Expert: Luna - 4/2/2008

Question
I love to cross-stitch on linen vs. aida cloth; but I'm never sure how to convert from aida to linen? Is it true that you just double the number. ie. if it states pattern on 18 aida then it should be 36 ct. for the linen to keep the same size. What is your favorite fabric to work on?
Thanks

Answer
Hi Maggie,

Yes, it is true that you can just double the number of Aida cloth to come up with the number count for linen. Sometimes the numbers may be off, in those cases just use the linen cloth that comes closest to the number you have.

I have worked on many different fabrics, (it has given me a good excuse to buy different size needles). I even did a simple cross stitch flower motif on a suede pouch once. But I am a true lover of Aida. It's what I first learned to cross stitch on and it is what I keep coming back to time and time again.

When I want to challenge myself, I find scrap fabrics at my local thrift store and use them to practice on. I've learned that almost any fabric can be cross stitched on. I use waste canvas on fabrics to make them instantly cross stitch-able. The waste fabric creates a grid for me to follow and when I'm all finished with the project, I just pull out the strands of the waste fabric and all that's left is a beautiful design.

I hope this helps.