Free Cross Stitch Pattern Designer — Draw Your Own Chart
Create original cross stitch patterns from a blank canvas — no image upload needed. Place each stitch using real DMC floss colors, use the fill tool for solid areas, and export a printable PDF chart with symbol legend and full thread list. Ideal for monograms, samplers, and original motifs.
All Colors (154)
How to Draw a Perler Bead Pattern
Set Up Your Grid
Choose a grid size that matches your project. 50×70 is standard for Aida cloth; smaller for practice pieces.
Select a DMC Color & Draw
Click a DMC color from the palette — its official code shows on hover. Click or drag cells to place stitches. Use fill for solid background areas.
Build Your Design Section by Section
Work one motif at a time. Use undo/redo freely. Switch colors as needed — the palette stays open while you draw.
Export PDF & Start Stitching
Download the PDF. It includes your stitch chart with grid, a symbol legend, and a thread list with DMC codes and stitch counts.
Features
Full DMC Floss Palette
Every standard DMC floss color is available, each labeled with its official 3-digit code. What you design maps directly to threads you can buy at any craft store.
Stitch-by-Stitch Drawing
Pen tool places individual cross stitches; fill bucket covers large areas; color picker samples existing stitches; eraser removes. All bound to keyboard shortcuts.
Symbol Legend in PDF
Exported PDFs include a symbol chart alongside your stitch grid — each DMC color gets a unique symbol so you can stitch by symbol rather than hunting for colors on screen.
Adjustable Grid Size
Start with the default 50×70 for standard Aida cloth, or set any size from 4×4 to 100×100. Change dimensions anytime — existing stitches are preserved.
Unlimited Undo & Redo
Up to 50 steps of history. Experiment with color combinations and layouts freely — Ctrl+Z brings you back.
Runs Entirely in Your Browser
No software to install, no account to create. Your pattern data never leaves your device.
What Is a Cross Stitch Pattern Designer?
A cross stitch pattern designer is a blank-canvas drawing tool — the opposite of a photo converter. Instead of turning a photo into a chart, you draw the chart yourself, stitch by stitch. This is the right tool for original designs that don't start from a photograph: monograms, geometric borders, typographic samplers, decorative motifs.
Every color you place corresponds to a real DMC floss number. When your design is done, the PDF export lists each thread code and how many stitches use it. Take that list to any needlework store and you'll buy exactly the right threads — no guessing.
MakeBead's cross stitch designer runs in the browser with no installation. Draw your chart at any size, adjust as you go, and export a print-ready PDF the moment you're ready to pick up your needle and Aida cloth.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between this and the cross stitch converter? ▾
The converter takes a photo and auto-generates a chart. This designer gives you a blank grid to draw your own original pattern — ideal for text, monograms, and geometric designs that don't exist as photos.
Can I design text and monograms? ▾
Yes. Draw letter shapes cell by cell. For consistency, plan your letter height first (typically 7–11 stitches tall for readable text) then fill in each character.
Does the PDF include a symbol chart? ▾
Yes. Each DMC color is assigned a unique symbol. The PDF shows the symbol grid for stitching and a key mapping each symbol to its DMC code and stitch count.
What grid size should I use? ▾
For small samplers, 30×30. For standard wall pieces, 50×70 (matches 14-count Aida proportions). For large designs, up to 100×100. You can resize at any time without losing stitches.
How do I choose between 11-count and 14-count Aida? ▾
14-count Aida is the most common and gives fine detail. 11-count is larger — good for beginners or bold designs. The grid size in this tool is independent of fabric count; use the same chart on any count Aida.