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Cross stitch from photo

Cross stitch from photo in seconds: choose a picture of your pet, your family or a favorite place and get a pattern you can stitch.

Take a picture or pick one from your library. Or drop a photo here. Your photo stays on this device.

Or try a sample

Photos turned into patterns

Each pattern uses the default settings, so this is what you get before any editing.
  • Black Labrador
    Photo
    Black Labrador as a cross stitch pattern
    Pattern

    Black Labrador · 100 × 80 stitches · 16 DMC colors · default settings

  • Portrait
    Photo
    Portrait as a cross stitch pattern
    Pattern

    Portrait · 110 × 73 stitches · 34 DMC colors · default settings

  • Lake Louise
    Photo
    Lake Louise as a cross stitch pattern
    Pattern

    Lake Louise · 150 × 100 stitches · 34 DMC colors · default settings

Choosing the photo

The photo matters more than any setting. These tips help for the most common subjects.

  • Pets

    Crop close to the face and keep the eyes sharp. Fur needs stitches more than colors: try Large before Detailed.

  • Portraits

    Use soft, even light from the front. A strong shadow across a face turns into a band of extra colors.

  • Weddings and groups

    Crop to the faces that matter. Small faces need a large pattern, about 150 stitches or more across.

  • Landscapes

    Pick a photo with a clear horizon and a few big shapes. Sky and water turn into smooth color steps.

How many colors to use

More colors keep soft shading; fewer colors are quicker to stitch and cost less floss.
DetailColorsGood for
Simple20Bold subjects, first projects
Balanced35Most photos
Detailed50Faces, fur and soft light

Questions

What kind of photo works best?

A sharp photo with one clear subject, even light and a plain background. Crop away everything that is not the subject before you choose a size.

Can I use a photo straight from my iPhone?

Yes. Tap "Choose a photo" and pick one from your library, or take a new one with the camera.

How many colors should a photo pattern have?

Balanced (35 colors) suits most photos. Simple (20) is quicker to stitch and good for bold subjects. Detailed (50) keeps soft shading in faces and fur.

Why are there single stitches scattered around?

Photos have noise and fine texture. The converter removes most lone stitches; under More options you can set this from Off to Strong.

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