Are you new to embroidery and keep running into those mysterious numbers on embroidery fabric, like: 14 count, 16 count, 18 count? When it comes to numbers, I quickly lose interest. So, when I first started embroidering, I found the counts rather complicated. But don't worry, it's easier than you think.
What is a count in embroidery fabric?
The count of embroidery fabric tells you how many holes there are per inch (2.54 cm). A 14-count aida has 14 holes per inch. The higher the number, the smaller the holes and the finer your embroidery will be.
The most commonly used counts for Aida embroidery fabric
11 count aida
- Large holes, easy to see
- Ideal for children or people with poor eyesight
- Your embroidery will be quite large
- Often used for children's first projects
14 count aida
- The most popular choice for beginners
- Good balance between easy work and beautiful results
- Holes are clearly visible but not too big
- Perfect for most patterns
16 count aida
- Some finer holes
- Your embroidery will be more compact
- Still good for beginners
- Great for patterns with lots of details
18 count aida
- Fine holes for detailed work
- More for advanced embroiderers
- Your embroidery will become smaller and more detailed
Which count do you choose as a beginner?
I always recommend starting with an embroidery kit that comes with 14-count fabric. This is the standard for most embroidery kits, and for good reason. You'll find that most Iris Embroidery kits come with 14-count aida. I personally find this the most comfortable count for embroidery! The holes are large enough to be easily seen, and your needle goes through them easily. At the same time, you get a beautiful, neat result.
How do you calculate the final size of your embroidery?
Here's a handy calculation: divide the number of stitches in your pattern by the fabric count. For example: Your pattern is 140 stitches wide and you're using 14-count aida. 140 ÷ 14 = 10 inches wide (about 25 cm).
Are you feeling dizzy yet? I am. Luckily, there are some very handy cross-stitch calculators online! You don't have to do the math yourself. I like using the calculator from crossstitch.com, which you can find here .
Enter the stitch count of your pattern (width and height), choose the count of your embroidery fabric, and the calculator immediately shows you how many centimeters your final result will be. It's super easy to check if your pattern fits on your fabric and how much fabric you'll need. You can also use this to calculate the size of your pattern if you want to embroider on a different count.
Other fabrics for cross stitch
Personally, I find aida the best fabric for embroidery. You can easily count the squares, preventing counting errors, and it comes in many counts and colors. But besides aida, there are also other fabrics for cross-stitch, such as evenweave.
What is evenweave embroidery fabric?
Evenweave is a different type of embroidery fabric than aida. While aida has distinct "boxes," evenweave has a regular weave (hence the name 'evenweave') without those handy boxes. With evenweave, you usually embroider over two weaving threads simultaneously, instead of just one thread as with aida.
That is why evenweave is indicated differently:
28 count evenweave = embroidery over 2 threads = comparable to 14 count aida
32 count evenweave = embroidery over 2 threads = comparable to 16 count aida
Evenweave gives a more natural look to your embroidery, but is a bit more difficult for beginners because you have to count the threads.
Tips for Choosing the Right Count First time embroidery? Choose 14-count aida Large patterns? Try 16 or 18 count to keep the size manageable. Trouble seeing? Go for 11-count aida. Want very detailed work? Work towards 18-count or evenweave. Frequently Asked Questions about Embroidery Fabric Counts Can I embroider any pattern on any count? Yes, but your final result will be larger or smaller. Always check that your pattern fits on your fabric. Do I need to use different embroidery threads for different counts? No, standard embroidery thread (such as DMC) works with all counts. With very fine counts, you sometimes use fewer threads at a time. Is more expensive always better for embroidery fabric? Not necessarily. Good quality aida doesn't have to be expensive. Pay particular attention to a regular weave and a nice, smooth feel. Getting Started on Your First Embroidery Project Now that you know what counts mean, you can confidently choose your first embroidery fabric. Start with 14-count aida, choose a pattern you like, and get started. You'll see that embroidery can be addictive! Still have questions about embroidery fabric counts? Feel free to contact us – we're happy to help you on your embroidery adventure.
