three on 11 count, two on 16 count and on 28–32 count evenweave, and one or two on 18 count. The stitch should cover the square without puffing up.
The numbers and charts on this page are computed by the same code as the builder.