What is the difference between Aida and evenweave?

Aida has a grouped weave that creates a rigid grid of visible holes. Evenweave (like linen or Jobelan) has individual threads running in both directions with no grouping. Evenweave produces a softer, more fabric-like appearance but requires counting individual threads rather than using the built-in grid.

Can Aida fabric be washed?

Yes. Most Aida is 100% cotton and can be hand-washed in cool water with a mild detergent. Avoid hot water, which can shrink the fabric. Dry flat and press face-down on a towel. Some coloured Aida fabrics may bleed on the first wash — test on a small piece first.

What thread do you use with Aida fabric?

DMC stranded cotton is the most common thread used with Aida fabric. It comes in 6 strands, and you separate 2 strands for standard 14-count work. Anchor stranded cotton is the main alternative and uses a different numbering system but is otherwise similar.

Is Aida fabric the same as cross stitch fabric?

Aida is the most commonly used cross stitch fabric, but not all cross stitch fabric is Aida. Evenweave and linen fabrics are also used for cross stitch, particularly for heirloom and fine work. Aida is the standard choice for beginners and most commercial patterns.

What is Aida Fabric?

Aida fabric is an even-weave cotton cloth with a regular grid of holes, purpose-made for cross stitch and other counted embroidery. The number in its name (11-count, 14-count, etc.) tells you how many holes are in each inch of fabric.

How Aida fabric is made

Aida is woven with groups of threads — typically two or four threads woven together — rather than individual threads. This grouping creates clearly visible squares with a hole at each corner. Each hole is a stitch position. The result is a fabric that is easy to count on, easy to thread a needle through, and holds its shape well during stitching.

Aida fabric counts explained

The count number tells you how many stitches fit in one linear inch. 14-count has 14 holes per inch, giving 14 stitches per inch in each direction. A higher count means smaller stitches and more detail possible in the same physical space. See the full guide at Aida counts explained.

Count	Stitches/inch	Hole size	Best for
11-count	11	2.2mm	Beginners, large designs
14-count	14	1.7mm	Most patterns (most popular)
16-count	16	1.5mm	Intermediate detail
18-count	18	1.3mm	Fine detail, jewelry
28-count	14 eff.	0.9mm	Heirloom, evenweave look

How to choose the right Aida count

If you are new to cross stitch, use 14-count. It is the standard that almost every pattern assumes, and the holes are comfortable to work with. Once you have completed two or three projects on 14-count and want finer detail, move up to 16 or 18-count. The Aida fabric calculator shows the exact fabric dimensions for any count and stitch count combination.

If your design is very large and you want it to remain a manageable physical size, a higher count lets you fit more stitches in less space. If your design is small and you want it to fill a frame, a lower count like 11 makes each stitch larger.

Calculate fabric size for your Aida count:

Units:

Design width (stitches)

Design height (stitches)

Aida count

Border allowance (inches each side)

Enter your stitch count above to see your fabric size

Frequently asked questions

14-count is the most popular Aida count. Most commercial kits, patterns, and tutorials are designed around 14-count. It gives 14 stitches per inch — visible without magnification but fine enough for detailed work.