Tutorial: Make a Cross Stitch Pattern from a Photo
This tutorial explains the settings in the generator and gives a few safe starting points. If you’ve never made a chart from a photo before, don’t worry — you can get good results quickly.
1) Upload a clean image
- Crop to the subject and remove busy backgrounds.
- Good contrast helps the chart read clearly.
- Avoid tiny faces or tiny text — they need a higher stitch count.
2) Choose stitches and colors
- Increase Stitches wide to add detail.
- Increase Max DMC colors for smoother shading (but too many colors can be harder to stitch).
- Turn on Dithering for gradients; keep it off for logos.
Recommended starting points (quick presets)
If you’re not sure what to choose, start with one of these presets and adjust from there. The best settings depend on the image (cartoon vs. photo), how big you want to stitch, and how much color switching you enjoy.
| Goal | Stitches wide | Max colors | Dithering | Confetti cleanup | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small icon / logo | 40–80 | 6–14 | None | Light | Clean edges, easy stitching |
| Pet / simple photo | 100–160 | 14–24 | Floyd–Steinberg (try) | Light → Medium | Increase stitches for facial detail |
| Portrait / shading | 140–220 | 20–40 | Floyd–Steinberg | Medium | More colors = smoother gradients |
| Big full‑coverage | 220–400 | 30–60 | Optional | Medium → Strong | Expect lots of stitching time |
More detail (more stitches + more colors) can look closer to the original image — but it also means more thread changes. If you want charts that are easier to stitch, prefer fewer colors and use confetti cleanup. For a deeper walkthrough, read Photo → pattern: settings that create cleaner charts.
Fabric count and finished size
The generator can estimate the finished size based on fabric count (11‑count, 14‑count, 16‑count, etc.). This doesn’t change the pattern — it just helps you plan how big it will be. If you’re new to fabric counts and strand numbers, start with Cross stitch basics.
3) Generate, save, and print
- Click Generate to create charts and a floss list.
- Use Download PNG to save charts as images.
- Use Print for a clean printed version (controls are hidden when printing).
- Download the CSV to keep a floss list and stitch counts.
Printing tips (so symbols are easy to read)
- Increase Chart cell size if the symbols feel cramped.
- Download the chart PNG and print it from an image viewer if your browser print scaling looks odd.
- For large patterns, consider printing in multiple pages or using a tablet/phone as a zoomable chart.
Thread list notes
The thread list includes stitch counts, which can help estimate how many skeins you need. Color matching is based on screen colors, so it’s a good idea to compare to real floss before you buy.
Need help?
If the result looks wrong, check the FAQ. If you found a bug or want a feature, use the Suggestions page.