A small first project
Start with the flower example at 40 stitches across and 6 colors. On 14-count Aida, 40 stitches measure about 2.86 inches across. Add fabric around every edge for handling, framing, or finishing.
A custom palette replaces automatic colors. IDs are generic and do not claim a DMC, Perler, or Hama match. Transparent pixels blend onto white. Height follows the image ratio, up to 160 rows.
Upload a simple image or try the flower example. Generate again after changing width or colors.
Uses your local image, your optional palette, and an original browser-drawn flower example. No external craft-color dataset is included.
How to use the Cross-Stitch Pattern Generator
- 01
Upload a PNG, JPEG, WebP, or GIF, or load the original flower example. Choose an image with a clear subject and simple background.
- 02
Choose 8–120 stitches across and 2–32 automatic colors. Optionally enter 2–32 hex colors to restrict the chart to your own palette.
- 03
Set stitches per inch to estimate the finished design size, then select Generate pattern after changing width or colors.
- 04
Check the chart and color counts. Download the PDF for readable symbol tiles, PNG for a complete view, or CSV for a shopping worksheet.
Examples
Working from supplies you own
Enter the hex colors from your own swatches, such as #FFFFFF, #293D4A, #CC5670, and #407552. Each pixel is assigned to the closest listed RGB color. The IDs describe those screen colors; they are not manufacturer floss numbers.
Choose detail before choosing fabric
The chart width controls the number of stitches, not the image display size. Increasing width preserves more facial features, lettering, and outlines, but it also increases the work. Height follows the original aspect ratio and stops at 160 rows, so unusually tall images may be compressed. Crop to the subject before uploading if the background is not useful.
What the color limit changes
Automatic colors are derived from the resized image with a small RGB clustering routine. Similar colors share one symbol. An image with very few distinct colors may use fewer colors than the maximum. A custom palette bypasses clustering and maps every stitch to its nearest supplied color. Transparent areas are blended with white and count as stitches; this generator does not create unstitched transparent cells.
Read the exported chart
Each legend entry has a symbol, a hex color, and the number of stitches using that color. Grid lines are heavier every ten stitches. The PDF starts with a supply summary, then divides the chart into nonoverlapping tiles of up to 30 columns by 40 rows. Tile headings give one-based row and column ranges. Match those ranges at page boundaries rather than adding extra stitches.
Use stitch counts as planning information
The total is one full cross stitch per cell. It does not include backstitch, fractional stitches, French knots, thread tails, or waste. Stitch counts do not directly specify skeins because floss consumption depends on fabric count, strand count, stitching technique, and usable skein length. Check physical thread samples in daylight before buying supplies.
What to know
- Full cross stitches only; no backstitch or fractional-stitch instructions.
- Generic RGB colors only. No manufacturer color database or automatic physical-thread guarantee.
- Images are capped at 20 MB and 40 million source pixels; patterns are limited to 120 columns and 160 rows.
Common questions
Does this generator use DMC floss numbers?
No. The palette uses generic symbol IDs and RGB hex colors, or colors you enter. It includes no licensed manufacturer palette and makes no DMC color-match claim. Match the screen colors to your physical floss yourself.
How do I calculate the finished size?
Divide stitches across and stitches down by stitches per inch. A 70 by 84 chart at 14 stitches per inch measures 5 by 6 inches, before any border. For fabric stitched over two threads, enter the resulting stitches per inch rather than the fabric thread count.
Why did details disappear?
A small stitch grid cannot retain every source pixel. Use a tighter crop, a larger stitch width, or more colors, then generate again. Large lettering and high-contrast shapes usually survive reduction better than fine lines.
Are uploaded pictures stored?
The tool reads and processes the selected file locally in this browser. It does not upload the image to a processing service. Downloads are created when you request them.