More and more crafters are coming to the internet for their patterns with numerous free pattern sites cropping up. Many of these designers do not post their items for sale on any social networks. Others, like Daily Cross Stitch, are being overrun by more new designers due to the popularity of cross stitch and the ease to get your own website up and running.
Table of Contents
Best Apps For Making Cross Stitch Patterns
Best iPhone cross stitch apps:
cross stitch world app icon
Cross Stitch World (FREE) – 9.5/10
Based on 2971 reviews
Unlike others on the list, this app isn’t a tool, but is actually a game. Effectively it’s a paint by numbers affair, made to look like cross stitch, with the ability to make new patterns with your own images. Due to the recent trend of adult coloring books, the app has really hit it off, but for most cross stitchers it might just be a distraction.
However, if you suffer from any arthritis or similar conditions stopping you stitching, this is a great alternative!
x-stitch app icon
X-Stitch ($3) – 9.5/10
Based on 1911 reviews
Similar to Thread Tracker 117 this app not only tracks threads, but aida, needles, charts and other tools. It’s “need to buy” feature not only works well, but it reads your charts and patterns to give you lists of threads needed for each project too!
cross stitch world app icon
XStitch Plus ($10) – 9/10
Based on 26 reviews
A tracking app that frankly tracks everything, XStitch Plus has a massive following. Its best feature however is the ability to publish on social media from directly in the app. This works super well with its journal feature, allowing you not only to track everything about a project, but allows you to upload up to 5 images for each project.
stitchsketch app icon
StitchSketch ($8) – 9/10
Based on 799 reviews
StitchSketch is created by the maker of KG Chart. It’s a fantastic pattern creation program, which works almost as well as any desktop program. The app only allows you to import back into KG chart, however unlike apps like Cross Stitch Saga, the app has all of the advanced features the desktop version does.
magicneedle cross stitch app icon
MagicNeedle (FREE) – 9/10
Based on 799 reviews
A new entry to the world of cross stitch generators, Magic Needle is effectively a ‘poiint and click’ pattern generator, however also boasts more more advanced features that make it a little special. As the only true free cross stitch generator for iPad and iPhone is definately worth a shot, even if it isn’t as advanced as the likes of Cross Stitch Saga.
cross stitch world app icon
Cross Stitch Creator ($10) – 8/10
Based on 10 reviews
Cross Stitch Creator is a pattern making app, and whilst it works OK, the real greatness comes from its variety. It can convert an image, change it into a pattern, and then you can use the app for markup! Sadly, its not got many people trying it out just yet (its new) so its score isn’t too high.
thready cross stitch app icon
Thready ($3) – 8/10
Based on 24 reviews
A simple thread tracking app, but with a nice, clean interface. It has a whole bunch of ease-of-use additions, and we’re surprised it doesn’t rate higher.
Fabric Calculator App Icon
Fabric Calculator (FREE) – 8/10
Based on 2 reviews
There are many cross stitch fabric calculators out there, but considering this free app can do it all from your phone, its a great place to start. Not only that, but it has a cute image showing stitched area, border and framing area.
cross stitch calculator app icon
Cross Stitch Fabric Calculator (FREE) – 7/10
Based on 32 reviews
A fabric size calculator in your pocket. Sadly the app has many bugs and issues, leaving most to prefer alternative cross stitch calculators, such as our own.
thread tracker 117 app icon
Thread Tracker 117 ($1) – 5.5/10
Based on 30 reviews
For a dollar, it’s hard to say anything bad about this app, however in reality, it’s just a spreadsheet to track which DMC threads you have. The advantage and the thing that makes this app so successful is you can import list of colors needed for your next project, and the app works out which ones you need. Next time you’re in a store, pull the app out and the list is there straight away. Of all the apps on the list, this is the one I personally use the most.
They also have an app called ThreadTracker 4635 for tracking Anchor Threads.
cross stitch camera app icon
Cross Stitch Camera ($4) – 2/10
Based on 14 reviews
Cross Stitch Camera works, you guessed it, with your camera. It takes a photo (which can be from your phone’s memory) and makes a pattern based on the largest dimension you set.
Best Androids cross stitch apps:
Cross Stitch Thread Organizer app icon
Cross Stitch Saga ($18) – 10/10
Based on 2,341 reviews
Cross Stitch Saga used to be on this list a long time ago, but it was pulled down from all download sites. It turns out they were improving the app (and raising the price). However, that said, its still a great app. It allows you to import files from Cross Stitch Professional Platinum, Pattern Maker & PC Stitch (up to version 10) and allows you to mark them up. However, it doesn’t allow you to mark up pdf files, and frankly there are many, much better mark up apps out there.
Cross Stitch Paradise android app icon
Cross Stitch Paradise (FREE) – 9.5/10
Based on 1,557 reviews
Essentially a mark-up app+, with added features like stitching session tracking make it just a little bit better than the rest.
It opens all xsd files and with fantastic tracking of full stitches, half stitches, quarter stitches and backstitch, its mark-up abilities are unrivaled!
It’s added features and free price makes it a great purchase if you use .xsd files!
Cross Stitch Thread Organizer app icon
Cross Stitch Thread Organizer ($1) – 9.5/10
Based on 169 reviews
Doing exactly what it says on the tin, Cross Stitch Thread Organizer orders your threads with to-buy lists, current stock, and warns you if you’re running low on a thread and a future project needs it. There are a lot of other apps doing exactly this, however what makes this app fantastic is the constant upgrades, and a really devoted developer who can be found on reddit daily.
cross stitch world android app icon
Cross Stitch World (FREE) – 9.5/10
Based on 53,222 reviews
Unlike others on the list, this app isn’t a tool, but is actually a game. Effectively it’s a paint by numbers affair, made to look like cross stitch, with the ability to make new patterns with your own images. Due to the recent trend of adult coloring books, the app has really hit it off, but for most cross stitchers it might just be a distraction.
However, if you suffer from any arthritis or similar conditions stopping you stitching, this is a great alternative!
Thread Stash App Icon
Thread Stash (FREE) – 8.5/10
Based on 54 reviews
One of the best cross stitch thread inventories we’ve seen outside of our own, this is a dream to use. With a shopping list feature, and support for DMC, J&P Coats, Anchor, Sullivans and Weeks Dye Works you won’t be looking across multiple apps either. It also allows you to make an account, saving you the effort when you swap phones (and will soon have web support in case you don’t have your phone on you)! With a great design and coding team behind it, there’s more and more features to come.
pattern keeper android cross stitch app icon
Pattern Keeper ($10.50) – 8/10
Based on 10,000+ reviews
This app is still in beta, but don’t let that fool you. Even in this state, it’s a fantastic app that deserves to be in the hands of every cross stitcher. It’s a markup app that works with any pdf. Its real abilities shine once you’ve added the pdf though. It tracks stitched and unstitched threads, you can track the use of the parking method (the only app to do so), count how many threads are left, and it combines pages of patterns into one large pattern for you. I cannot recommend this app enough.
It initially looks like a free app, but be aware, the trial ends after 2 weeks, and it costs just over $10.
cross stitch fabric calculator app icon
Cross Stitch Fabric Calculator (FREE) – 8/10
Based on 124 reviews
A fabric size calculator in your pocket. Sadly the app has many bugs and issues, leaving most to prefer alternative cross stitch calculators, such as our own.
eCanvas for cross-stitch pro app icon
eCanvas for cross-stitch PRO ($3) – 8/10
Based on 238 reviews
A simplistic pattern creation software, eCanvas makes patterns up for you to export and stitch. Its lacking in advanced stitches and sometimes assumes you’re using a stylus instead of a finger, however it’s a well-balanced app. There is also a free version, however adverts obstruct the working area and it makes pattern creation VERY hard.
cross stitch fabric calculator app icon
StachCache (FREE) – 8/10
Based on 112 reviews
Put simply, this app is a tracker. It tracks threads, fabric, embellishments, it tracks when you started projects, finished them, what fabric they were on, what thread changes you made, what threads you still need, etc. It tracks everything. The best bit however is how easy to use it is. They’ve even added in an export feature meaning you can take the data with you whenever you want, in a nice easy-to-read text file.
Best program to convert photo to cross stitch pattern
- PC Stitch – Our Choice
2000 pre-programmed patterns
Easy to work with
Intuitive interface with easy stitching functions
File sizes are small
Color scheme is misbalanced
pc stitch logo
PC Stitch
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Verdict: PC Stitch is an excellent cross stitch pattern maker that will allow you to create a one of a kind design, using only a personal computer and a web browser. With PC Stitch, even you can make your own unique design! It lets you easily import your graphics, text or any other graphics into a simple, straightforward and easy to use workspace.
pc stitch interface
- KG Chart
With fantastic set of stitches
Simple program, not too much options to get lost
All the DMC colors are in the program
Changing the marks and colors after making the pattern
Colors are a little off
kg chart logo
KG Chart
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Verdict: The KG Chart is an excellent program for creating customized works of art. If you’re a beginner who’s trying to learn to cross stitch and want to start out with a simple program, then the KG Chart is a great choice for you to use. The fact that it’s easy to use makes it perfect for those people who don’t want to go through the same learning curve as others who are more experienced.
kg chart interface
- BlendThreads
Advanced features in the printing sections
Permits usage of CMYK values for colors
Stitch-by-stitch undo
Custom stitch editor
Red side of a spectrum is a bit misbalanced
blendthreads cross stitch pattern makers logo
BlendThreads
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Verdict: Blendthreads is one of the latest products in the cross stitching world. It was designed by two experts who have combined their knowledge and expertise with years of research to produce a product that is user friendly.
The software comes with over 45 templates for various types of cross stitch patterns, and you can easily save your favourite patterns to use again. If you want to try it out, you get to download the combines into PDF file, where you can then print it off using any printer, and follow the simple instructions that guide you through the process.
blendthreads cross stitch pattern makers interface
- DP Software Cross Stitch Pro Platinum
For realistic embroidery drawing
Automatic digitizing function
Offers an imitation of the stitched result
Hand stitching and creating of digital charts for machine
Accurate color reproduction
Relatively high price
dp software cross stitch pro platinum cross stitch pattern makers logo
DP Software Cross Stitch Pro Platinum
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Verdict: Some of the most popular, professional looking digital patterns can be created with DP Software Cross Stitch Pro Platinum. The plugin enables one to create heaps of different textures and stitches with just a few clicks of the mouse. It is also available in a free trial version.
dp software cross stitch pro platinum cross stitch pattern makers interface
- StitchCraft
Great option for pro tapestry masters
Showing pattern as color blocks as a completed piece
Basic functionality is included
Image to chart conversion is enabled
Its price is relatively high
stitchcraft cross stitch pattern makers logo
StitchCraft
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Verdict: If you are looking for a quality cross stitch pattern maker then StitchCraft may be just what you have been looking for. It’s free to sign up, provides quality support and many of their patterns are available in all stitch types.
stitchcraft cross stitch pattern makers interface
- EasyGrapher Home
For converting scanned pictures
Automatic backups
It is available for business and personal
Notifications if backups fail
Weak functionality
easygrapher home cross stitch pattern makers logo
EasyGrapher Home
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Verdict: The EasyGrapher Home plugin enables you to create cross stitch patterns from your photographs or other graphics. The plugin works with any popular photo editing software, such as Photoshop or InDesign. The software also provides the facility of creating professional looking patterns from handwritten text.
Conclusion
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