Free cross-stitch pattern maker
Turn any photo into a cross-stitch pattern
A chart you can actually stitch: real DMC or Anchor threads, a symbol for each, a bold line every 10 stitches and the skeins to buy. Free, and your photo stays on your device.
- No account to make or download
- Works on your phone
Thread matching
Every color is a thread you can buy
Colors are matched to all 489 DMC and 445 Anchor shades with CIEDE2000, the color difference formula that tracks how people see, so a sky stays a sky. DMC 310 is Anchor 403; the key tells you that for every thread.
- Tap a thread to see only its squares
- Its nearest Anchor match sits underneath
- Skeins worked out for your fabric
The chart
Symbols, numbered edges, a line every 10
The same layout as a printed pattern, with center marks to start from. Switch to Stitched to see roughly how it will look on the fabric, or Print for black and white. Lone stitches can be tidied away so you're not stopping and starting for one cross.
1,826full crosses from one skein on 14-count Aida with two strands. How it's worked out
Studio: progress
Stitch from your phone, pick up where you left off
Big pieces take months. With Studio you tap off stitches as you finish them and watch each color fill in. Your progress follows you to any device.
- Tap or drag across stitches to mark them
- Highlight one thread at a time
- Works offline and syncs when you're back
Studio: thread stash
Know what's in your thread box
Keep a stash of the skeins you own. Pick the charts you're planning and Threadhood makes one shopping list without the threads you already have. Tick a few on the list here to see it work. Then print the whole kit as a PDF to take to the frame.
See what Studio includesFree tools
For every stitcher, no account
Conversion charts and calculators built on the same thread data and skein maths as the pattern maker.
- DMC to AnchorAll 489 DMC colors with their closest Anchor thread and how close the match is.
- Anchor to DMCThe same the other way round, for Anchor patterns stitched in DMC.
- Floss calculatorHow many skeins a design needs on your fabric and strand count.
- Fabric size calculatorFinished size and how much fabric to cut, in inches and centimeters.
- DMC color chartEvery DMC stranded cotton color, searchable by number or name.
- Choosing a photoWhat makes one photo turn into a lovely chart and another into mud.
Questions
What people ask
How do I turn a picture into a cross-stitch pattern?
Choose a photo, pick how many stitches wide you want it and how many colors, and Threadhood draws the chart. Each color is matched to a real DMC or Anchor thread, and you get symbols, a grid every 10 stitches and the skeins to buy.
Is the cross-stitch pattern maker free?
Yes. Making charts, matching threads and downloading the chart are free with no account. A free account keeps 3 charts. Studio ($4.99 a month or $29 a year) adds unlimited charts, progress marking, a thread stash and a printable PDF kit.
How are thread colors matched?
Each color in the photo is compared with every thread in the DMC or Anchor range using CIEDE2000, the color difference formula that tracks how people see color. The closest thread wins. Thread colors come from published RGB tables, so always check a real shade card before buying.
What size should my cross-stitch pattern be?
On 14-count Aida, 140 stitches is 10 inches. Portraits and pets need around 100 to 150 stitches across to keep a face recognizable; simple shapes look good at 40 to 80. The pattern maker shows the finished size as you change it.
Does Threadhood upload my photos?
No. The chart is made in your browser and the photo never leaves your device. Only the finished chart is stored, and only if you save it.
Can I use it on my phone?
Yes. It's built for phones first: make the chart, zoom into it with two fingers, highlight one color at a time, and with Studio tap off stitches as you finish them. You can add it to your home screen like an app.
Your turn
Got a photo in mind?
It takes a few seconds to see it as a chart, right here on your phone.