Aida is one of the most common types of fabric used in cross stich, especially for beginners. It has a grid of holes that make is easier to make stitches properly and to follow a pattern.
What Actually Is Aida?
Aida is a woven fabric that is used in cross stitch as the base to work off. It contains evenly-spaced holes that form a grid shape. Each stitch is usually made over one square of this grid.
The most popular producer of Aida is a German company called Zweigart, which has been in business since 1877.
Why Is Aida Good For Beginners?
Aida is a very beginner friendly fabric for cross stitch because it is easy to count and place stitches.
It is often starched, which makes it more rigid. This is useful because it reduces the need to use a frame or hoop to keep your project taut.
What Does Aida Count Mean?
Aida count is the number of squares (and therefore stitches) in each inch of cloth. So a 14-count would have space for 14 stitches per inch.
The higher the count, the more detailed your project will be. This is because the stitches will be smaller.
Which Count Is Best For Beginners?
14-count is the most common choice for beginner cross stitchers, as it provides good detail and ease of use at the same time. If you have a low stitch count, your image will be less detailed but easier to stitch. If you have a high stitch count, on the other hand, your image will be detailed but more fiddly to stitch.
You can opt for 11-count instead if you want your stitches to be slightly easier to make, without too much of a trade off in detail. A count such as 16 or 18 provides a lot more detail, but is probably too fiddly for a beginner.
Do You Have to Use Aida?
You don’t have to use Aida in cross stitch, although it’s probably the most sensible choice for beginners.
Instead of Aida, you can opt for linen, or a material called evenweave. This is softer than Aida and doesn’t have the same obvious squares. It is therefore smoother and finer looking, but it’s harder to count how many stitches you have made.
What Fabric Should Beginners Choose?
If you are a complete beginner, you are best to start with Aida to learn the ropes. Once you have the basics mastered, you might consider moving on to using evenweave or linen.