Over my many years of cross stitching, I’ve used various different fabrics, including different brands of Aida - the open weave fabric designed for cross stitch, with a grid of square holes that make counting and stitching easy.
Aida is sold in different counts, which refers to how many stitches you can make in an inch (the metric equivalent is pts/cm). If you have a higher count, there are more holes per inch, making a finer and more intricate finish to your cross stitch.
The most common counts are 14-18, and you’ll find that my Meloca Designs cross stitch kits come with 14 count Aida.
Let’s take a closer look at the 5 Aida brands that I’d recommend to any cross stitcher.
1. Zweigart Aida: the original and best
Zweigart actually invented the original Aida fabric over a hundred years ago, all the way back in 1907. They’re really well known, and their Aida is probably the most popular with cross stitchers around the world.
Based in Germany, they have a wide range of colours and counts available, so there’s a Zweigart Aida for every cross stitch project imaginable.
Their weave is top quality too, with 4 threads woven in a way that creates clear holes for cross stitching, making it a really good option for beginners, and there is a distinctive red stripe across the edge of Zweigart Aida, so you know it’s genuine.
I would say Zweigart is on the more expensive side for Aida fabric, but it’s such good quality that many cross stitchers feel that it’s totally worth it.
2. My favourite Aida brand: Sampedro
This is the brand of Aida fabric that I include in all Meloca Designs cross stitch kits, and I sell a couple of different counts of cream and white Sampedro Aida in my shop too.
It’s my absolute favourite because it’s not too stiff to work with, and it doesn’t fray easily either. It’s really good quality, and also isn’t as expensive as Zweigart Aida.
It’s tricky to find much information about Sampedro online, but I do know that they make their 100% cotton Aida in Portugal, and that it’s well-known for being durable, so it can be used to make long-lasting cross stitched quilts, cushions and more.
3. High quality Aida from DMC
I haven't used DMC Aida for cross stitch for a number of years, but you can be sure their Aida is top quality too - DMC makes the best embroidery thread in my opinion, which I also include in Meloca Designs cross stitch kits.
DMC Aida is 100% cotton, and they pride themselves on having a perfectly square weave, making the holes really even and consistent, so it is really easy for beginners and experts alike to create neat cross stitches.
They have a range of different counts and colours, but their most popular is the 14-count. Something I love about DMC is that when you buy Aida directly from them, they send the fabric out rolled in a tube, which is so great for avoiding big creases that can be hard to iron out.
4. Charles Craft for durable, sturdy Aida
I’ve not used Charles Craft Aida before, but I know it’s a really popular fabric with cross stitchers, due to its fantastic quality and durability.
This is another Aida made of 100% cotton, and it has a beautifully consistent weave and clearly defined holes, making it super easy for all levels of cross stitchers to make precise stitches.
Charles Craft Aida is available in a variety of counts from 11 to 18, as well as many different colours and sizes, so it can be used for loads of different cross stitch projects too.
From what I’ve heard, Charles Craft Aida has a good, sturdy texture that holds up well in an embroidery hoop, and stands the test of time.
5. Cotton and TENCEL Lyocell Aida by Permin
This is another Aida brand that I haven’t used before, but Permin has been around since 1854! Originally they were a small, family company in Copenhagen selling hand-drawn embroidery patterns, which were lent out to customers, and then they’d handover to the next person in line.
Permin have expanded their range vastly over the years, and now also sell yarn and other knitting bits, which are exported worldwide. They don’t sell their Aida through their website, but they do have a list of stockists, so you should be able to find Permin Aida in a shop near you, or you could get it posted from a UK seller.
Permin offers a wide variety of counts and colours of their 100% cotton Aida, and they also produce TENCEL™ Lyocell Aida, a fabric made from 100% wood pulp.
I’d recommend all of these brilliant Aida fabrics to anyone, as they all come highly rated by cross stitchers all over the world.
Are you in need of some more cross stitch equipment and don’t know where to start?
I have a couple more blog posts that you might find helpful, like The 5 best embroidery hoops for cross stitching: as rated by a professional, and 7 cross stitching fabrics, and how to choose the right one for your project if you’re looking to use a fabric that isn’t Aida.
Before you go, make sure to follow Meloca Designs on Instagram or join the Meloca Designs Cross Stitch Group on Facebook to see behind the scenes and be the first to know about exciting new cross stitch and diamond painting designs.