I always use a good quality aida cloth for cross stitch designs. It is essential to have an even weave so that warp and weft threads form squares where they cross and there are the same number of threads in every inch or centimetre across all of the fabric surface. This makes is possible to get a result with even and square crosses.
Zweigart aida cloth is my absolute favourite because of the precision of it’s weave. It has 4 threads in warp and weft which creates tiny holes. These can be varied in size to give a finer or courser fabric. It also has a nice feel which is firm but not stiff. I like it best for my cross stitch.
Zweigart Easy Count comes with a water soluble grid to make counting easier but it is very soft. I personally prefer something a little firmer.
DMC also makes a good aida cloth which has a very even weave. It is a bit stiffer than Zweigart but this can be a good thing if you like working without a hoop. I have used it for some designs and enjoyed working on it.
There is cheaper unbranded aida cloth available. Some of these have a looser, more open weave which can make producing an evenly stitched result more difficult. My feeling is that if I am to invest a lot of time in working on a cross stitch project then I want it to be done with quality materials that will increase my chances of ending up with a great result.
Happy crossing!
