Cross stitch guide
16 count Aida cross stitch fabric
16 count Aida has 16 squares to the inch, one step finer than 14 count. Stitch it with two strands and a size 26 tapestry needle. A pattern sized for 14 count comes out one eighth smaller each way on 16.
On this page 8 parts
What 16 count is
16 count Aida has 16 blocks in every inch (2.54 cm), so it takes 16 stitches to the inch. It sits between the two counts most stitchers know: a little finer than 14, not as fine as 18. The holes are still easy to find.
It is a good choice when a design is slightly too big on 14 count, or when you want the crosses to look a little neater and closer without changing how you stitch.
16 count at a glance
| On this fabric | 16 count Aida |
|---|---|
| Stitches to the inch | 16 |
| Tapestry needle | Size 26 |
| Strands of six-strand cotton | 2 |
| 100 stitches measure | 6 1/4 in (15.9 cm) |
Strands and needle
Two strands, the same as on 14 count. The blocks are smaller, so the same two strands cover them more fully. For backstitch outlines, one strand is usual.
A size 26 tapestry needle. It is one size finer than the 24 used on 14 count, to suit the smaller holes. Some needle charts allow a 24 on 16 count as well, so a 24 will do if it is what you have.
What a design comes to on 16 count
| Design, in stitches | Stitched size, inches | Stitched size, centimeters | Fabric to cut, inches | Fabric to cut, centimeters |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30 × 30 | 1 7/8 × 1 7/8 in | 4.8 × 4.8 cm | 8 × 8 in | 20 × 20 cm |
| 50 × 50 | 3 1/8 × 3 1/8 in | 7.9 × 7.9 cm | 10 × 10 in | 23 × 23 cm |
| 70 × 70 | 4 3/8 × 4 3/8 in | 11.1 × 11.1 cm | 11 × 11 in | 27 × 27 cm |
| 100 × 100 | 6 1/4 × 6 1/4 in | 15.9 × 15.9 cm | 13 × 13 in | 31 × 31 cm |
| 120 × 120 | 7 1/2 × 7 1/2 in | 19.1 × 19.1 cm | 14 × 14 in | 35 × 35 cm |
| 150 × 150 | 9 3/8 × 9 3/8 in | 23.8 × 23.8 cm | 16 × 16 in | 39 × 39 cm |
| 200 × 200 | 12 1/2 × 12 1/2 in | 31.8 × 31.8 cm | 19 × 19 in | 47 × 47 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.
A 14 count pattern on 16 count: what changes
Many patterns print their size for 14 count. You can stitch any of them on 16 count without changing the chart. Here is what is different.
- The size. Every measurement becomes 14/16 of what the pattern says, which is seven eighths. A design printed as 8 inches (20.3 cm) wide on 14 count is 7 inches (17.8 cm) wide on 16.
- The cloth to cut. The design is smaller, so the piece of cloth is smaller too. Work it out again; do not reuse the 14 count figure.
- The frame or mount. A frame chosen for the 14 count size will show more empty cloth around the design.
- The needle. Go one size finer, to a 26.
And what stays the same:
- The stitch count. There are exactly as many stitches. Only their size has changed.
- The strands. Two.
- The chart, the colors and the order of work.
To find the new size of any pattern, divide its width and its height in stitches by 16. That gives inches. Multiply by 2.54 for centimeters.
Common mistakes
- Cutting cloth to the size printed on the pattern. That size is for the count the pattern names. Work out the 16 count size before you cut.
- Mixing up 16 count and 32 count. They give the same size of stitch, but 32 count is evenweave or linen and each cross goes over two threads. On 16 count Aida each cross takes one block.
- Expecting a big saving in size. One eighth is modest. If a design must be much smaller, look at 18 count.
Questions people ask
Is 16 count much harder to see than 14 count? No. It is a small step: each block is one eighth smaller, and Aida keeps a clear hole at every corner.
Will a design look different on 16 count? A little crisper: the stitches are smaller and closer, so less cloth shows between them.
What is the same size as 16 count? 32 count evenweave or linen, worked over two threads.
Where to go next
Put your pattern's stitch count into the fabric calculator to see its size on 16 count and the cloth to cut. Compare 14 count and 18 count, or read about 32 count, which stitches to the same size over two threads. For other ways to change the size of a design, see resizing a pattern. Then pick a chart from all the patterns.