Amazing Aida, part III Counted Cross Stitch

Counted Cross Stitch

For the final part of our Aida article, we’ll talk about when aida is a good fabric choice.

The number ONE reason for using Aida cloth is personal preference! If you like it, use it.   Stitching should be enjoyable!   Stitchers have a variety of reasons for preferring aida cloth, including that it’s easier to see, it’s not as confusing, or that they like the sturdy feel.

However, there are some stitchers that prefer not to use aida. The main reason, from my experience, that people don’t want to use aida is because of fractional stitches.  The weave of aida cloth can make fractionals a little more difficult, but it can be done.  See the image below:

Fractional Stitches on Aida

In the first diagram, you will see a full “X” made on Aida cloth.

In the next one, a 1/4 stitch is shown.  Notice that the stitch goes from one “hole” to the center of the ’square’.  For aida cloth, you must use your needle to piece through the fabric at this center point to achieve this smaller stitch.

In the far right image, you see a 3/4 stitch, which is a 1/4 stitch and then a full ‘leg’ going in the opposite direction.  The smaller stitch is achieved in the same way as the 1/4 stitch.

While some stitchers feel that they ‘must’ use linens or evenweaves to achieve the same degree of detail in a pattern, that’s not always necessarily true.  Again, stitching is our hobby – we should relax and enjoy it!  With the vast amount of colors and counts avialable, combined with being widely available, aida cloth will likely remain a favorite needlework fabric for years to come.