Count Comparison Tool
Enter your pattern dimensions to compare finished sizes, materials, and time across every common fabric count. See at a glance how your project changes on 11ct through 36ct fabric.
| Fabric | Finished Size | Fabric to Buy | Strands | Needle | Thread Est. | Time vs 14ct |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aida | ||||||
11ct Aida 11 st/in | 12.7 x 12.7" 32.3 cm x 32.3 cm | 18.7 x 18.7" 47.6 cm x 47.6 cm | 3 bs: 2 | 22 | 1.07 per 1k stitches | -10% |
14ct Aida 14 st/in | 10.0 x 10.0" 25.4 cm x 25.4 cm | 16.0 x 16.0" 40.6 cm x 40.6 cm | 2 bs: 1 | 24 | 0.56 per 1k stitches | baseline |
16ct Aida 16 st/in | 8.8 x 8.8" 22.2 cm x 22.2 cm | 14.8 x 14.8" 37.5 cm x 37.5 cm | 2 bs: 1 | 24-26 | 0.49 per 1k stitches | +10% |
18ct Aida 18 st/in | 7.8 x 7.8" 19.8 cm x 19.8 cm | 13.8 x 13.8" 35.0 cm x 35.0 cm | 2 bs: 1 | 26 | 0.44 per 1k stitches | +20% |
20ct Aida 20 st/in | 7.0 x 7.0" 17.8 cm x 17.8 cm | 13.0 x 13.0" 33.0 cm x 33.0 cm | 1 bs: 1 | 26-28 | 0.20 per 1k stitches | +35% |
| Evenweave / Linen (over 2) | ||||||
28ct over 2 14 st/in | 10.0 x 10.0" 25.4 cm x 25.4 cm | 16.0 x 16.0" 40.6 cm x 40.6 cm | 2 bs: 1 | 24-26 | 0.56 per 1k stitches | +5% |
32ct over 2 16 st/in | 8.8 x 8.8" 22.2 cm x 22.2 cm | 14.8 x 14.8" 37.5 cm x 37.5 cm | 2 bs: 1 | 26 | 0.49 per 1k stitches | +15% |
36ct over 2 18 st/in | 7.8 x 7.8" 19.8 cm x 19.8 cm | 13.8 x 13.8" 35.0 cm x 35.0 cm | 1 bs: 1 | 26-28 | 0.22 per 1k stitches | +30% |
How to read this table: "Fabric to Buy" includes 3 inches of margin on each side for framing. "Thread Est." shows skeins of DMC 8m floss per 1,000 stitches of one color at the listed strand count. "Time vs 14ct" reflects the approximate overhead from working at higher counts and is not an exact measurement.
Thread formula: stitches per skein = 255 x effective count / strands. Source: Kathleen Dyer's Needlework FAQ, verified against Thread-Bare.
How to Use This Tool
- Enter your pattern dimensions — the width and height in stitches, as listed on your pattern chart.
- Toggle the unit — switch between inches and centimeters using the toggle button.
- Read the comparison table — every row shows a different fabric count with the finished size, fabric to buy, recommended strands, needle size, thread estimate, and relative stitching time.
- Compare counts — the 14ct Aida row is highlighted as the baseline. Use the "Time vs 14ct" column to see how much faster or slower other counts are.
The Formula
Each fabric count has an effective count — the number of stitches per inch you actually stitch. For Aida (stitched over 1), the effective count equals the fabric count. For evenweave or linen (stitched over 2), the effective count is half the fabric count:
Effective count = fabric count / threads stitched over
Finished size = stitch count / effective count
The "Fabric to Buy" column adds 3 inches (7.6 cm) of margin on each side for framing. Thread estimates use the Dyer formula: stitches per skein = 255 x effective count / strands, based on standard 8-meter DMC floss skeins.
Worked Example
Your pattern is 140 x 140 stitches:
- On 14ct Aida: Effective count = 14. Finished size = 140/14 = 10 x 10 inches (25.4 x 25.4 cm). Fabric to buy = 16 x 16 inches. Thread: 255 x 14 / 2 = 1,785 stitches per skein, or 0.56 skeins per 1,000 stitches.
- On 18ct Aida: Effective count = 18. Finished size = 140/18 = 7.8 x 7.8 inches (19.8 x 19.8 cm). About 39% less area. Still uses 2 strands.
- On 28ct evenweave over 2: Effective count = 14. Same finished size as 14ct Aida — 10 x 10 inches. The fabric is softer with a finer weave, but the stitches are the same size.