Counted vs Stamped Cross Stitch Kits: Which One Should You Buy?
Counted and stamped cross stitch use the same X-shaped stitch. The difference is where the pattern lives. In counted cross stitch, you follow a paper chart and count squares on blank fabric. In stamped cross stitch, the design is printed on the fabric and you stitch over it. This guide compares the two so you can pick the right kit.
Quick comparison
| Counted | Stamped (printed) | |
|---|---|---|
| Where the pattern is | On a separate chart | Printed on the fabric |
| Fabric | Blank Aida, evenweave or linen, in any color | Light-colored fabric with printed marks |
| Counting | Yes | No |
| Common mistake | Losing your place in the count | Stitches that do not fully cover the print |
| Washing at the end | Only if the piece got dirty | Usually needed to remove the printed marks |
| Pattern reuse | You can stitch the chart again | The printed fabric works once |
How counted cross stitch works
You start with blank fabric and a chart. Each square on the chart is one stitch, and each symbol stands for one thread color. You find the center of the fabric, find the center of the chart, and count from there.
- Good: you can use any fabric and any color, including dark and hand-dyed fabrics. You can change colors, and you can stitch the same chart again. The finished stitches sit in a neat, even grid.
- Harder: you have to read a chart and count. Miscount by one square and a whole section shifts.
Most patterns sold today are counted. New to it? Start with how to cross stitch for beginners.
How stamped cross stitch works
The fabric arrives with the design printed on it, often as small X marks in the colors you should use or with a color key. You stitch right over the marks. People compare it to paint by numbers.
- Good: no counting and no chart to follow. You can see the picture from the start, and it is hard to put a stitch in the wrong place.
- Harder: you get the fabric the kit gives you, in a light color. The print quality matters: blurry marks are hard to follow. Each printed fabric can be stitched only once.
Does the printed ink wash out?
Most stamped kits use ink made to wash out in water, and their instructions tell you to wash the finished piece. Follow the instructions in your kit, because inks differ. Two habits protect you either way:
- Cover every printed mark completely with your stitches. Marks that stay uncovered may not wash out fully.
- Wash gently in lukewarm water with a mild soap, roll the piece in a towel, and dry it flat.
What about “printed cross stitch kits”?
Shops use “printed” and “stamped” for the same thing: a kit with the design printed on the fabric. Check the listing, though. A few sellers call a kit “printed” when they mean the paper chart is printed. If the description says “counted,” the fabric is blank.
Which is easier for a beginner?
Both work for a first project.
- Choose stamped if counting sounds stressful, if you are stitching with a child, or if you want to relax and follow the picture.
- Choose counted if you want the widest choice of patterns, plan to keep stitching after this project, or like a small puzzle. On 14-count Aida, the squares are easy to see and count.
A small counted kit on 14-count Aida teaches skills you will use on every later pattern. See our picks in cross stitch kits for beginners.
What to check before you buy a kit
- Does the listing say counted or stamped?
- What is the fabric count? Lower counts such as 14 have bigger stitches. See our cross stitch fabric guide.
- How big is the finished design, and how many colors does it use?
- Does the kit include fabric, thread, a needle, and instructions?
- For stamped kits: is the print crisp in the photos, and do the instructions cover washing?
