How to make a needlepoint pattern from a photo
- Choose a photo and crop it close to the subject. Pets, houses and simple portraits work best.
- Choose the canvas mesh and the width in stitches; the tool shows the finished size and the canvas to buy.
- Choose DMC thread numbers (or any colours) and the number of colours. 10–20 colours suit most photos.
- Download the PDF chart with symbols, bold lines every 10 stitches and the colour key with stitch counts and areas.
Finished size by canvas mesh
| Stitches across | 10 mesh | 13 mesh | 18 mesh |
|---|---|---|---|
| 50 | 12.7 cm (5 in) | 9.8 cm (3.8 in) | 7.1 cm (2.8 in) |
| 100 | 25.4 cm (10 in) | 19.5 cm (7.7 in) | 14.1 cm (5.6 in) |
| 150 | 38.1 cm (15 in) | 29.3 cm (11.5 in) | 21.2 cm (8.3 in) |
A 14 × 14 in pillow front on 13-mesh canvas is about 180 × 180 stitches. Add 2 in (5 cm) of bare canvas on every side for blocking and finishing.
Threads
- 13–14 mesh: DMC pearl cotton no. 5, or tapestry wool such as DMC Tapestry Wool or Appleton crewel (2–3 strands).
- 18 mesh: DMC pearl cotton no. 8, or 6–9 strands of stranded cotton.
- 10–12 mesh: tapestry or Persian wool.
- The DMC numbers are the closest stranded-cotton shades to your photo; most also exist in pearl cotton. For wool, choose “Any colours” and match the hex colours to your brand’s shade card.
Stitching tips
- Basketweave (diagonal tent stitch) for large areas: it distorts the canvas least.
- Continental for outlines and single rows.
- Many stitchers paint or draw the chart onto the canvas first with acrylics or permanent markers, then stitch without counting.
- The area per colour shows which threads you need most of; buy a little extra of the large background colours.
Frequently asked questions
How big will my needlepoint be?
Each stitch covers one canvas intersection. On 13-mesh canvas, 100 stitches across is about 19.5 cm (7.7 in). The tool shows the finished size and the canvas to buy (2 in spare on every side) for the mesh you choose.
Which threads does it use?
Choose DMC thread numbers to match each colour to the closest DMC stranded cotton (also sold as pearl cotton in most shades), or “Any colours” to get hex codes to match with wool such as Appleton or DMC tapestry wool.
Which mesh should I choose?
13 mesh is the most common for pillows and ornaments; 18 mesh gives finer detail with stranded cotton; 10 and 12 mesh suit wool and quicker projects.
How do I read the chart?
Each square is one tent stitch. Bold lines every 10 stitches match the counting you do on the canvas. You can also paint or draw the colours onto the canvas first and stitch over them.
Is my picture uploaded?
No. Everything is made in your browser, so your picture never leaves your device.
Last updated 2026-10-20.