Turn any image into a cross-stitch pattern

How it works

• Pick a picture. A photo, a drawing or a logo. Drop it in or choose a file.
• Set the size and colours. Choose how many stitches wide and tall the pattern is, and how many colours it may use, up to 40.
• Choose a thread palette. Match to Heddle's 30-colour house palette or to the full DMC catalogue. Turn on dither for more detail at a low colour count.
• Place it. The result is a normal pattern you can drop into a sampler, edit stitch by stitch and export.

Your image stays on your device

The conversion runs in your browser. Your original picture is never uploaded; only the finished pattern is kept, and only if you choose to save it.

Getting a good result

• Simple beats busy. Bold shapes and clear contrast convert far better than a crowded photo.
• Go small first. Fewer stitches and fewer colours make a pattern that is quicker to stitch. Add detail only where it earns its place.
• Crop in tight. Cut out background you do not need before you convert, so the stitches go on the subject.

FAQ

Is it free?

Yes. You can convert an image without an account. Sign up when you want to keep your patterns.

Can I use any image?

Only images you have the right to use: your own, or ones you have permission for. We can't make any promise about images you convert yourself.

Will the pattern match my photo exactly?

No. A pattern has far fewer pixels and colours than a photo, so it is an interpretation. Adjust the size, colour count and dither until it looks right, then tidy it by hand in the editor.

Does it give me a thread list?

Yes. Every colour in the pattern is matched to a thread, and the floss list stays in step as you edit.