Aida vs Evenweave vs Linen

Aida is woven in blocks with clear holes and is stitched over one block, which makes it the easiest to count. Evenweave and linen are woven from single threads and are usually stitched over two, which gives a smoother finish and easier fractional stitches. Linen is made from flax and has natural slubs; evenweave is a uniform cotton blend.

Feature	Aida	Evenweave	Linen
Weave	Threads grouped into blocks with clear holes	Single, uniform threads	Single threads of flax with natural slubs
Fibre	Usually cotton	Cotton blends	Linen (flax)
Counts in our calculators	11, 14, 16, 18, 20	25, 27, 28, 32, 36	25, 28, 32, 36, 40
Usually stitched	Over one block	Over two threads	Over two threads
Fractional stitches	Possible, but need piercing a block	Easy: there is a hole in the middle	Easy: there is a hole in the middle
Look of the finished piece	Visible grid of blocks	Smooth and even	Smooth, with a slightly irregular texture
Good for	Beginners, kids, bold designs	Detailed charts, a softer finish	Heirloom pieces, samplers

What is Aida cloth?

Aida is a cross stitch fabric woven with threads grouped into small square blocks, leaving a clear hole at each corner. Each cross covers one block, and the count is the number of blocks per inch, so 14-count Aida takes 14 stitches per inch. The visible grid makes it the easiest fabric to count, which is why most beginner kits use it.

What is evenweave fabric?

Evenweave is a fabric with the same number of single threads per inch in both directions. Cross stitch on evenweave is usually worked over two threads, so 28-count evenweave gives 14 stitches per inch. Willow Fabrics describes common evenweaves such as Lugana, usually sold in 25 count, and Jobelan, usually sold in 28 count, as cotton blends that are softer and drape more than Aida.

What is linen for cross stitch?

Linen is an evenweave made from flax. It is also stitched over two threads, but its threads vary slightly in thickness, which gives a textured, traditional look. Well-known linens include Cashel at 28 count and Belfast at 32 count, according to Stitched Modern and Herrschners.

Which fabric should you choose?

First project: 14-count Aida. The holes are easy to see and two strands cover it well.
Charts with many fractional stitches: evenweave over two, because each block of four threads has a hole in the middle.
Samplers and heirloom pieces: linen, for its texture and long tradition.
Moving from Aida: 28-count evenweave over two keeps the same size as 14-count Aida, so you can switch without changing the frame.

To see how a chart’s size changes on each fabric, use the fabric count converter; the fabric count chart lists stitches per inch, strands and needles for every count.

Is evenweave harder than Aida?

Yes, a little, at first. You count single threads instead of blocks, and over two you must keep every stitch on the same two-thread grid. Most stitchers find it easy after the first few rows. The over one vs over two guide explains the counting.

Can you use an Aida pattern on linen?

Yes. Patterns are written in stitches, not for a fabric. Stitch it over two on a linen count twice the Aida count to keep the same size, for example 28-count linen for a 14-count Aida pattern.

Is linen the same as evenweave?

Linen is one kind of evenweave. The term evenweave in cross stitch usually means the uniform cotton-blend fabrics, while linen means fabric woven from flax.

Sources: Willow Fabrics, what is evenweave fabric: Jobelan, Lugana and Murano compared; Stitched Modern, how to choose fabric for cross stitch; Herrschners, cross stitch fabrics 101. Every formula and default is explained on the methodology page.

Published by Cross Stitch Calculator; maintained by Fahad Shoaib. Method version 1.1. Last updated November 14, 2026. Found a wrong number? Tell us.