How to Turn a Photo into a Cross Stitch Pattern →
Choose a clear image, crop the subject, set the stitch count and simplify colors before reviewing and printing your chart.
Your pattern, your pace
Cross Stitch Pattern Maker
Turn a photo or a blank canvas into a cross stitch chart you can edit and print.
Originals, made for making
Moonlit window cat
Follow each design from original artwork to an editable chart and an illustrated craft finish. Open the chart to adjust colors, edit cells and print your own version.
AI mockups illustrate a possible finish, not an exact rendering of the chart. The editable chart is actual tool output; physical making has not been tested.
Turn a Photo into a Cross Stitch Pattern
Choose a Clear Image
Follow each design from original artwork to an editable chart and an illustrated craft finish. Open the chart to adjust colors, edit cells and print your own version.
Crop Around Your Subject
Drag a crop rectangle or enter edge percentages. Adjust brightness and contrast while comparing the next-chart preview. Remove edge background removes similar colors connected to the image edge; check that wanted details remain. Generate applies the settings to the chart.
Follow the photo conversion guide →
Choose Your Stitch Count and Fabric Count
Balance Detail and Project Size
Yes. Set width and height from 8 to 160 on Free, or up to 400 with Maker Plus. These settings apply to the next generated or blank chart. Use Resize existing canvas to add space or crop an existing design without resampling it.
Check the Finished Dimensions
A 70 × 70 stitch design on 14-count fabric is 12.7 × 12.7 cm. Fabric count changes the finished size, not the number of stitches. The editor shows the design area; add your own border allowance.
Refine Colors and Edit Individual Stitches
Reduce the Number of Colors
Choose up to 30 colors from 489 DMC references, or up to 12 custom colors. Match current pattern applies a palette to the existing grid. Color merging can simplify selected details.
Clean Up Isolated Stitches
Highlight Single stitches, then use Pencil, Eraser or Fill area. Some single stitches are intentional; the editor does not automatically remove them. Undo and Redo retain up to 30 recent edits.
Download a Printable Cross Stitch Chart
Save project keeps editable JSON. Export settings offers A4 or Letter, black-and-white or colored symbols, and 3, 4 or 6 mm reading cells. Inspect chart sections before opening Print / Save PDF. PNG and material-count CSV downloads are also available.
Match paper settings in the print dialog, use 100% scale and disable browser headers and footers. Check the 50 mm calibration line. Pages contain up to 40 × 40 stitches; larger cells may reduce that capacity. Follow the printed ranges without overlap.
See a Pattern Made with This Tool
01 / Original artwork · AI generated
02 / Craft mockup · AI generated
Supported scope & limitations
Full cross stitches only. This editor does not create backstitches, fractional stitches, thread-length estimates or instructions for other crafts. Screen colors are approximate. Physical stitching of this sample is still pending; test a small section before a large project.
Keep Editing and Making
Arrange your motif
Add block lettering for a name or short phrase, then select an area to copy, move, mirror or rotate it. Resize existing canvas adds space or crops the edges without regenerating the artwork. Review the preview and any overwrite warning.
Add lettering step by step →Save and resume your projects
Switch to Make mode to lock drawing and mark completed rows. My projects keeps separate charts, copies, notes and progress in this browser. One automatic draft per maker protects recent edits; download JSON for a separate backup. Source photos and undo history are not saved.
Saving and recovery guide →Cross stitch Guides & Help
How to Read a Cross Stitch Chart →
Read the grid, symbols, color key and page coordinates using an annotated chart exported from the actual editor.
Add Names and Short Messages to Your Pattern →
Preview block lettering, fit it to your chart and preserve the result in any of the five makers.
Save, Back Up and Resume Your Patterns →
Save local or cloud projects, keep editable backups and resume row progress across all five makers.
Choose PDF, PNG or CSV and Check Print Settings →
Pick the right export, match paper settings and review page boundaries before making your project.
Cross Stitch Pattern Maker FAQ
Is this pattern maker free?
Yes. Free includes local conversion and editing up to 160 × 160, plus PNG, CSV, JSON and basic PDF printing without an account. Maker Plus supports up to 400 × 400. Cloud saving requires sign-in; Free accounts can save 5 cloud projects.
How should a beginner start?
Try a sample first, then use a small grid and a few colors. Review individual cells and print a test page before starting a large project.
Can I turn a picture into a chart with DMC color numbers?
Choose up to 30 colors from 489 DMC references, or up to 12 custom colors. Match current pattern applies a palette to the existing grid. Color merging can simplify selected details.
Can I make a chart and save a printable PDF?
Yes. Create or edit your chart, open Export settings, choose A4 or Letter, then use Print / Save PDF. Select Save as PDF in your browser’s print dialog. Check the saved file; canceling the dialog creates no PDF.
Can I create a cross stitch pattern from a photo?
Upload a photo, crop the subject and choose the grid dimensions and colors. Generate the pattern, then review and edit it before exporting.
What is the difference between stitch count and fabric count?
Stitch count is the chart width and height in stitches. Fabric count is the number of stitches per inch when working one full cross per fabric square; it determines the design size.
Why does my pattern contain scattered single stitches?
Small image variations can produce isolated stitches. Reduce the color count, merge similar colors or enable Single stitches to review and edit them manually.
Will the thread colors exactly match my screen?
No. DMC references are community approximations and custom colors are screen references. Check your physical thread before starting.
Can I print the chart with symbols instead of colors?
Yes. Export settings offers black-and-white or colored symbols, A4 or Letter and 3, 4 or 6 mm reading cells. Match the paper in the print dialog, use 100% scale and turn off headers and footers.
Can I save my progress?
Yes. Local drafts and downloaded JSON preserve your chart and row progress. Sign in and choose Save to cloud to continue on another device, then save changes explicitly. Signing in does not upload local projects automatically. Keep a separate JSON backup.
Can I use the generated pattern commercially?
You retain your existing rights. Personal or commercial use of a chart depends on the source-image and material-data licenses; generation grants no third-party rights. Keep required credits. AI effect images are illustrations, not photographs of tested crafts.
Are my images uploaded, and do I need an account?
Images are processed locally. Conversion, editing and basic exports need no account. Optional cloud saving requires sign-in and stores the chart when you choose Save to cloud; source photos are not included. Local drafts are not cloud backups.