Free cross stitch pattern makers: what “free” includes
“Free” means different things: some give every PDF, some only a preview. This table shows each free plan as the tools’ own pages described it. This is our own site and we are in the table; checked 2026-11-15 unless noted.
| Tool | Free plan | Printable PDF | Sign-up | Photo | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Cross Stitch Pattern Maker (this site) | 300 × 300 stitches, 50 colors, first PDF free, PNG always free | First PDF free, then Pro | No | Converted in your browser; kept in your account only if you sync with Pro | 2026-11-15 |
| Stitchmate | Unlimited designing, PNG export and PDF preview; up to 10 saved patterns | Paid | No (to start) | Converted on your device | 2026-11-15 |
| FlossCross | Everything; stitchers report a 300 × 300 maximum | Free, with custom settings | No | Patterns stored in your browser | 2026-11-15 |
| Pic2Pat | Up to 1000 × 1000 (Pic2Pat site, read 2026-11-13) | Free | No | Stays on your device; only the finished pattern is sent to make the PDF | 2026-11-15 |
| Stitch Fiddle | 15 charts, 300 × 300, 50 colors | Not clear on the pricing page | Yes, to save charts | Not stated | 2026-11-15 |
| StitchThis | Up to 600 × 600 (read 2026-11-13) | First free, then paid | Not stated | Not stated | 2026-11-15 |
| Knytstudio | Designing and converting unlimited | First free, then paid | For exports | Not stated | 2026-11-13 |
| BeadPattern | 10–300 stitches wide | Not stated | No | Stays in your browser | 2026-11-13 |
| MakeBead | 50–200 stitches wide, 20–80 colors | Free | No | Stays in your browser | 2026-11-13 |
Our free plan, plainly
Free every time: converting, the stitchability check, the on-screen chart, the floss list with skeins and the PNG, up to 300 × 300 stitches and 50 colors. Free once: a complete printable PDF without a watermark. After that, PDFs need Pro (from $3.99 for 30 days, never renews). We remember the free PDF in your browser only, so there is no account. Try it in the free pattern maker, or read the photo-to-pattern tutorial first. The paid plans of every tool are in the full comparison; ours are on the free and Pro plans page. Free plans rarely count skeins — the floss and size calculator does, for any pattern.
Questions
Which pattern makers give a free PDF?
FlossCross, Pic2Pat and MakeBead give every PDF free. This site, StitchThis and Knytstudio give the first PDF free. Stitchmate charges for every PDF.
Do free pattern makers add a watermark?
Our free PDF has no watermark, only one footer line with the site name. Check each tool’s export before you print.
What is the largest free pattern?
Pic2Pat lists up to 1000 × 1000. Here, Stitch Fiddle and (by user reports) FlossCross stop at 300 × 300.
Free or Pro? Pro
Free, no sign-up
Photo to pattern, stitchability check, floss list with skeins, PNG, and your first PDF complete — re-download the same photo within 24 hours. Patterns saved in this browser and a stitch tracker for one pattern. Up to 300 × 300 stitches and 50 colors.
Pro adds
Every PDF for the period, names and dates on the pattern, print options, a seller kit (your covers, OXS, ZIP), a floss box with shopping lists, only the floss you own, deeper clean-up, your name instead of ours on the PDF, your patterns and stitch progress on every device, up to 1000 × 1000 stitches and 250 colors.