ChartAStitchCross Stitch Chart Generator
Turn any photo or text into a stitchable chart with DMC thread numbers — free to try.
What Our Cross Stitch Chart Generator Does
ChartAStitch is an intuitive cross stitch chart generator designed to transform any digital picture or custom lettering into a stitchable embroidery pattern in seconds. Simply upload your graphic or type meaningful vows, and our engine automatically quantizes pixels into standard DMC cotton embroidery floss numbers, generates grid coordinates, and calculates your finished fabric dimensions across 14, 16, and 18 count Aida cloth.
We built this tool for passionate needleworkers, thoughtful gift makers crafting personalized keepsakes, and independent Etsy shop owners producing physical embroidery goods. Unlike clunky legacy cross stitch pattern maker software that requires manual color matching, our system supports turning photos, logos, pet portraits, and wedding invitation text into charts with complete floss estimates and print-ready symbol keys. Whether you are stitching a baby birth announcement or framing heirloom hoop art, you get crystal-clear grids calibrated for relaxed, error-free crafting.
What Goes In
Family photos, pet snapshots, monogram letters, company logos, floral drawings, and memorable wedding quotes.
What Comes Out
Numbered grid coordinates, high-contrast symbols, verified DMC thread codes, skein requirements, and exact fabric dimensions.
Who It Is For
Beginners picking up a needle, crafters sewing custom gifts for loved ones, and small business stitchers selling physical hoop art.
How to Make a Cross Stitch Chart
Create your custom embroidery chart in three quick steps with our free cross stitch pattern generator.
Upload your image or type your text
Drag and drop any photograph, illustration, or pet picture directly into the browser. Prefer stitching words or monograms? Switch to the text tab to type names, dates, or housewarming mottos using our pixelated needlework typography.
Choose your stitch count and thread count
Adjust your chart width between 30 and 200 stitches based on your desired hoop size. For example, on 14-count Aida, a 100-stitch wide design measures approximately 7.1 inches across. Select between 8 and 32 DMC colors to balance fine detail with thread budget.
Download the chart with DMC thread list
Review your pattern on screen with coordinates, center markings, and symbols. Export a fast web preview or grab a high-resolution printable PDF complete with color swatches, DMC floss skein estimates, and recommended needle sizes.
See How Real Photos Convert to Needlework
Explore popular projects created on ChartAStitch. Toggle between the original photo and the authentic DMC-mapped cross stitch chart. Every design features laboratory-matched floss codes, clean stitch clustering, and zero muddy confetti.
Sunny Beagle Puppy Portrait
Warm golden fur gradations and joyful expression mapped cleanly without confetti. The #1 most popular custom needlecraft category.
Hokusai: The Great Wave off Kanagawa
Iconic Japanese ukiyo-e woodblock wave translated into authentic Prussian blues, foaming sea spray, and Mount Fuji silhouette.
Radiant Summer Sunflower Bloom
Luminous golden petals against sky blue. High contrast and clean organic clusters make this ideal for round wooden hoop framing.
Dutch Golden Age Floral Masterpiece
Heirloom museum still life by Jan Davidsz. de Heem with peonies, lilies, and irises against a dramatic deep velvet background.
Curious Tuxedo Cat on Perch
Vivid emerald eyes, crisp whisker details, and soft paws. Clear separation between black-and-white coat without muddy gray noise.
Victorian Alphabet & Rose Sampler
Heirloom cross-stitch typography with delicate floral vines. Timeless design for family birth announcements, weddings, and samplers.
What Your Chart Includes
Every embroidery chart generated on our platform is built from the ground up to eliminate stitching frustration. When you convert an image, you do not just get a raw colored picture—you receive a comprehensive, professional cross stitch chart designed for real needle and thread. Each symbol on the pattern corresponds to an exact, laboratory-verified DMC stranded cotton number so your finished embroidery precisely matches your digital original. Because every stitcher has their preferred fabric tension, your pattern package includes finished dimensions for three common Aida cloth counts, complete floss skein calculations, and high-contrast symbols formatted for effortless home printing.
Sample 15×15 coordinate grid with center crosshair & symbol legend.
5 Key Components in Every Chart Package:
1. Grid Coordinate Chart with High-Contrast Symbols
Clear 10×10 numbered lines, center orientation arrows, and distinct high-contrast symbols that prevent eye strain whether reading on an iPad or on paper.
2. Authentic DMC Thread Key & Color Codes
Every color mapped to the worldwide industry standard DMC stranded cotton line with hex preview, standard code (e.g. 310, B5200, 321), and official shade name.
3. Skein Usage & Floss Yardage Estimates
Calculated meterage and skein counts including a 25% safety buffer for thread tails and jumps, ensuring you never run short mid-project.
4. Finished Dimensions for 14, 16, & 18 Count Aida
Exact design measurements in inches and centimeters, plus recommended fabric cut sizes with a 2-inch border for standard hoop or frame mounting.
5. High-Resolution Print-Ready PDF Export
Multi-page vector-sharp PDF ready for Letter or A4 printing, complete with cover sheet, page map for large projects, and thread shopping list.
DMC Thread & Fabric Size Reference
Essential reference standards used by cross stitch designers worldwide. Use these tables to choose your Aida cloth count and plan your embroidery floss shopping list.
Aida Fabric Count & Finished Size Guide
Comparison of 14, 16, and 18 count cloth for common chart widths (square motifs).
| Fabric Count | Stitch Width | 80 Stitches Wide | 120 Stitches Wide | 200 Stitches Wide | Tapestry Needle |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14 Count Aida | 0.0714 in (1.81 mm) | 5.7 × 5.7 in (14.5 cm) | 8.6 × 8.6 in (21.8 cm) | 14.3 × 14.3 in (36.3 cm) | Size 24 Tapestry |
| 16 Count Aida | 0.0625 in (1.59 mm) | 5.0 × 5.0 in (12.7 cm) | 7.5 × 7.5 in (19.1 cm) | 12.5 × 12.5 in (31.8 cm) | Size 24-26 Tapestry |
| 18 Count Aida | 0.0556 in (1.41 mm) | 4.4 × 4.4 in (11.3 cm) | 6.7 × 6.7 in (16.9 cm) | 11.1 × 11.1 in (28.2 cm) | Size 26 Tapestry |
12 Most Popular DMC Floss Colors
Standard Six-Strand Cotton Floss shades found in virtually every classic and modern needlework project.
Black
Essential outlines & eyes
Snow White
Brightest crisp white
Christmas Red
Vibrant primary holiday red
Bright Red
Classic vivid scarlet
Chartreuse
Bright spring leaf green
Parrot Green
Rich medium foliage
Light Bright Turquoise
Vibrant tropical sky/ocean
Medium Cornflower Blue
Vintage dusty blue
Dark Blue Violet
Muted purple shading
Topaz
Warm golden amber
Light Tan
Warm skin tones & wood
Light Baby Pink
Soft blossom highlight
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to common questions about fabric counts, DMC floss matching, and pattern licensing.
Yes! ChartAStitch is a free cross stitch pattern generator for designs up to 50×50 stitches with full on-screen preview and DMC thread matching. You can upload images, customize dimensions, preview grid coordinates, and test color palettes completely free without signing up. If you need high-resolution printable PDF exports, larger projects up to 200 stitches wide, or commercial licensing, a 7-day pass is $4.99 and an annual pass is $29 — both unlimited, no account required.