Cross Stitch Conversion Chart: How to Translate Thread, Count, and Scale for Knitters and Crocheters

Cross stitch conversion charts map embroidery floss colors to yarn weights, translate fabric count (like 14-count Aida) into stitch-per-inch ratios, and help fiber artists adapt pixel-style motifs to knitting or crochet grids. Keep one bookmarked and you will spend less time guessing and more time stitching.

What exactly does a cross stitch conversion chart convert?

A cross stitch conversion chart can convert three different things depending on what you need: thread brand equivalencies (DMC to Anchor, for example), fabric count to gauge ratios, or color codes to yarn colors. Most knitters stumble onto these charts looking for one thing and discover they needed all three.

The most common use is thread brand conversion. DMC and Anchor are the two dominant embroidery floss brands, and their color numbering systems are completely different. DMC 321 is a classic Christmas red; the Anchor equivalent is 9046. If your pattern calls for one brand and your local shop only carries the other, a conversion chart gets you close. "Close" is the right word -- the match is rarely perfect because the dye lots differ, but it gets you into the right neighborhood.

The second use is fabric count translation. Cross stitch fabric is sold by "count," meaning the number of stitches per inch. Common counts are 11, 14, 16, 18, and 28. A 14-count Aida cloth gives you 14 stitches per inch. A 28-count evenweave stitched over two threads also gives you 14 stitches per inch. That ratio matters when you want to scale a cross stitch chart to a knitting grid.

The third use is color-to-yarn matching, which is where knitters and crocheters spend most of their time.

How do I adapt a cross stitch chart to a knitting or crochet pattern?

You treat each cross stitch square as one stitch on your knitting chart. The main adjustment is accounting for stitch shape, because knit stitches are wider than they are tall.

A cross stitch on Aida cloth sits in a square grid -- each stitch is 1:1. A knit stitch is roughly 1.2 to 1.5 times wider than it is tall depending on your yarn and needle combination. This means a motif that looks like a circle on a cross stitch chart will look like a slightly squashed oval in stockinette unless you compensate. The Craft Yarn Council's stitch gauge standards can help you calculate your own width-to-height ratio once you have a gauge swatch in hand.

Here is a practical approach:

1. Count the stitches wide and stitches tall in the original cross stitch motif.
2. Knit a gauge swatch and measure both stitches per inch and rows per inch.
3. Divide stitches per inch by rows per inch. If you get 5 stitches per inch and 7 rows per inch, your ratio is roughly 0.71 -- meaning each stitch is 71% as tall as it is wide.
4. Multiply the motif's row count by that ratio to get the compressed row count that will look proportional in knitting.

For crochet, the math shifts again. Single crochet (sc) stitches are closer to square than knit stitches, so a cross stitch chart often translates more directly to a sc grid. Double crochet (dc) stitches are taller than wide, so you may need to add extra rows instead of removing them.

Which DMC to Anchor conversion chart is most reliable?

Both DMC and Anchor publish their own official conversion charts, and they disagree with each other on some matches. Use the manufacturer's chart as your starting point, then trust your eyes.

DMC's official color conversion page lists Anchor equivalents for every DMC thread. Anchor's own chart lists DMC equivalents from their side. Pull both up side by side for any color you care about. Where they agree, you are good. Where they disagree -- and they do disagree on several colors in the blue-green range -- buy a small skein of each candidate and hold them next to your project fabric in natural light before committing.

For yarn color matching to DMC, there is no single authoritative chart. What exists are community-built resources. The Ravelry forums have threads where knitters have documented their own DMC-to-yarn matches by brand, but these are user-generated and vary by dye lot. Treat them as starting suggestions, not guarantees.

Can I use a cross stitch chart as a colorwork chart in knitting or crochet?

Yes, but you'll likely need to edit it first. Cross stitch charts are already on a grid, so the structure translates directly to stranded colorwork. The catch is color count: traditional Fair Isle allows only two colors per row, and many cross stitch motifs use three or more in a single row.

Yes, with some editing. Cross stitch charts are already drawn on a grid, which is exactly what stranded colorwork requires. The main limitation is color count per row.

Traditional Fair Isle stranded knitting uses no more than two colors per row. Many cross stitch motifs use three, four, or more colors in a single horizontal line. Before you commit to a cross stitch chart for a colorwork sweater, scan each row and count distinct colors. If any row has three or more, you either need to simplify the design, substitute intarsia for that section, or use duplicate stitch after the fact for accent colors.

For crochet colorwork using the tapestry or overlay method, the same two-color-per-row guideline applies to keep tension manageable.

A simple editing trick: open the chart in any free image editor, zoom in, and go row by row with a highlighter or color-count tool. Recolor any third color in a row to its nearest neighbor that is already present in that row. You will lose some detail but keep the overall read of the motif.

What thread weight corresponds to what yarn weight?

Embroidery floss is a 6-strand divisible thread. The full 6 strands together are roughly comparable to a fingering-weight yarn in terms of coverage, though not in fiber content or twist. Two strands of floss are closer to a single thread used in surface embroidery on fabric.

Here is a rough working comparison:

These are starting points for needle felting, embroidery on knits, or mixed-media work. They are not a substitute for measuring your actual materials. Check your gauge and measure as you go before cutting any significant yardage.

Where can I find a printable cross stitch conversion chart?

DMC and Anchor both offer downloadable PDFs on their websites. For a version that includes yarn color matching, your best bet is to build your own as you work -- a simple spreadsheet with DMC code, color name, Anchor equivalent, and the specific yarn colorway you matched it to in your stash. After a few projects, you have a personalized reference that reflects the actual yarns available to you, not a generic approximation.

Fibertools.app is a good place to track your stash colors alongside project notes so those hard-won matches do not disappear into a forgotten notebook.

Frequently asked questions

What is a cross stitch conversion chart?

A cross stitch conversion chart is a reference tool that maps thread colors from one brand to their closest equivalents in another brand. Because DMC, Anchor, Madeira, and other thread manufacturers each use their own numbering systems and dye formulas, a conversion chart helps stitchers substitute threads when a specific color is unavailable. The matches are often approximate rather than exact, since dye lots vary between manufacturers.

How do I convert DMC thread colors to Anchor?

To convert DMC thread colors to Anchor, look up your DMC number in a DMC-to-Anchor conversion chart and find the corresponding Anchor shade listed beside it. Keep in mind that not every DMC color has a perfect Anchor equivalent, so some conversions are near-matches. Tools like the cross stitch converter on fibertools.app make this process quick by letting you search by thread number and instantly see suggested alternatives across multiple brands.

Can I use a cross stitch conversion chart for yarn or crochet projects?

Cross stitch conversion charts are primarily designed for embroidery floss and thread, not yarn. However, the concept of color conversion applies broadly across fiber arts. For yarn substitution, you would instead reference yarn weight charts and dye lot comparisons. If you are incorporating embroidery details into a knitting or crochet project, a thread conversion chart can still help you match floss colors to your existing yarn palette.

Are cross stitch thread conversions always exact matches?

Cross stitch thread conversions are rarely exact matches. Thread manufacturers use proprietary dye formulas, meaning the same color name or number can look noticeably different between brands. Conversion charts provide the closest available equivalent, but subtle differences in hue, saturation, or sheen may still appear in your finished piece. When color accuracy is critical, it is best to compare physical thread samples side by side before committing to a substitution.

Why would I need to convert cross stitch thread colors?

You might need to convert cross stitch thread colors if a pattern calls for a brand you do not have access to, if a specific color is discontinued, or if you want to use thread you already own. Conversion charts let you adapt any pattern to your available supplies without compromising the overall color scheme. They are especially useful for stitchers who prefer one brand over another or who shop where only certain brands are stocked.