Free Cross Stitch Pattern Maker — Photo to Pattern
Turn any photo or illustration into a cross stitch pattern with real DMC thread colors. Choose the size and fabric, clean up stray stitches, edit by hand, then download a printable PDF chart with symbols, a thread key and skein counts.
How to make a cross stitch pattern from a photo
Drop a photo, drawing or illustration. Bold images with a clear subject work best — crop close to the subject first.
Choose the width in stitches, your Aida count and how many DMC colors to use. Leave a plain background unstitched and clean up stray single stitches with one slider.
Paint or erase stitches, swap any thread for another DMC color, then download a PDF with a symbol chart, a 10×10 counting grid, center marks, a thread key and skein estimates.
Fabric count and finished size
The Aida count is the number of stitches per inch. The same pattern comes out smaller on a higher count. Here is how big a 100 × 100 stitch pattern ends up — add about 3 inches (8 cm) on every side when you cut your fabric.
| Fabric | Stitches per inch | 100 × 100 stitches | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11-count Aida | 11 | 9.1 in · 23.1 cm | Beginners, kids, large bold designs |
| 14-count Aida | 14 | 7.1 in · 18.1 cm | The most popular choice for most patterns |
| 16-count Aida | 16 | 6.3 in · 15.9 cm | Finer detail, smaller pieces |
| 18-count Aida | 18 | 5.6 in · 14.1 cm | Detailed, compact work |
| 28-count evenweave (over 2) | 14 | 7.1 in · 18.1 cm | Same size as 14-count, softer fabric |
How to read a cross stitch chart
Frequently asked questions
Is this cross stitch pattern maker free?
Yes. It is completely free with no signup and no watermark, and the PDF pattern is yours to stitch, gift or sell. Your image never leaves your browser.
Does it use real DMC thread colors?
Yes. Every color in your pattern is matched to one of 489 DMC six-strand embroidery floss colors, so the thread list is ready to take to the shop. You can swap any thread for another DMC color.
How many colors should my pattern have?
Simple designs, text and icons look best with 4–12 colors. Illustrations work well with 12–25, and photos with 25–40. More colors means more detail but more thread changes and more skeins to buy.
What kind of image works best?
Bold illustrations, cartoons, logos and photos with a clear subject and good contrast. Crop close to the subject first. Busy backgrounds add many stray stitches — use “Leave background unstitched” to skip a plain background.
What is Aida count and which should I choose?
Aida count is how many stitches fit in one inch of fabric. 14-count is the most popular and best for beginners. 16 and 18-count give a smaller, finer result; 11-count is larger and easier on the eyes. The tool shows the finished size for each.
How do I read the PDF chart?
Each square on the chart is one cross stitch, and each symbol stands for one DMC thread shown in the key. Bold lines mark every 10 stitches so you can count easily, and the arrows mark the center — most stitchers start from the center.
How many skeins of thread will I need?
The thread list estimates skeins for each color from the number of stitches, assuming two strands and a little extra for waste. One skein covers roughly 1,800 full stitches on 14-count Aida.
Can I edit the pattern?
Yes. Paint or erase individual stitches, fill areas, replace a thread with another DMC color, remove a color, and clean up stray single stitches. Every change can be undone.
More free tools
DMC color data: craft-color-codes by MakeBead, licensed CC BY 4.0. DMC is a trademark of DMC; this tool is not affiliated with DMC. On-screen and printed colors are approximations of real thread.