Cross Stitch Font Generator

How to use the cross stitch font generator

This cross stitch font generator turns typed text into a chart in one step. Letters are drawn from original pixel fonts, so every stitch lands on a whole square of fabric and nothing needs tidying afterwards.

1. Type your text. Press Enter to start a new line; up to six lines are used. Lowercase works in the Storybook and Italic fonts; the others use capitals.
2. Pick a font. Classic is the familiar 7-stitch alphabet, Small fits dates and labels, Bold reads well from across a room, and Storybook gives mixed case with descenders.
3. Adjust spacing. Letter spacing is the number of empty stitches between letters. Line spacing is the number of empty rows between lines.
4. Add a border if you like, as a solid line, a dotted line or two-color stripes.
5. Check the size. The cards under the chart show the width and height in stitches, the finished size on your fabric and the center column and row.
6. Download the PDF with symbols and a key, a PNG, or copy the floss list.

Cross stitch letters that are centered for you

Every line is centered automatically. When a line has an odd number of empty stitches left over, the extra one goes to the right, so lines never drift by more than half a stitch. Choose Left or Right if you want a ragged edge instead, for example for a recipe card or a list.

The red dashed lines on the preview show the middle of the design, and the arrows on the PDF mark the same center column and row. To place the chart, fold your fabric in half both ways, crease it, and start the first letter at the distance from the center that the chart shows. The center card tells you whether the design has a single middle stitch or a middle line between two stitches, which is the most common reason a name ends up one square off.

Fonts in this cross stitch alphabet generator

All fonts are original and drawn for stitching, not converted from computer typefaces. That keeps the letters even and makes them free to use in pieces you give away or sell.

A name in Classic needs about 6 stitches per letter including the gap. Small needs about 4, which is why it suits birth dates and initials on bookmarks. Bold is wider, so check the width before you commit to a long word.

Christmas fonts

Stitching a stocking or an ornament? The christmas cross stitch letters page has Candy Cane, Snowflake and Holly fonts, plus a check for whether the name fits your stocking cuff or a 3 to 5 inch ornament.

Sizing text for fabric count

The same chart gets smaller as the fabric count goes up. A 31-stitch name is 2.2 inches wide on 14-count Aida, 1.9 inches on 16-count and 1.7 inches on 18-count. Change the fabric in the settings and the finished size updates. For a sampler or a frame, use the size calculator to add margins and work out how much fabric to cut, and the hoop size calculator to choose a hoop that shows the whole piece.

Mixing text with a picture? Make the text here, then make the picture with the cross stitch pattern maker and use matching widths so both pieces line up on the same fabric. Plain graph paper helps if you want to sketch the layout first.

Tips for clean lettering

• Stitch letters with the same number of strands as the rest of the design; on 14-count, two strands give good coverage.
• Backstitch is not needed: the fonts are full crosses only, which keeps them easy for beginners.
• Dark letters on light fabric read best. If you use a pale thread, add a border in a darker color to frame it.
• Leave at least 3 inches of bare fabric around the text for framing, or 1 inch inside a display hoop.

Example results