Quick answer: Finished width in inches equals the number of stitches across divided by the fabric count. A 140-stitch design on 14-count Aida finishes 10 inches wide, before adding margins.
The basic formula
When each cross uses one fabric square, Aida count means stitches per inch. Use these two formulas:
- Finished inches = stitches ÷ fabric count
- Stitches = finished inches × fabric count
To convert centimeters to inches, divide centimeters by 2.54. A 20 cm design is about 7.87 inches wide. On 14-count fabric, that gives about 110 stitches across.
Common planning examples
| Finished width | 11-count | 14-count | 18-count |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 cm / 5.9 in | 65 stitches | 83 stitches | 106 stitches |
| 20 cm / 7.9 in | 87 stitches | 110 stitches | 142 stitches |
| 25 cm / 9.8 in | 108 stitches | 138 stitches | 177 stitches |
Values are rounded to the nearest stitch. The completed fabric needs extra margin around the design for framing or finishing.
What changes when you choose a higher fabric count?
Higher-count fabric places more stitches in each inch. At the same physical size, that creates a larger grid and can preserve more detail from a photo. The individual crosses are smaller, so the work may be more demanding to see and place.
11-count Aida
Larger holes and crosses make it approachable and quick. It is useful for bold, simpler patterns, but a photo may need a larger finished size to hold enough detail.
14-count Aida
A common middle ground: enough resolution for many photo patterns without making the crosses unusually small.
18-count Aida
More stitches fit into the same area, allowing finer detail. It suits stitchers comfortable with smaller holes and denser charts.
Choose size from the viewing distance
A pattern does not need to reproduce every pixel. A piece viewed from across a room can use broader blocks of color than a small portrait examined close-up. Increase the finished size when the subject depends on subtle features, tiny lettering, or several faces.
Remember the fabric margin
The design size is not the cutting size. Add fabric around all sides for the hoop, frame, washing, and finishing method. A common planning allowance is at least 2–3 inches (5–8 cm) on every side, but the final requirement depends on how the work will be mounted.
Let Skeina calculate the grid
In Skeina, choose the finished width and fabric count while looking at the preview. The app calculates the stitch dimensions and finished height from the photo’s proportions. This makes it easy to compare a smaller, simpler project with a larger, more detailed one before generating the final chart.