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How to make your own cross stitch pattern

Practical guide · 7 min read · updated on November 1, 2026

A cross stitch chart is a grid where each square is one cross, with one symbol per thread color. Making your own takes less than you might think: an idea, a size, a handful of colors. Here’s the method, from paper to software.

1. Set the size and fabric

Everything starts with the stitch count. A 70 × 70 design measures 5 inches (12.7 cm) square on 14-count Aida, and 3.9 inches (9.9 cm) on 18-count. First decide where the embroidery will go (card, frame, cushion), then work out the stitch count. The size and fabric to cut calculator does the conversion, and the guide Aida or linen helps you choose the fabric.

2. Sketch in pencil or start from an image

For a simple motif, a printable blank grid and a pencil are enough: color square by square, keeping the bold lines every 10 squares for counting. For a name, the cross stitch name generator tool gives you the chart in seconds. For a photo, software is better: converting a photo by hand would take hours.

3. Limit the number of colors

Each color is a thread to buy and a needle to rethread. A readable motif often fits in 6 to 15 colors; a realistic portrait needs 30 to 50. Group similar shades before you stitch: the difference barely shows on the fabric, and the chart becomes much more pleasant.

4. Hunt down isolated stitches

A single cross in the middle of another color (a “confetti”) means stopping and starting a thread for just one stitch. Find them and blend them into the neighboring color, unless they draw a detail that matters, like the highlight in an eye. The guide avoid confetti explains the method.

5. Add the finishing touches

Backstitch draws outlines and fine lettering, half and three-quarter stitches round off curves, French knots mark eyes. Add them at the end, on the already colored chart.

6. Print a readable pattern

A good pattern gives one symbol per thread, the key with color numbers and number of skeins, and gridlines every 10 stitches. Beyond one page, you need page overlaps so you don’t get lost.

Paper or software?

Paper is still perfect for a small motif with a few colors. As soon as there’s a photo, a gradient or more than one page, software saves hours and avoids counting mistakes. The walkthrough in the studio is on the cross stitch pattern makerpage, and the comparison puts the programs side by side.