Turn a photo into a cross-stitch pattern

Stitch Fiddle

Online chart maker for knitting, crochet and cross stitch

Stitch Fiddle is a browser-based chart editor for knitters, crocheters and cross stitchers. You draw on a grid of stitches, pick colours and symbols, and can start a chart from a photo instead of a blank grid. It suits colourwork such as Fair Isle, intarsia, tapestry crochet, C2C blankets and cross-stitch designs. The…

• Charts for knitting, crochet, cross stitch and more
• Start a chart from an uploaded image
• Colour and symbol palettes
• Print or save charts

FlossCross

Browser-based cross-stitch pattern designer

FlossCross is an online cross-stitch designer that runs in the browser. You can draw a chart, import an image to start from, and export the pattern to print or stitch from. It is a convenient option for Chromebook, tablet and Mac users who do not want to install desktop software.

• Online cross-stitch charting
• Image import
• Pattern export

MyPhotoStitch

Desktop software for turning photos into cross-stitch patterns

MyPhotoStitch is a desktop program focused on converting photos into cross-stitch charts, with control over size, colours and thread brand. It is a paid alternative to free web converters when you want more control over the result.

• Photo conversion settings
• Thread brand colours
• Printable charts

PCStitch

Windows software for designing cross-stitch patterns

PCStitch is cross-stitch design software for Windows. It lets you chart designs stitch by stitch, convert images to patterns, work with thread brand palettes and print charts with keys and floss lists. It has been around for many years and is a common choice for people who design and sell cross-stitch charts.

• Stitch-by-stitch charting
• Image to pattern conversion
• Thread brand palettes
• Printed charts with keys and floss lists

Pic2Pat

Free online photo to cross-stitch pattern converter

Pic2Pat turns an uploaded photo into a cross-stitch pattern. You choose the pattern size and number of colours, and it generates a printable chart with a floss list. It is a quick way to test whether a photo will work as a cross-stitch before you buy software.

• Photo upload
• Choose size and number of colours
• Printable chart with floss list

Pixel-Stitch

Convert images into cross-stitch patterns in the browser

Pixel-Stitch converts an image into a cross-stitch pattern online. You set the size and colour count, and it produces a chart you can print. Like other free converters it works best with simple, high-contrast images.

• Image to cross-stitch chart
• Size and colour settings
• Printable output

Pixilart

Free pixel art editor that crafters use to plan grid designs

Pixilart is a free online pixel art editor and community. It is not a craft tool as such, but crocheters, cross stitchers and knitters use pixel grids to plan C2C blankets, tapestry crochet, colourwork and perler-style motifs. Each pixel maps to one stitch, so you can count rows and colours straight from the drawing.

• Pixel grid drawing
• Colour palettes
• Export images

WinStitch & MacStitch

Cross-stitch design software for Windows and Mac

Ursa Software makes WinStitch for Windows and MacStitch for macOS, two editions of the same cross-stitch design program. You can draw charts, import photos, choose thread brands and print patterns with symbol keys. It is one of the few dedicated cross-stitch programs that runs natively on a Mac.

• Chart editor with backstitch and fractional stitches
• Photo import
• Thread brand palettes
• Pattern printing with keys