How To Make A Cross Stitch Pattern From A Photo In Photoshop? All Method Guide

You can bring any art to life with cross stitch. That’s what makes it one of my favorite stitches. When I first started, pattern-making was a real headache. I had all these beautiful ideas swirling in my head.

But when it came to transferring them onto fabric… I was stuck.

If you’ve ever sat there, staring at a blank piece of fabric, wondering how to make a cross stitch pattern. Trust me, you’re not alone. I’ve been there too.

The truth is, there are different ways to create a pattern, and over time, I’ve tried quite a few. These days, my favourite method is simple,

How To Make A Cross Stitch Pattern With Graph Paper?

Before going to all the digital and tool methods, let’s teach the manual with a graph and a pencil. So,

To make a cross stitching pattern, follow the 4 steps,

I grab a font pattern & need some graph paper. I usually use a PDF copy from Google. But honestly, you can find graph paper pretty easily, in stationery shops, or even just by downloading a free PDF online and printing it yourself.

So, for me, I know that 14 squares equal one inch. That way, once I’ve written out my design and laid it out on the graph. I can quickly determine exactly how big my finished piece will be and what size fabric I’ll need. Makes life so much easier!

Now comes the fun: deciding what text or phrase you’re stitching. If drawing directly, use your alphabet chart and copy each letter, square by square, onto your graph paper.

Place your words on the graph in different alignments: centered, left, right, staggered. Try spacing them out by moving them closer or farther apart. Don’t worry about perfection yet. Just see what flows visually.

Okay, now comes the part where a tiny bit of math sneaks in (don’t worry, I promise it’s painless).

1. 84 ÷ 14 = 6 inches wide
2. 56 ÷ 14 = 4 inches tall

Now, here’s the trick most beginners forget (and I learned the hard way),

Spacing makes or breaks readability. Here’s my go-to formula:

Once happy with the draft. If using paper words, glue them down lightly. If sketching, trace your letters neatly with a pencil (then ink if you want it permanent).

Add row/column numbers every 10 squares on the grid. This makes counting while stitching so much easier. Mark the center point with a small crosshair. Now your chart looks “official,” like one from a magazine.

To turn a photo into a cross-stitch pattern, you can use a generator such as Pixel-Stitch, StitchFiddle, or Pic2Pat. These tools enable you to adjust details such as stitch size, color count, and fabric type to match your project. Here is how you can do it,

1. Ensure it’s the correct file type and not too large.
2. Resize it to around 800 pixels wide.
3. Crop and center it (square dimensions usually work best).
4. Remove unwanted or busy backgrounds (so you only stitch the subject, the dog, not the garden).
5. Upload the photo file (in a supported format).
6. Select fabric count and project size (or let the tool choose for you).
7. Set the maximum number of floss colors you want to use.
8. The tool automatically maps to the closest DMC thread colors.
9. The photo is now on the design canvas.
10. Switch between different views (color blocks or stitches).
11. Tweak as needed
12. Make sure the pattern is centered.
13. Export the pattern

That’s it, you are done. Those app will help you make counted cross stitch pattern too.

Excel can be used as a DIY cross-stitch pattern maker! Here’s how you can set it up:

1. 3. Add Grid Lines Highlight the area where your design will go, click “Borders,” choose “All Borders.” This gives you a neat stitch grid.
2. 4. Fill in Your Design Click a cell, use the “Fill Color” tool, and pick your thread color. Each colored cell = one cross-stitch.
3. 5. Make a Key On the side, create a simple chart with either symbols or color swatches. Link each one to the thread color (like DMC codes) so you or anyone else knows what to stitch.
4. 6. Add Outlines (Optional) Want to include backstitch details? Use the “Borders” tool to draw outlines right on the design.
5. 7. Save Your Pattern Save your work as an Excel file for editing later, or export it as a PDF if you want to print or share it.

Now the pattern is ready to come alive.

Now you must be wondering, ‘I got my pattern, but how do I stitch on it?’ I know, and it’s not that hard. Here is how I handle it,

4. Start stitching: make diagonal stitches () across, then return (/) to complete the X.
5. Follow the graph square by square, color by color.
6. Secure floss by tucking under 3–4 stitches on the back (no knots).

Issues While Making Cross-Stitch Pattern

I told you the process above, but don’t assume it will go smoothly. You will surely face some issues. The most common complaint i come across is pattern size. Some say it got bigger, some say it got smaller.

So here is how you can fix it,

If your original cross-stitch pattern feels too small, there are several ways to scale it up to fill more space or accommodate a larger project. You don’t have to redraw everything from scratch. Sometimes, a few tweaks are all you need.

3. Redraw on larger graph squares so that each square represents a greater number of stitches.
4. Combine methods to create a larger design without compromising detail.

See, it’s easy to increase your pattern size.

If your pattern feels too big for your project, shrinking it is easier than you might think. You can do it digitally or manually, and sometimes a few tweaks make a huge difference.

Always measure your fabric before stitching. Shrinking a design too much without adjusting the fabric size can lead to stitching off-center or running out of space.

Frequently Asked Questions

Warp up

That’s how to make a cross stitch pattern. Which is your favorite so far? Comment below.