Aida count ?

habbyworld · Post by **habbyworld** » Tue Mar 04, 2008 10:11 am

When it says 15 count, what does that actually mean, and what i really need to know, what is the smallest count and what is the largest count. I got my cross stitch today, it is great, also huge, but it has bigger than a 15 count. I want smaller than a 15 count, that much i do know. Thank you for any help.

Serinde · Post by **Serinde** » Tue Mar 04, 2008 12:12 pm

It's really simple.

15 ct means there are 15 threads (stitches) to the inch. (Which is an unusual stitch count: are you sure it isn't 14?) The higher the count the more stitches per inch, and so the finer the fabric, and the smaller the finished piece. It is possible to get 7 and 11 ct, but those are usually used for very particular things (like huck weaving) or for teaching children. (Why this should be has always perplexed me; children have such good eyesight! I suppose it has to do with fine motor coordination.)

14ct, BTW, is very, very common. I wouldn't be surprised in the least if your piece is on this sort of fabric.

habbyworld · Post by **habbyworld** » Tue Mar 04, 2008 12:28 pm

Well on that note, my first cross stitch that i have just done is a 28 count on cloth fabric, not aida fabric. Ant the one i have just bought is 11 count. I am looking more for the 28 count that i have just done, but these seam hard to find, even on ebay. I prefer quality and very fine stitches, that way it help my work look alot better and the finished product look nicer when it`s finished.

hada56 · Post by **hada56** » Tue Mar 04, 2008 2:39 pm

there are smaller counts in aida, like 22, which is used for Hardanger embroidery, but can also be used for cross stitching. Then, you can also get evenweave, or linen, which both have smaller counts.
In aida fabric, you count the holes, to the inch, for example 14 ct, which means you have 14 holes to the inch. The higher the count, the more holes to the inch, the smaller the finished project.
On evenweave and linen, you count the threads to the inch, and usually you stitch over 2 threads, although for very detailed work, you can stitch over one thread.
HTH!

Rose · Post by **Rose** » Tue Mar 04, 2008 3:34 pm

I believe that you are mixing aida count and evenweave/linen count, just as Hada has said.

Aida count usually goes from 11,14,16,18,22,24 and as has been said that is the number of stitches that you will have per inch. There are others such as 7,26 and 28 but they are harder to find as few work on those for just regular cross stitching.

Eavenweave comes in many more sizes 22,28,32,36 and so on this indicates the number of threads that are per inch, as has been said. These fabrics can be worked over one thread or more popularly over two threads. If worked over 2 then the size of the finished pattern will equal out to a conparable aida count 22=11, 28=14 and so on. There are sites that will help you calculate the difference and we have links to a few of them in the Internet Sites thread.

If you want to work on aida for this project then you can buy aida on many sites or if you have a Micheal's, Hobby Lobby, or other craft store in your area they should have aida cloth there. You can also look up your LNS (local needle shop) if there is one and they can help you with the counts and the fabric you can chose from. Just remember the larger the count (28 ct) the smaller the finished size of the pattern. So if the pattern calls for a 14ct and the finished size is 10X14 then a 28ct will be 5X7.

Hope we have all helped explain the counts better.

habbyworld · Post by **habbyworld** » Tue Mar 04, 2008 9:01 pm

wow, that is a good idea. So to do the 11 count that i just bought, all i have to do is find a smaller aida, now why didn`t i think of that. Thanks for the idea, i think i`ll do that. Now all i have to do is find the aida and skeins.

( edit that, i got loads of skeins.... all i need is the fabric )

habbyworld · Post by **habbyworld** » Wed Mar 05, 2008 7:30 pm

The size of 1 cross stitch is 1 to 2mm in size. What would you recommend for that ? I done want anything too big ? I think 2mm would be ok. i dont want anything bigger than that, i like the finer stitches.

habbyworld · Post by **habbyworld** » Mon Mar 17, 2008 5:46 pm

ok, i see no one wants to recommend anything, it`s ok, i have sorted out what i need, thanks for all of your help, you have all be very helpful.

Serinde · Post by **Serinde** » Tue Mar 18, 2008 10:44 am

Sorry! I guess everyone has been very distracted.

If you like finer stitches (and can see them!) then that's obviously the way to go. I don't think about cross-stitches in terms of mm size, I must confess; only in relation to the counts of the fabric. Even if you reduce the 11ct to a more typical 14ct or 16ct, the result will appear finer and, of course, the piece itself will be smaller.

Do an experiment with some scraps of material and see which result you like the best.

Rose · Post by **Rose** » Tue Mar 18, 2008 2:09 pm

Well I think we all may have been a bit confused as to what it was you were asking us. We all think in terms of fabric count and not mm so I think we may have been wondering what to say and did not want to steer you wrong.

I think serinde is of the right mind and you should do a few stitches on different count so as to see what is the one you feel is the proper size.

Mabel Figworthy · Post by **Mabel Figworthy** » Wed Mar 19, 2008 11:44 am

Rose wrote:Aida count usually goes from 11,14,16,18,22,24

I've only just realised what you are saying here: do you really mean to say there is such a thing as 24ct aida?

I have enough trouble finding the 22ct stuff, it usually turns out to be Hardanger, not aida at all, and even the nice stiff aida-y sort of fabric I've got a piece of actually has the texture of hardanger (the blocks are made up of two threads not four, if that makes sense) though it has the stiffness of aida.

I do like to use aida for cards (you can make frayed patches out of them and just stick them to the front of a card), and I'd welcome a higher count than my usual 18.

Rose · Post by **Rose** » Wed Mar 19, 2008 3:45 pm

Yes it is very very hard to find and unless they have discontinued it in the last 3 years I did once work a smaller 8X10 finished and framed piece. (Back when I did not get pictures of every thing) I hated it took way to long and at that time I did not have my ott light so working at night was out of the question.

habbyworld · Post by **habbyworld** » Sun Mar 23, 2008 9:05 pm

you`ve certainly got that right, they are well hard to get hold of. I have decided to go for a 18ct aida fabric or a 22ct cloth fabric. I have 11ct that is 36" x 19". So if i get a 18ct it needs to convert down....let me check......396 stitches by 209 stitches for 11ct. 18ct works out at 25" x 14.
So the 18ct aida fabric i need is black 25" x 14" if i have worked it out right. Does anyone know where i can get some ?

Rose · Post by **Rose** » Sun Mar 23, 2008 9:45 pm

Check in the wanted section and look at the thread that says Internet Sites it has links to many sites that sell cloth and other supplies. Sew and So is a good site for england I have been told. But there are many others and you night want to check out the different prices.

Mabel Figworthy · Post by **Mabel Figworthy** » Sun Mar 23, 2008 9:47 pm

habbyworld wrote:So the 18ct aida fabric i need is black 25" x 14" if i have worked it out right. Does anyone know where i can get some ?

Tandem Cottage do black 18ct aida at Â£20 per metre, 130cm wide, or you can buy it per square inch.
Sew and So's black 18ct is Â£15.60 per metre at 110cm wide. You can't buy per square inch, but they do do fat quarters, which I think work out cheaper that Tandem (haven't actually calculated it though...)

habbyworld · Post by **habbyworld** » Sun Mar 23, 2008 9:57 pm

Thanks, I`ll have a look.