Free Cross-Stitch Pattern Generator
Turn Any Photo into a Counted DMC Chart
Upload an image and get a stitch-by-stitch chart with DMC thread numbers, symbols, finished dimensions, and per-color skein estimates.
Drop a photo to start
or tap to upload · PNG, JPG, WebP
Free to use · No sign-up · Works in your browser
489 solid DMC colors with an editable palette
How it works
Upload Image
Portraits, pets, landscapes, text, logos — any image. Clear photos with good contrast give the best results.
Choose Fabric Count
14-count is standard. 18-count for more detail in less space. 11-count for quick, chunky projects. Dimensions update instantly.
Tune Colors & Features
15-25 colors for most designs. Enable backstitch for outlines. Dithering for photo-realistic gradients. Adjust brightness if image is dark.
Export Professional PDF
Cover: every DMC number, name, symbol, meters needed, skeins to buy. Grid: 50×50 sections with backstitch lines. Print-ready.
What Makes This Cross-Stitch Pattern Maker Different
Color matching, cleanup, stitch planning, and export tools in one browser-based workflow.
CIEDE2000 DMC Matching
CIEDE2000 measures perceived color difference more accurately than simple RGB distance. ArtPatt uses it to compare image colors with its 489-color solid DMC reference palette, while keeping every match editable.
Automatic Backstitch
Backstitch can clarify faces, text, and shapes that color fills alone do not define. Edge detection suggests adjustable outlines from the original image, which appear in the canvas preview and supported exports.
4-Level Confetti Filter
Off (raw), Light (truly isolated pixels only), Medium (1-2 neighbor threshold), Heavy (aggressive + 2 passes). The stats bar shows confetti percentage in real-time. Under 5% = pleasant to stitch. Under 2% = no isolated stitches at all.
Half & Quarter Stitches
Professional patterns use partial stitches at shape edges for smooth curves. We analyze color boundaries and classify each cell: full cross (X), three-quarter (¾), half (/), or quarter (¼). Stats show the breakdown.
Thread Calculator
Each stitch on 14-count Aida uses ~3.8cm of 2-strand floss. DMC skeins contain 8m. We calculate per color: stitch count × consumption × fragmentation overhead × 15% buffer = meters and skeins needed. The PDF legend is your shopping list.
Floyd-Steinberg Dithering
Error diffusion spreads quantization error to neighboring pixels, creating smooth gradients with fewer colors. Ideal for portraits — skin tones transition naturally instead of banding. Toggle on/off and see the difference instantly.
Cross-Stitch Pattern Maker & Generator: Complete Guide
Whether you search for a cross-stitch pattern maker or a cross-stitch pattern generator, you're looking for the same thing: a tool that turns a photo into a counted chart you can actually stitch from. A usable pattern needs more than a pixelated preview. The palette must map to thread numbers, isolated confetti stitches should be manageable, and the chart needs symbols and dimensions that remain readable when printed.
ArtPatt compares image colors with its solid DMC reference palette using CIEDE2000 perceptual color distance. This gives the matcher a better model of visible differences than raw RGB distance, especially around dark shades and low-saturation colors. Because monitors and physical floss reflect light differently, every digital swatch is still an approximation and the final palette remains editable.
Fabric count directly affects project size and time. On 14-count Aida, a 100×100 stitch pattern = 7.1×7.1 inches (18×18cm). Same pattern on 18-count = 5.6×5.6 inches. At an average speed of 100 stitches per hour, a 10,000-stitch pattern takes about 100 hours. Plan accordingly.
Automatic Backstitch for Clearer Edges
Backstitch can define eye shapes, facial features, text outlines, and boundaries that would otherwise disappear into adjacent color blocks. Automatic suggestions provide a starting layer, but you should review the result and adjust sensitivity for the source image.
Our Sobel edge detection analyzes the brightness gradient at every pixel boundary in your original image. Where the gradient exceeds your sensitivity threshold, we generate a backstitch line. The result appears as thin black lines overlaid on the color grid in both the canvas preview and the exported PDF. Backstitch typically uses 1 strand (vs 2 for regular cross-stitch), so thread consumption is lower.
Cross-Stitch Pattern Generator FAQ
Explore More Pattern Generators
Photo to Cross-Stitch Converter
Step-by-step walkthrough for turning pet photos, portraits, and landscapes into a counted chart.
Cross-Stitch Pattern Ideas
Choose the right photo, fabric count, and detail level before generating a counted chart.
Embroidery Pattern Generator
Turn any image into an embroidery pattern with DMC thread matching and stitch suggestions.
Plastic Canvas Pattern Generator
Same counted-chart idea, worked in yarn on a rigid mesh instead of floss on Aida.
Cross-Stitch Guide
Learn more about grid size, DMC colors, confetti reduction, and exporting a counted pattern.
DMC Cross Stitch Pattern Maker Guide
Why CIEDE2000 beats RGB matching for DMC colors, and how to get accurate thread numbers from any photo.
DMC Color Chart with Names and Numbers
Browse all 489 solid DMC floss colors with names, numbers, swatches, and approximate hex codes.