Photo to cross-stitch pattern
Choose a photo, pick a size and how many colors, then download a printable chart with a DMC thread list. Free, and your photo stays on your device.
Making your pattern…
Download your pattern
The PDF has a cover page with your thread list, then the chart split into pages of 60 stitches across with numbered grid lines.
Thread list
You'll need about – skeins in total (an estimate for 2 strands; buy an extra skein of your main colors). On-screen colors are approximate, so check against real floss or a printed DMC card.
| Symbol | Color | DMC | Name | Stitches | Skeins |
|---|
How to get a good pattern from a photo
- Crop tight. Fill the frame with your subject. Busy backgrounds use up colors and stitches.
- Pick a photo with good contrast and even light. Soft, dark or blurry photos turn muddy.
- Size it for the detail you want. A pet or face needs 120–200 stitches across; a simple shape or logo works at 50–80.
- Start with 15–25 colors, then go up only if you lose important detail. Each extra color means more thread changes.
- Leave "Tidy up stray single stitches" on unless you want very fine shading. Lone stitches (often called confetti) are slow to stitch.
New to cross-stitch? Start with how to cross-stitch, then how to read your chart. For size and fabric, see the Aida count guide and the size calculator.
Questions
Is it really free?
Yes. There's no sign-up and no watermark. The site is paid for by ads.
Do you upload my photo?
No. The pattern is made inside your web browser. Your photo isn't sent to us or stored anywhere.
Can I sell patterns I make here?
Patterns made from your own photos are yours. Don't use photos, characters or artwork you don't have the rights to.
Why don't the colors match my screen exactly?
Screens show thread colors differently, and DMC floss has a sheen a screen can't copy. The DMC numbers are what matter: match them at the shop or with a DMC color chart.