Aida vs evenweave vs linen: which fabric should you choose?
The three main cross stitch fabrics explained simply: how they differ, what "over two" means, and which one to pick depending on your project and experience.
Walk into any needlework shop and you'll meet three main cross stitch fabrics: Aida, evenweave and linen. They all work, but they feel and behave differently. Here's how to choose without overthinking it.
Aida, the beginner favourite
Aida is woven so the threads group into a clear grid of distinct holes and blocks. That structure is exactly why beginners love it: the holes tell you precisely where each stitch goes, so counting is easy and stitches sit neat and square.
• Best for: beginners, kits, bold designs, and anyone who wants stitching to feel straightforward.
• Common counts: 11, 14 (the classic), 16, 18.
• Feel: stiffer, with obvious texture.
If you're just starting out, 14-count Aida is the safe, happy choice (see our beginner's guide).
Evenweave, the smooth middle ground
Evenweave has a single, uniform thread in each direction (no grouped blocks), giving a smoother surface than Aida. It's usually stitched "over two" threads, meaning each stitch spans two fabric threads rather than one hole.
• Best for: stitchers ready for a softer look, hand-dyed fabrics, and designs with fractional stitches.
• Common counts: 25, 28, 32.
• Feel: softer and more drapey than Aida, but still regular and predictable.
Linen, the heirloom look
Linen is the traditional choice and gives the most refined, heirloom finish. Its threads are slightly irregular (little slubs and thickness variations), which looks beautiful but takes some getting used to. Like evenweave, it's stitched over two.
• Best for: experienced stitchers, samplers, and pieces you want to feel special.
• Common counts: 28, 32, 36, 40.
• Feel: natural, characterful, a little less uniform.
What "over two" means for size
This trips people up, so it's worth stating plainly: because evenweave and linen are stitched over two threads, their effective stitching count is half the fabric count. So:
“28-count linen or evenweave stitches at the same size as 14-count Aida.”
That matters when you're working out how much fabric to buy. If you change fabric type, re-run the numbers with our fabric size calculator.
Quick decision guide
• Total beginner? 14-count Aida.
• Comfortable and want a smoother, finer look? 28-count evenweave.
• Chasing a classic, heirloom finish? Linen, once you're confident.
There's no single "best" fabric, only the best one for *this* project and *your* comfort level. When in doubt, Aida will never let you down, and you can graduate to evenweave and linen whenever you're ready.
