Aida

It's acceptable to use different fabric than what is called for in a pattern. The only thing the different count will do is make the finished design either larger or smaller, depending on which way you go with the count. BUT, newbie that I am, I wouldn't go *too* far away from recommended fabric count. For example, a design that called for 11 count Aida would probably not look so good on 28 ct. and vice versa.

I would think that 28 count would do just fine. You should figure out how big the design will be first because you might not have a big enough piece though. To figure out the size of the design (and thus how big of a piece of fabric you need), take the stitch counts and divide by the count. For example, let's say your stitch count is 200 x 200. The sizes for the different counts will be:

14 ct - 14 1/3 in x 14 1/3 in 18 ct - 11 1/6 in x 11 1/6 in 22 ct - 9 1/6 in x 9 1/6 in 32 ct - 6 1/3 in x 6 1/3 in

(if my calculations are correct.) So, if you go higher on the count, the design will be smaller. Lower on the count, the design will be larger. As I said, though, a huge difference in count might not work out so good as far as the design goes though.

Tracey

Tracey,

Thank you very much, I appreciate it. I think I get it. you would think after all these years of doing cross stitch I would know this....I guess the saying is true, you learn something new each day!!

AHHH but if you have always done kits, then you had no reason to ask the question and learn the difference. The count of the fabric tells you how many stitches there are per inch -- 14 Ct. fabric has 14 stitches every inch and 32 Ct. has 32 stitches every inch. Remember, if you change the fabric count, it can change the number of strands you use to stitch with. Personally, I use 2 strands on 14, 16 & 18 count fabric. for 22 or 32 Ct., I would probably use 1 strand. This is no problem unless you are using blended or tweeded colors (1 strand of 2 different colors). If that is the case and you do the design on 32 Ct. and use only 1 strand, I would recommend doing the bottom leg of every other stitch in color A and the top leg in color B. Then go back and do just the opposite in the skipped stitches. One thing about kit fabric -- it is usually not really very good quality. It's acceptable, of course and I always use it. You will find that if you buy your needlework fabric from an LNS you can get much nicer, better quality fabric. If you can find Zweigert or Wichelt aida in your local craft store, that would be great. The Charles Craft stuff that is available at Michael's, Joanns & Wally World is OK but not near as nice as one of the others :-). CiaoMeow >^;;^<

Heh. Thanks for that. I was only on my first cup of coffee and couldn't remember if it was 14 holes per inch or 14 squares per inch and was too lazy to walk the couple of feet to check. :P

Oh, yeah, that, too.

I'm doing a pattern now that calls for 3 strands on 14 count and, I have to say, I like the coverage it gives and it seems more 'poofy'. The pattern is from 'Santa's Great Book' and it's of a cream/white Santa and I like the effect.

Tracey

The count is the number of threads to the inch. You can stitch most patterns on most sizes, but the finished design will come out a different size. For example, if you stitch a 5 inch square design on 28 count, the same design will come out 10 inches square on 14 count (because the stitches will be twice as big). So, you'll need to do the math to make sure the piece of fabric is big enough, since if you do it on any of the pieces you have, the design will turn out bigger than it would have on 32 count. In some cases, it is possible that you will need more of other materials since you will be using up more with bigger stitches. Beads or charms might not fit as well. You may need to use more strands of floss to get adequate coverage, or use different fibers.

Best wishes, Ericka

AHHHHHHHH you guys are so nice!!! I dont know what I would do without you!! I appreciate the information it has helped a lot!!

Aida comes this fine?

Dianne

Another note to add to all of this: Some kits/charts will call for 22, 28 or 32 count, but done two-over-two (using two threads, over *two* spaces, instead of one), so if it calls for 28 count, it will probably work fine on

14 count, 32 count on 16, etc..... *unless* there are half- or quarter-stitches involved - those are hard to do on the 14 and other lower counts...

I believe it does, as the pattern calls for it!

Now I think I am getting confused LOL. Maybe I will wait and get the proper fabric before I dare start!!

I've done some serious Googling on this. I can't find listings anywhere for 32 count Aida. This is also the first time I've ever heard of such a thing. I suspect the chart means 16 count Aida (stitched over one "block") or 32 count linen (stitched over two threads) since those would be the same finished size. Does the chart list the finished project dimensions and the stitch count? A quick calculation based on that data would confirm this. Don't get confused by that last note--the whole two-over-two thing really doesn't apply to Aida. OK, it could but it would be strange.

Also, if you know the size of the chart (82 x 40 stitches, for example), you can use a fabric calculator to determine how big a piece you need - and it will tell you how big the stitched area will be! Here's one I like to use:

Everyone's already made good suggestions. I'll point you to Kathy Dyer's website for one of the best tutorial sites about needlework, particularly cross stitch. HTH.

Sky

P.S. There's only one rule with needlework -- the thread (usually) goes through the eye of the needle -- the remainder is subjective.

shan wrote:

I think you might want to look a little closer, as I'm pretty sure that Aida really doesn't come that fine. Aida is a specific kind of fabric, and looks like this:

've never seen it offered in anything even close to32 count. Something with that high a count is likelyto be linen or some other even weave fabric, whichwould look something like this: how the Aida has multiple threads groupedtogether going in each direction that make up thelittle squares you stitch over. The linen is justone thread in each direction between the holes thatthe needle goes into. That makes it possible tohave a much higher thread count. Even with 32 countlinen, you're going to have rather small stitches ifyou stitch over each thread, so many people stitchon linen (and other even weave fabrics) with eachstitch going over *two* threads in each direction,in which case stitching on 32 count linen over tworesults in the same size as stitching on 16 countAida. Or, of course, you can stitch over one threadin each direction and make tiny stitches. It's notdifficult to figure out how to stitch "over two."You get used to it quickly after a little experimentation.You just have to count a little more carefully. As far as what is recommended by your pattern, perhaps you could post precisely what the instructions say? Maybe there's something there that would make everything clear with a little interpretation? It's most likely that your pattern is looking for you to stitch "over two" on some kind of 32 count even weave, or the equivalent 16 count Aida (if there weren't any quarter stitches involved).

Best wishes, Ericka

I often use a slightly different count from what is called for when I want to manipulate the way charms or beads look on a design.

For instance, I like a charm to really fill up the space it's supposed to be in, so I'll switch from 32 count to 28 count fabric (stitched over two, of course, since these eyes don't do very well over one any longer). It may mean putting a charm slightly on a diagonal occasionally, but I generally just like the look better.

the pattern says:

32 count neutral colored fabric stitch count: 47W X 47H

It doesnt say wether its cm's or inches

Hope this helps, lol

Like I said, I have been doing cross stitch for many years and this is the first time I have come across a pattern that calls for 32 count...

there is fabric that is 32 count. its right here:

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