Cross stitch guide
11 count Aida cross stitch fabric
11 count Aida has 11 squares to the inch, so its stitches are large and its holes are easy to see. Stitch it with three strands of six-strand cotton and a size 22 tapestry needle. A design comes out about a quarter bigger each way than on 14 count.
On this page 7 parts
What 11 count is good for
11 count Aida has 11 blocks, and so 11 stitches, in every inch (2.54 cm). That makes it the coarsest of the four Aida counts most stitchers use: 11, 14, 16 and 18. Each block is about a quarter wider than a block of 14 count.
Big squares are its whole point.
- It is easy to see. The holes are large and clear. It suits a first project, a child, or anyone who finds 14 count hard on the eyes.
- It looks bold. The crosses are big and plain to see, which suits simple shapes and designs without much fine detail.
The cost is size. A design grows by about 27 percent each way compared with 14 count, so a large chart becomes a very large piece.
11 count at a glance
| On this fabric | 11 count Aida |
|---|---|
| Stitches to the inch | 11 |
| Tapestry needle | Size 22 |
| Strands of six-strand cotton | 3 |
| 100 stitches measure | 9 1/8 in (23.1 cm) |
Strands and needle
Three strands. Two strands, right for 14 count, look thin on these bigger blocks and let the cloth show through. Three fill the stitch. Work a few crosses in the margin to be sure you like the cover.
A size 22 tapestry needle. It is thicker than the 24 used on 14 count, with an eye that takes three strands easily. Needle charts do not all agree for 11 count: some give a 20, one size thicker, and some a 24. Any of the three passes through these holes, so use the one that threads easily and feels right in your hand.
What a design comes to on 11 count
| Design, in stitches | Stitched size, inches | Stitched size, centimeters | Fabric to cut, inches | Fabric to cut, centimeters |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30 × 30 | 2 3/4 × 2 3/4 in | 6.9 × 6.9 cm | 9 × 9 in | 22 × 22 cm |
| 50 × 50 | 4 1/2 × 4 1/2 in | 11.5 × 11.5 cm | 11 × 11 in | 27 × 27 cm |
| 70 × 70 | 6 3/8 × 6 3/8 in | 16.2 × 16.2 cm | 13 × 13 in | 32 × 32 cm |
| 100 × 100 | 9 1/8 × 9 1/8 in | 23.1 × 23.1 cm | 16 × 16 in | 39 × 39 cm |
| 120 × 120 | 10 7/8 × 10 7/8 in | 27.7 × 27.7 cm | 17 × 17 in | 43 × 43 cm |
| 150 × 150 | 13 5/8 × 13 5/8 in | 34.6 × 34.6 cm | 20 × 20 in | 50 × 50 cm |
| 200 × 200 | 18 1/8 × 18 1/8 in | 46.2 × 46.2 cm | 25 × 25 in | 62 × 62 cm |
The fabric to cut leaves 3 inches (7.5 cm) on every side for framing, rounded up to a whole inch or centimeter. For a design of another size, open the fabric calculator on 100 × 100 stitches at this count and change the numbers.
Common mistakes
- Stitching with two strands out of habit. The stitches look sparse. Use three.
- Buying the cloth a 14 count pattern asks for. The pattern's size and its cloth are for its own count. On 11 count the design is bigger and needs a bigger piece. A design printed as 5 inches (12.7 cm) wide on 14 count is 70 stitches wide, which is 6 3/8 inches (16.2 cm) on 11 count.
- Choosing 11 count for a very detailed design. Fine shading is made of many small stitches. On 11 count they turn into a very large picture, and the single squares show.
Questions people ask
Is 11 count easier than 14 count? It is easier to see. The stitch itself is made the same way.
Is 11 count good for children? Yes. The large holes and the thicker needle are easier for a child to manage. Coarser cloth still, 8 count and 6 count, has even larger holes.
What is the same size as 11 count? 22 count cloth with each cross worked over two threads. Twenty-two threads, two to a stitch, is 11 stitches to the inch.
Can I use a pattern that names 14 count? Yes. The chart does not change. Divide its stitches by 11 to get the new size in inches, and multiply by 2.54 for centimeters.
Where to go next
Enter your design in the fabric calculator to get its size on 11 count and the cloth to cut. If 11 count comes out too big, read about 14 count. For cloth that is coarser still, see the less common fabric counts, and for a first project with a child, teaching a child to cross stitch. The Easy patterns, in a few colors and full crosses, suit 11 count well.