Cross stitch guide
25 count cross stitch fabric
25 count fabric is evenweave or linen with 25 threads to the inch. It is usually worked over two threads, which gives 12.5 stitches to the inch: a little larger than 14 count, a little smaller than 11. Use two or three strands and a size 24 or 26 tapestry needle.
On this page 10 parts
What 25 count is
A 25 count cloth has 25 single threads in every inch (2.54 cm), across and down. It is woven both as evenweave, in cotton blended with viscose, and as linen. It is not one of the listed Aida counts: the cloth has no blocks, only threads with a hole between each.
What it is worked over
Over two threads is the usual way. Each cross covers two threads across and two up. Twenty-five threads, two to a stitch, makes 12.5 stitches to the inch. In the picture, twelve crosses use 24 threads and one thread is left over at the end of the inch.
Over one thread is the other way. Each cross covers a single thread, which gives 25 very small stitches to the inch. A pattern will say so if it is meant to be stitched this way.
Because 12.5 falls between the Aida counts, 25 count over two has no exact Aida twin. Its stitches are a little larger than those of 14 count (and of 28 count over two), and a little smaller than those of 11 count.
25 count over two, at a glance
| On this fabric | 25 count evenweave or linen, over two |
|---|---|
| Stitches to the inch | 12.5 |
| Tapestry needle | Size 24 |
| Strands of six-strand cotton | 2 |
| 100 stitches measure | 8 in (20.3 cm) |
25 count over one, at a glance
| On this fabric | 25 count |
|---|---|
| Stitches to the inch | 25 |
| Tapestry needle | Size 28 |
| Strands of six-strand cotton | 1 or 2 |
| 100 stitches measure | 4 in (10.2 cm) |
Strands and needle
Over two: two strands or three. This count sits between 11 count, where three strands are usual, and 14 count, where two are. Published calculators that go by the stitches to the inch give three at 12.5. Two strands give a lighter, flatter stitch. Three give fuller cover. Work a few crosses each way in the margin and choose by eye.
Over two: a size 24 or a size 26 needle. A 24 suits a stitch of this size. Needle charts that go by the count of the cloth itself give a finer 26, and one gives a 28. A 24 or a 26 passes between the threads without forcing them.
Over one: one strand and a size 28 needle. The table allows one strand or two at this size. A size 28 has a delicate eye and takes a single strand, so one is the usual choice.
What a design comes to on 25 count over two
| Design, in stitches | Stitched size, inches | Stitched size, centimeters | Fabric to cut, inches | Fabric to cut, centimeters |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30 × 30 | 2 3/8 × 2 3/8 in | 6.1 × 6.1 cm | 9 × 9 in | 22 × 22 cm |
| 50 × 50 | 4 × 4 in | 10.2 × 10.2 cm | 10 × 10 in | 26 × 26 cm |
| 70 × 70 | 5 5/8 × 5 5/8 in | 14.2 × 14.2 cm | 12 × 12 in | 30 × 30 cm |
| 100 × 100 | 8 × 8 in | 20.3 × 20.3 cm | 14 × 14 in | 36 × 36 cm |
| 120 × 120 | 9 5/8 × 9 5/8 in | 24.4 × 24.4 cm | 16 × 16 in | 40 × 40 cm |
| 150 × 150 | 12 × 12 in | 30.5 × 30.5 cm | 18 × 18 in | 46 × 46 cm |
| 200 × 200 | 16 × 16 in | 40.6 × 40.6 cm | 22 × 22 in | 56 × 56 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.
What a design comes to on 25 count over one
| Design, in stitches | Stitched size, inches | Stitched size, centimeters | Fabric to cut, inches | Fabric to cut, centimeters |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30 × 30 | 1 1/4 × 1 1/4 in | 3.0 × 3.0 cm | 8 × 8 in | 19 × 19 cm |
| 50 × 50 | 2 × 2 in | 5.1 × 5.1 cm | 8 × 8 in | 21 × 21 cm |
| 70 × 70 | 2 3/4 × 2 3/4 in | 7.1 × 7.1 cm | 9 × 9 in | 23 × 23 cm |
| 100 × 100 | 4 × 4 in | 10.2 × 10.2 cm | 10 × 10 in | 26 × 26 cm |
| 120 × 120 | 4 3/4 × 4 3/4 in | 12.2 × 12.2 cm | 11 × 11 in | 28 × 28 cm |
| 150 × 150 | 6 × 6 in | 15.2 × 15.2 cm | 12 × 12 in | 31 × 31 cm |
| 200 × 200 | 8 × 8 in | 20.3 × 20.3 cm | 14 × 14 in | 36 × 36 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
- Treating 25 count as 28 count. They are close but not the same. A design sized for 28 count over two (or for 14 count Aida) comes out 12 percent bigger on 25 count over two. One that is 7 inches (17.8 cm) wide there is 7 7/8 inches (19.9 cm) wide here.
- Halving the count and buying for "12 count". The true figure is 12.5. Over a design 150 stitches wide the half stitch makes half an inch (1.3 cm) of difference.
- Missing "over one" in the pattern's notes. The same chart is half the size over one. Read the pattern before you cut the cloth.
Questions people ask
Is there a 25 count Aida? The lists of Aida counts that makers and guilds publish stop at 18 or 20. Cloth sold at 25 count is normally evenweave or linen.
How many stitches to the inch is 25 count? 12.5 over two threads, 25 over one.
Can I stitch a 14 count pattern on 25 count? Yes, over two. It will be 12 percent larger each way, so work out the size and the cloth again.
What is close to 25 count? 28 count over two is a little finer, at 14 stitches to the inch. 22 count over two is a little coarser, at 11.
Where to go next
Open the fabric calculator on 25 count over two and enter your own design. For the stitch, read how to cross stitch on evenweave and linen, over two threads. For the nearest count with an Aida twin, see 28 count. For more on choosing the number of strands, see how many strands to use.