Free Cross Stitch Grid PDF Generator — Printable Aida Chart | SheetOwl

Generate a printable cross stitch grid for 10-count or 14-count Aida fabric with bold every-10-lines markers. Choose stitch dimensions. Free PDF.

Cross stitch design grids are square grids where each cell represents one stitch on the fabric. The Aida fabric count — 10-count or 14-count — describes how many stitches fit per inch of fabric. On 14-count Aida, 14 stitches fill one inch, producing a finer result than 10-count, which gives 10 stitches per inch with larger, more visible stitches. When charting a design by hand on paper, you use the matching grid: 14-count grid paper for 14-count Aida, 10-count grid paper for 10-count. Bold every-10-lines markers divide the grid into 10×10-stitch blocks, which are the standard counting unit used in cross stitch and help you navigate across large designs without losing your place. SheetOwl generates grids sized from 60×60 to 100×100 stitches in either count.

How it Works

Choose the Aida count: 14ct for fine work, 10ct for bolder stitching or beginners. Set the width and height in stitches: 60×60 suits a small motif like a monogram initial, 80×80 fits a medium floral design, 100×100 covers a large sampler section. The bold every-10 markers print automatically at every tenth line in both directions, creating a counting grid that matches the standard 10-stitch block used in most commercial cross stitch patterns. Select A4 or Letter paper — A4 landscape fits 100 stitches wide comfortably. Download and print at 100% scale. Use colored pencils to shade each cell according to the thread color you plan to use, or use pencil symbols (X, O, diagonal lines) for a symbol-only chart that is easier to read in dim lighting.

Usage Scenarios

An embroiderer designing a custom monogram for a wedding gift charts the initials on a 60×60 stitch grid using 14-count Aida paper. She sketches the letters in pencil first, adjusting the curves of each letterform to work within the grid. The bold every-10 markers let her count precisely to the center of the design and verify that both initials are balanced before she transfers the chart to fabric.
A cross stitch teacher running a beginner workshop prints 60×60 stitch grids on 10-count paper for students to design their first original motif. Each student draws a simple design — a heart, a star, or a simple flower — by coloring cells with colored pencils. The large 10-count cells are easy to color in and the resulting chart is straightforward to follow on 10-count Aida, which gives beginners a forgiving working size.
An experienced stitcher planning a large 100×100 stitch Christmas sampler charts the full design across two A4 sheets taped together. She uses a symbol legend — assigning a unique pencil symbol to each of eight thread colors — rather than coloring, so the chart remains readable under her stitching lamp without fading or smearing. The bold every-10 markers let her find her place quickly when she sets the chart down between stitching sessions.

FAQ

Which grid count should I match to my Aida fabric?

Use the grid that matches your fabric: 14-count grid paper for 14-count Aida (14 stitches per inch, finer result) and 10-count grid paper for 10-count Aida (10 stitches per inch, larger, beginner-friendly stitches). Matching counts keeps your charted design the same proportions as the stitched piece.

What stitch dimensions should I choose for my design?

Pick width and height in stitches to fit your motif. 60×60 suits a small piece like a monogram initial, 80×80 fits a medium floral design, and 100×100 covers a large sampler section. On A4, landscape orientation fits 100 stitches wide most comfortably.

What are the bold lines every ten squares for?

They divide the grid into 10×10-stitch blocks, the standard counting unit in cross stitch. These markers print automatically at every tenth line in both directions, matching commercial patterns. They let you count to the center, verify symmetry, and find your place again after setting the chart down.

Should I color my chart or use symbols?

Both work. Colored pencils — one shade per thread color — give an at-a-glance picture of the finished design. Pencil symbols like X, O, and diagonal lines make a symbol-only chart that stays readable under a stitching lamp in dim light and won't smear or fade between sessions.

How do I chart a design wider than one sheet?

For a full 100×100 sampler, print across two A4 sheets and tape them together along the matching grid edge, aligning the bold every-10 markers so the blocks line up seamlessly. Print at exactly 100% scale on both sheets so the squares stay identical in size across the seam.