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How many strands, which needle ?
Pick your fabric: the tool gives the number of strands for crosses and backstitch, the tapestry needle size and the size of one stitch.
- 11- to 20-count Aida, linen over 1 or 2
- Crosses and backstitch
- Tapestry needle
| Fabric | Strands (cross) | Strands (backstitch) | Tapestry needle | Stitches |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11-count Aida | 3 | 2 | n° 22 | 0.09 in (2.3 mm) |
| 14-count Aida | 2 | 1 | n° 24 | 0.07 in (1.8 mm) |
| 16-count Aida | 2 | 1 | Size 24 or 26 | 0.06 in (1.6 mm) |
| 18-count Aida | 1 or 2 | 1 | n° 26 | 0.06 in (1.4 mm) |
| 20-count Aida | 1 or 2 | 1 | Size 26 or 28 | 1.3 mm |
| 10 threads/cm linen over 2 | 2 or 3 | 1 or 2 | n° 24 | 2 mm |
| 12 threads/cm linen over 2 | 2 | 1 | Size 24 or 26 | 1.7 mm |
| 14 threads/cm linen over 2 | 1 or 2 | 1 | Size 26 or 28 | 0.06 in (1.4 mm) |
| 16 threads/cm linen over 2 | 1 | 1 | n° 28 | 1.3 mm |
| 28-count linen over 2 | 2 | 1 | Size 24 or 26 | 0.07 in (1.8 mm) |
| 32-count linen over 2 | 2 | 1 | n° 26 | 0.06 in (1.6 mm) |
| 36-count linen over 2 | 1 or 2 | 1 | Size 26 or 28 | 0.06 in (1.4 mm) |
| 40-count linen over 2 | 1 | 1 | n° 28 | 1.3 mm |
| 28-count linen over 1 | 1 | 1 | Size 26 or 28 | 0.9 mm |
| 32-count linen over 1 | 1 | 1 | n° 28 | 0.8 mm |
Strands and needle: the basics
Stranded cotton comes in 6-strand skeins that you separate. The finer the fabric (the higher its count), the fewer strands you use: they should cover the fabric without crushing it. Outline backstitch is usually done with 1 strand.
For cross stitch, you use a tapestry needle: its blunt tip goes through the fabric's holes without splitting its threads. The higher its number, the finer it is.
These guidelines are common but not absolute: do a test in a corner of the fabric, and add a strand if too much fabric shows between the crosses.
To go further than this tool: the free cross stitch software stixiva draws, converts and prints your charts, online or on Windows, and its Stitch mode tracks your stitches as you work.
How many strands on 14-count Aida?
2 strands for crosses and 1 for backstitch, with a size 24 tapestry needle.
Why a blunt-tip needle?
It slides through the fabric's holes without piercing its threads or the floss already stitched.
What about linen?
Stitched over 2, 28-count linen stitches like 14-count Aida, with 2 strands and a slightly finer needle: its holes are smaller.
Set the fabric once in the editor
The size in inches, the fabric to cut and the skeins follow your chart, on Aida or linen.
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