How many skeins of DMC floss do I need?
To know how many skeins of floss to buy, count the stitches of each color and divide by how many stitches one skein makes. FlossChart estimates about 1.800 full cross stitches per skein on 14 count Aida with 2 strands, waste included, and always rounds up.
The table gives the result per color for common stitch counts. Buy per color: a pattern with 20 colors needs at least 20 skeins, even if some colors have only a few stitches.
Skeins per color by stitch count and fabric
| Stitches of one color | 11 count | 14 count | 16 count | 18 count |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 500 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 1.000 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 1.800 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 2.500 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| 3.600 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| 5.000 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| 7.500 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 4 |
| 10.000 | 8 | 6 | 5 | 5 |
| 15.000 | 11 | 9 | 8 | 7 |
| 20.000 | 15 | 12 | 10 | 9 |
The formula FlossChart uses: skeins = stitches / (1.800 x fabric count / 14), rounded up, at least 1.
Questions
How many cross stitches does one skein of DMC floss make?
FlossChart estimates about 1.800 full cross stitches per skein on 14 count Aida with 2 strands, waste included. On finer fabric each stitch is smaller, so a skein goes further: 11 count: about 1.414, 14 count: about 1.800, 16 count: about 2.057, 18 count: about 2.314.
How many skeins do I need for 5.000 stitches of one color?
On 14 count with 2 strands, FlossChart estimates 3 skeins. The estimate always rounds up, so you do not run short in the middle of a row.
Is the skein count exact?
No. It is an estimate. How tight you stitch, how long your threads are and how you travel between stitches all change the real use.
Get the floss list for your photo
FlossChart counts the stitches of every color in your pattern and shows the skeins per color in the floss list as soon as the preview appears. Change the fabric and the skein column updates. The list is free for every chart size.