Photo to Cross Stitch
Photo to Cross Stitch Pattern Maker
Upload a photo of your pet, your family or a favorite place, choose the size, and see your cross stitch pattern in about a minute. The preview is free; buy the full PDF chart with a DMC thread list when you love it.
A real photo and the pattern our maker made from it.
Make your pattern
Create a free account (or log in) to turn your photo into a pattern. Making and previewing it is free.
Create a free account or log inA real example: from a puppy photo to a pattern
We gave the maker the puppy photo above and chose the Medium size. About 25 seconds later it had picked the DMC colors and made the pattern. This is exactly what you get in the PDF.
- 120 x 145 stitches (Medium size)
- 8.6 x 10.4 inches (21.8 x 26.3 cm) on 14-count Aida
- 37 DMC threads, 39 skeins in total
- 8-page PDF: cover, overview, how to start, 4 chart pages, thread key
- Plus a Pattern Keeper PDF and an OXS file
- About 116 to 174 hours of stitching
How to turn a photo into a cross stitch pattern
Three simple steps, no design skills needed.
Upload your photo
Choose a clear picture: a pet, a portrait, your house or a holiday view.
Pick size and colors
Set the width in stitches and how many DMC colors to use. The preview updates so you can compare.
Download your PDF
Happy with the preview? Get the full pattern as a printable PDF, ready to stitch.
What your pattern includes
A clear chart
Every stitch shown on a grid with a symbol and color, split over printable pages with the center marked.
A DMC thread list
Each color matched to a real DMC floss number, so you can buy exactly the threads you need.
Your size, your fabric
The stitch count and finished size for your fabric, so you know how big it will be before you start.
Which photos make the best cross stitch patterns?
A cross stitch pattern turns your photo into a grid of colored squares, so some pictures work much better than others. For the best result:
- One clear subject. A single pet or face fills the grid with detail; a crowd of tiny people turns into blobs.
- Crop close. Cut away empty background so the subject fills most of the picture.
- Good, even light. Daylight photos without harsh shadows keep colors true.
- Simple background. A plain wall or soft blur behind the subject makes a cleaner pattern.
- Sharp, not tiny. Use the original photo from your phone rather than a screenshot or a thumbnail.
How big should my pattern be?
More stitches means more detail, and more stitching time. As a rough guide: 60-80 stitches wide suits a simple pet silhouette or a small gift; 100-150 stitches gives a recognizable portrait; 200 or more gives photo-like detail for experienced stitchers. On 14-count Aida, 140 stitches is 10 inches (25 cm) wide. Try our cross stitch calculator to see the finished size on any fabric.
How many colors should I use?
You do not have to decide: the pattern maker picks the colors for you and matches each one to a DMC thread. Drawings and cartoons usually get 10 to 30 colors; photos of pets and people get more, up to about 44, so the shading stays smooth without making the pattern too hard. If you would like fewer colors, choose a smaller size or a photo with a simple background.
Questions about Photo to Cross Stitch
Can I turn any photo into a cross stitch pattern?
Almost any. Clear photos with one main subject, good light and a simple background give the best patterns. Busy scenes with lots of small details are harder to read in stitches.
Is the pattern maker free?
Making and previewing your pattern is free. You pay only when you download the full PDF pattern.
What thread colors does it use?
Every color in your pattern is matched to a DMC stranded cotton number, the most widely available embroidery floss.
Do I need any experience?
No. If you are new to cross stitch, start with a smaller pattern and fewer colors, and learn the basics in our Cross Stitch School (the first two lessons are free).
How much does the PDF pattern cost?
Making and previewing your pattern is free with a free account. The full PDF pattern is $7.99, and Stitch Club members get 20% off. You also get a Pattern Keeper friendly PDF and an OXS file, and the pattern opens free in our Stitch Tracker.