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Have you ever looked at a beautiful photo and thought, "I'd love to turn this into a cross stitch pattern"? Whether it's a cherished family portrait, a stunning sunset, or your beloved pet's adorable little face, creating custom cross stitch patterns from photos is a great way to personalise your projects.
If you've been cross stitching for a while and are looking for ways to build on your skills, transforming your favourite photos into unique cross stitch designs is a brilliant way to challenge yourself whilst creating something truly meaningful.
In this post, we'll walk you through the entire process, from choosing the right photograph to creating your very own custom pattern.
Custom patterns offer something that even the most beautiful ready-made designs can't provide, they're uniquely yours. Whether you want to commemorate a special moment, create a personalised gift, or just want to challenge yourself with a new project, custom patterns allow you to stitch something that has genuine personal meaning.
Not all photos work equally well for cross stitch patterns, so it’s important to make sure you choose the right photo to work with. Here are a few of our top tips to help you make the best choice:
Photos with clear subjects and minimal background clutter translate much better into cross stitch than busy, complex images. Think portraits with plain backgrounds, landscapes with distinct features, or close-up shots of flowers or animals.
Images with clear light and dark areas will create more defined patterns. Photos that are too washed out or too dark throughout won't give you the contrast needed for an effective cross stitch design.
Remember that each pixel in your photo will roughly translate to one cross stitch square. A highly detailed image might need to be quite large to capture all the detail, which means a bigger project. If this is your first attempt, consider starting with something that would work well as a smaller piece.
Photos with too many similar shades can be tricky to work with, especially when you're starting out. Images with distinct colour areas tend to work better for beginners.
There are a few ways to convert photographs into cross stitch patterns, ranging from free online tools to professional software. Here are some popular options:
Created by Sally Wilson, the founder of Caterpillar Cross Stitch and Caterpillar Crochet, Love it Stitch it is an easy-to-use design tool and exclusive cross stitch marketplace. It gives you the freedom to create your own custom patterns, sell and shop all in one place.
Perfect for beginners who want to try creating a pattern, these tools typically allow you to upload an image, choose your preferred size and number of colours, and download a basic pattern. While they might not offer all the bells and whistles of professional software, they're brilliant for getting started and gaining some valuable practice.
There are lots of other programmes available which often allow you to adjust colours, edit individual stitches, and create more polished patterns.
These have made creating patterns more accessible than ever. Many apps allow you to snap a photo and convert it into a pattern right on your phone, which is perfect for those spontaneous moments when inspiration strikes.
Regardless of which tool you choose, the basic process remains similar:
Most tools will ask you to specify the dimensions for your finished piece. Consider how large you want your final cross stitch pattern to be. For example, a 100x100 stitch pattern will create a substantially larger piece than a 50x50 pattern.
You'll need to decide how many different thread colours you want to use. Fewer colours create a more simplified, stylised version of your photo, while more colours capture finer details but can make the project more complex.
Most softwares will allow you to tweak the pattern after the initial conversion. You might want to adjust certain colours, simplify areas that look too busy, or emphasise important details.
Once you're happy with the preview, the software will create a printable pattern complete with colour codes and symbols.
One of the trickiest parts of creating custom patterns is matching the colours in your digital pattern to actual embroidery threads. Most pattern software uses DMC thread colours as a standard, but you'll want to double-check these to make sure they match.
Consider visiting your local craft shop with your pattern to compare the suggested colours with the actual threads. Sometimes what looks perfect on screen doesn't quite match in real life, and you might want to make adjustments.
Don't be afraid to simplify the colour palette if the suggested thread list seems overwhelming. Sometimes reducing the number of colours can actually improve the overall look of the finished piece, making it more striking and cohesive.
Before you start stitching, take time to properly prepare your pattern. Print it out clearly, ensuring all symbols are readable. If you're working with a large pattern, consider printing it in sections or having it printed on larger paper.
Mark your pattern with a highlighter as you complete sections. This tried-and-tested method helps prevent mistakes and keeps you motivated as you see your progress. You might also want to make notes about thread substitutions or any adjustments you've made to the original pattern.
Working from a custom pattern isn't dramatically different from working with cross stitch patterns you’ve bought, but here are a few useful tips before you start:
This helps establish the main structure of your image before adding lighter details. It's the same principle you'd use when working with any detailed pattern included in our cross stitch kits.
Custom patterns often have more frequent colour changes than commercial patterns, so patience is key and it’s important to take your time and not rush.
Because you're working from a photograph, it's helpful to step back from your work periodically to see how it's coming together. The overall effect might not be apparent until you've completed larger sections.
Even experienced cross stitchers can run into challenges when working with custom patterns. Here are some of the common issues that might come up, and how to resolve them:
If you notice this, then consider simplifying your palette. Sometimes fewer, more distinct colours create a clearer image than trying to capture every subtle shade.
You might need to work at a larger scale. Fine details in photos often don't translate well to very small cross stitch patterns.
The best way to tackle this issue is to break the pattern down into smaller sections. Treat each area as a mini-project within the larger piece.
Once you're comfortable with basic pattern creation, you can explore more advanced techniques:
Using multiple strands of different coloured threads can create more nuanced colour transitions, particularly useful for portraits or landscapes.
Techniques like French knots can enhance certain details in your custom pattern. These can add dimension and interest to your work.
Using a couple of techniques such as incorporating some backstitch outlining can help define important features in your custom pattern.
Once you've created your first custom pattern, you'll likely want to try another. Here are some ways to make the most of this new skill:
Consider creating a series of related patterns; perhaps different views of the same subject or variations of a theme. This approach can create a cohesive collection for your home or make wonderful gifts for family members.
Don't forget to document your process. Take photos of your work-in-progress and keep notes about what worked well and what you'd do differently next time. This information will be invaluable for future projects.
Creating custom cross stitch patterns from photographs opens up a whole new world of possibilities for your stitching. While it might seem daunting at first, with the right approach and a bit of practice, you'll be creating beautiful, personalised pieces that capture your most treasured memories.
Remember, like any new skill, it takes time to master. Don't be discouraged if your first attempt isn't perfect. Even experienced cross stitchers continue learning and improving with each project. The joy is in the process as much as the finished result.
Whether you're working on a custom pattern or one of our carefully designed kits, the principles of good cross stitching remain the same: patience, attention to detail, and most importantly, enjoyment of the process.
Ready to start your next project? Explore our collection of cross stitch kits for inspiration, or dive straight into creating your own custom masterpiece.
Happy stitching.
In this post, we're going to look at the benefits of a cross stitch subscription to help you decide if it’s right for you. Whether you're just starting as a cross stitch beginner or you've been at it for years, a subscription box can add that extra spark of excitement.
Whether you've just picked up your first beginner cross stitch kit or you're a few projects in and still feeling confused by some of the terminology, this guide will help you understand the essential cross stitch terms and acronyms that crop up time and time again.
Here we share 5 simple cross stitches for beginners to start with which will help you gain valuable experience and also build your confidence, while allowing you to create beautiful designs that you can be proud of.
