14, 16 or 18 count Aida: which should you choose?
What Aida fabric count means, how it changes the size of your finished cross-stitch, and which needle and number of strands to use on each count.
· 4 min read
The same cross-stitch pattern can finish as a large wall piece or a small framed picture, depending on the fabric you stitch it on. The difference comes down to the fabric’s count.
What does fabric count mean?
Count is the number of stitches that fit into one inch of fabric. On 14 count Aida there are 14 squares to the inch, so you make 14 stitches per inch; on 18 count there are 18. The higher the number, the smaller the squares and the smaller your finished piece.
Because count is always measured per inch, it’s easiest to do any sums in inches and convert to centimetres at the end (1 inch is 2.54 cm).
How count changes the finished size
Here’s the same design, 140 stitches wide, on the three most popular counts:
| Fabric | Stitches per inch | Finished width |
|---|---|---|
| 14 count Aida | 14 | 10 in (25.4 cm) |
| 16 count Aida | 16 | 8.75 in (22.2 cm) |
| 18 count Aida | 18 | 7.8 in (19.8 cm) |
Moving from 14 to 18 count makes the piece more than a fifth smaller in each direction. Every Chart Chic pattern page has a size chart that does this sum for you, from 14 up to 25 count.
14 count: the easiest to start with
14 count is the most widely used Aida and the one most beginners start on. The holes are easy to see and count, the stitches cover ground quickly, and mistakes are easier to unpick. Most stitchers use two strands of stranded cotton and a size 24 tapestry needle.
16 count: a little finer
16 count gives a slightly neater, more detailed look while still being comfortable to work on. Two strands is usual, with a size 24 or 26 tapestry needle.
18 count: small and detailed
18 count suits detailed designs and smaller finished pieces, but the holes are noticeably smaller, so good light helps. Use a size 26 tapestry needle. Two strands give full coverage; one strand gives a lighter, more delicate look.
What about evenweave and linen?
Evenweave and linen are woven from single threads rather than Aida’s blocks, and are usually stitched “over two”, with each cross covering two threads in each direction. That halves the effective count, so 28 count evenweave stitched over two finishes the same size as 14 count Aida, and 32 count over two matches 16 count.
How to choose
- New to cross-stitch, or prefer larger stitches: 14 count.
- Want a smaller finished piece or a finer look: 16 or 18 count.
- Have a particular frame in mind: check the size chart on the pattern and pick the count that fits.
Whichever you choose, buy fabric bigger than the design itself, with at least 7 to 8 cm (about 3 in) spare on every side for hooping and framing. Our guide to working out the finished size shows how to calculate exactly how much you need.
