A simple object, a pet silhouette, a bold landscape. Busy photographs need more stitches to stay recognisable.
FREE PHOTO-TO-PATTERN MAKER
Photo to pattern.
Made for stitching.
Turn a photo into a cross-stitch or
single-crochet colourwork chart. Free, no account.
YOUR PROJECT, AT A GLANCE
The little pear
One row at a time
Read these runs in working order, not page order. Each letter refers to the palette above. Chart image always remains the fixed front view.
—STITCH GRID
—TOTAL STITCHES
—STITCHED SIZE
Your colour story
Digital reference colours, not matched thread or yarn codes. Choose physical materials by eye. Every colour has a letter for black-and-white printing.
Small changes, big difference.
Select a colour above, switch to Chart and tap a square to repaint it. Zoom in for accurate edits. Or merge the selected colour into another.
Paint a precise square
Off-screen. Into your hands.
Symbol chart, numbered tiles and a colour-count legend.
Save an editable .patternpebble file to keep your colours, edits, settings and current row. It contains the chart, not your original photo. Reopen it here later. Nothing is saved to a server.
Cross-stitch size excludes finishing margins. For crochet, size is estimated from your gauge and the picture can stretch if stitches aren’t square. No yarn-quantity or completion-time promises.
A GOOD FIRST PROJECT
Start small. Make it yours.
A single isolated square is a single stitch. Simplify fussy bits with the palette and chart editor before printing.
Compare real yarn or thread colours in daylight. Crochet a gauge swatch; leave fabric margins for cross-stitch finishing.
FROM FIRST PICTURE TO FIRST STITCH
Make a chart you can follow.
Photo to cross-stitch: a practical guide
Choose a picture, set your stitch count, simplify colours and calculate the fabric size before printing.
Photo to a single-crochet chart
Understand gauge, alternating row directions and why a square picture grid can change shape in yarn.
Free, local and editable
Work on your phone or computer. Your image is processed in your browser. Download a tiled A4 PDF or save an editable chart file. JavaScript is required for the chart maker.
BEFORE YOU MAKE YOUR FIRST CHART
Questions, answered.
Is this photo-to-pattern maker free?
Yes. You can convert pictures, edit colours and squares, and download PDF charts without an account. Save an editable .patternpebble file if you want to return to the project later.
Can I convert a photo on my phone?
Yes, in a modern browser with JavaScript enabled. Open a JPG, PNG or WebP picture up to 20 MB. The image is processed on your device. Use zoom or the precise-square controls to edit a small chart on a phone.
Does the chart include DMC thread numbers?
No. Palette colours are digital references, not manufacturer matches. Choose physical thread or yarn by eye in good light before buying materials.
Is a crochet chart the same as a complete crochet pattern?
No. This tool makes a flat, back-and-forth US single-crochet colourwork chart with row colour runs. It does not provide shaping, C2C, mosaic, filet, amigurumi or yarn quantities. Read the single-crochet guide before starting.
How large will my finished cross-stitch be?
Divide stitches by fabric count to get the stitched size in inches. Add finishing margins separately. Try the cross-stitch size calculator to compare fabric counts before printing.
Why does my photo lose detail?
A chart replaces a large image with a small number of stitches and colours. Start with a clear subject, then try more stitches or colours if necessary. More detail also means more work. The photo-to-cross-stitch guide explains the trade-off.