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I'll try to answer this without making it sound too confusing. 25 count means that there are 25 stitches per inch for that given fabric, which is an evenweave. 16 count, 14 count and so forth means that is the number of stitches per inch for that fabric.
Maggie posted a link to a nice fabric calculator in another post, and I'll put it here for you to use.
Hope this helps!

Here's the link
http://www.yarntree.com/java/xstitchcal.htm

To get right to the point of "can you use a different size fabric" yes you can use any size that you want to use. The difference is going to be the size of the finished project and the amount of thread that you will need. Have a look in the SAL's and you will see people using sizes anywhere from 18 count aida to 32 count evenweave.

Rose wrote:To get right to the point of "can you use a different size fabric" yes you can use any size that you want to use. The difference is going to be the size of the finished project and the amount of thread that you will need. Have a look in the SAL's and you will see people using sizes anywhere from 18 count aida to 32 count evenweave.

And I'd really meant to say that as well--must be a senior moment!!

Perhaps one simple way - for me anyway and I like simple things - is to divide fabrics between Aida and non-Aida. Aida comes in different stitch counts, 14, 18 etc and the higher the stitch count the smaller the finished design will be.

When it comes to non-Aida you have a wide choice of different linens, evenweaves, hardanger etc that all come in different thread counts. I deal in cm mostly and use 11, 12 or 16 threads to the cm. With linen you can either stitch two over two or one over one - that is, two strands of floss over two threads of linen, or one strand of floss over one thread of linen. For example if you stitch on the 12 threads to a cm using two over two you will have 6 stitches to the cm. If you use one-over-one you drastically reduce the size of the finished article so this is something to bear in mind if you have limited space or amount of fabric. One over one is perfect for small items like scissor fobs etc.

Then the choice of fabric, stitch and thread counts, colours and textures becomes quite exciting as to the final effect of a piece. If you crochet you probably already know that you can change the look of an article just by the choice of yarn and the size of crochet hook.

Good luck with your search and happy stitching!!

All I would add is to make sure you pick a fabric you are happy with from the start, try testing a few out if you can- as depending on what size your chart is you may be stitching this piece for some time so your fabric choice is very important! If you have any questions about fabrics just ask as it can be quite confusing if you have never kitted a project up yourself before! Do not feel pressured to use a certain fabric because 'everybody else' seems to use it - HAEDs have been stitched on everything from 14ct aida to 40ct linen!

Edited to add: if you look here in the Glossary pages and scroll down you will see that Mabel has done a write up on different types of fabric and has also stitched a design on different counts so you can see the difference in fabric count size.

Mrs Milkybar Kid wrote: if you look here in the Glossary pages and scroll down you will see that Mabel has done a write up on different types of fabric and has also stitched a design on different counts so you can see the difference in fabric count size.

Very good section on description of fabrics

JazzeyBear wrote:Thank you. Once I get onto my computer, I'll use the site given above and see what would work best for me. I'm use to the fabric that comes in the kits that I've done, so we will see what I end up using. Really depends on what I can find in my craft shops around town (Hobby Lobby and Joann's). I don't have much patients for waiting for my fabric to come in if I order it off line. I'm pretty excited to start my first HAED. I haven't decied if I want to keep it for myself or give it away...

I have found that chain craft shops- JoAnns, Hobby Lobby- don't have pieces of aida large enough for a HAED. Sometimes.. but not often. Of course it also depends on which HAED design you choose- Quick Stitches and Story Keeps would certainly fit on "store size" aida. Its worth it to call your store rather than run all over the city. They may be able to special order it, or buy it from their online site.

18 x 22.5" on 25 ct is roughly 450 x 563 stitches (18"x25ct= 450. 22.5"x25ct=562.5)

a design size stitch count of 450 x 563 on 16ct aida= 28" x 35.19"
14ct aida= 32" x 40.2"
18 ct aida= 25" x 31.3"
then add an extra 6" to leave enough for framing/ finishing (3" on either side)
You won't find a piece of aida large enough in a chain store unless you can buy it off the bolt

MaggieM1750 wrote:18 x 22.5" on 25 ct is roughly 450 x 563 stitches (18"x25ct= 450. 22.5"x25ct=562.5)

a design size stitch count of 450 x 563 on 16ct aida= 28" x 35.19"
14ct aida= 32" x 40.2"
18 ct aida= 25" x 31.3"
then add an extra 6" to leave enough for framing/ finishing (3" on either side)
You won't find a piece of aida large enough in a chain store unless you can buy it off the bolt

It took me a few minutes to figure out how you got all the numbers, but I did it and it makes sense. So off to look online for some fabric.
Anyone suggest a good website? Lol. Thanks for all the advice and help. I'm not so worried about my fabric now.

Not sure where you are living but there are lots of places to buy from. Sew and So, Polstitches, 123 Stitch, Needle in a Haystack. and many more you can do a google search and also in te General section there is a thread that gives review on internet sites.

Thanks so much for that link Karen!! That is exactly what I needed to compute the size of fabric for my project. This forum is

adriennec wrote:Thanks so much for that link Karen!! That is exactly what I needed to compute the size of fabric for my project. This forum is

Glad to help, this forum is so wonderfully full of ideas and I love it here. I can't take credit for the link, I used it from one of MaggieM's posts