Many stitchers are confused by the vast amount of different cross stitch fabrics available today.  What's the fiber content?  What count does it come in?  Is it easy to stitch on?  Included in our guide are the answers to these questions.  To try out some of these fabrics, visit our Ebay Store.

Linen Fabric Information

18ct Cork Linen:

Manufactured by Zweigart and 100% linen. Currently available in a wide range of colors—about 20. This linen is perfect for stitching over one or two threads. For best results, use 4 strands of floss when stitching “over 2”.

25ct Dublin Linen:

Manufactured by Zweigart and is 100% linen. Typical thread usage is 2 or 3 plies of floss for adequate coverage. Currently available in 14 colors.

28ct Cashel Linen:

Manufactured by Zweigart and is 100% linen. Most stitchers prefer to use 2 plies of floss when stitching “over 2” threads. Currently available in over 45 colors, plus several Vintage colors.

32ct Belfast Linen:

Also manufactured by Zweigart and is favorite among many stitchers. It is also 100% linen and available in over 45 colors. Two plies of thread should be used for best coverage. In addition to the extensive line of around 4 dozen colors, Belfast is also available in several Vintage (overdyed) colors.

36ct Edinburgh Linen:

Similar to Belfast and Cashel, except is 36 count. Currently available in 9 colors. Most stitchers use 2 strands of floss, however some prefer to use one strand for a delicate look.

40ct Newcastle Linen:

100% Linen and manufactured by Zweigart. Very fine linen! Seven colors are available, mostly in neutral tones. Most stitchers prefer to use just one strand of floss when working on this linen. Using 1 strand of silk thread gives a lovely appearance also.

25ct & 28ct Pearl Linen:

Currently available in 7 colors, Pearl Linen comes in 20, 25, and 28 count. It is a linen and polyester blend and has thick threads making a very supple fabric. This linen comes in extra wide width (67”) making it perfect for table runners and other projects that require a large cut of linen.

28ct Glasgow:

Also manufactured by Zweigart and 100% linen. Glasgow is woven with more plies of fiber to give the threads a more “plump” feel. This linen has a wonderful feel when stitching! Currently available in 4 colors.

Permin Linen:

These linens are available in 18, 26, 28, 32, 35, and 40 count. There are currently a varying number of colors available with the most being in 28 and 32 count. This fabric is also 100% linen and is manufactured by Permin of Copenhagen. This linen has an open and airy appearance and is slightly stiff. Some stitchers prefer this when stitching.

Country French Linen:

Available in a range of about 12 colors in 28 count and 3 colors in 32 count. The colors of this line are based on coffee colors—all neutrals and work well with most projects. 100% linen.

Linen-Silk:

This fabric is 80% linen and 20% silk. Available in 28 and 32 count and a range of 5 colors.

Expressions Linen:

Hand dyed by Silkweaver Fabrics. Currently available in about 50 colors and each is created to be a beautiful blending of various colors. These are available in 18, 25, 28, 32, 36, and 40 count and are based on Zweigart linens.

Classics Linen:

These linens are also hand dyed by Silkweaver and currently available in 45 colors. Classics are typically dyed in a single color with just a touch of color variation. Perfect for projects that need a subtle background, but not overpowering. Available in 18, 25, 28, 32, 36 and 40 and based upon Zweigart linens.

Reflections Linens:

Another Silkweaver Fabric, these fabrics are based on fabrics that have opalescent threads woven throughout. These threads pick up the colors surrounding them giving hand dyeds a breathtaking appearance. Currently available in dozens of colors and 28, 32, 36 and 40 count linen.

Solos:

Solos are hand dyed ‘one-ofkind’ fabrics by Silkweaver. Each and every one is unique in coloring in patterning. Currently created in a huge variety of fabric types!

Plainweave Fabric Information:

Lugana:

Manufactured by Zweigart and one of the most popular fabrics available. Lugana is a cotton/ rayon blend and is made in 20, 25, 28, and 32 count, with the widest range of colors in 25 and 28 count. Sometimes lugana fabrics are referred to by other names as follows:

20ct—Valerie

25ct—n/a

28ct—Brittney

32ct-n/a Some people refer to 32ct as Murano, however Murano is actually a discontinued fabric that was 30 count.

25 count Lugana is a very versatile fabric and works excellent for stitching ‘over 1’ thread or ‘over 2’. It is also a perfect starter fabric for stitchers trying out plain-weaves for the first time.

Jobelan:

Manufactured by Permin of Copenhagen, Jobelan is a cotton/polyester blend. It has a slight bit of a sheen and is very soft. Currently, there are nearly 40 colors in the 28 count range and 10 in the 32 count range. Selected colors are also available in 20 and 25 count.

Jazlyn:

Zweigart’s newest plainweave fabric! It is a cotton/rayon blend similar to Lugana, but woven with more fibers to create a rich full thread. Wonderful feel! Currently available in 28 count only and a color range of around a dozen, but many more colors are coming! This fabric has excellent drapability giving stitchers more flexibility with their projects.

Jubilee:

Also manufactured by Zweigart, Jubilee is 100% cotton. Currently available in 13 colors. 28 count only.

Linda:

Linda fabric is also 100% cotton, however it is 27 count. Currently available in 7 colors. Manufactured by Zweigart.

Opalescent Lugana:

Although part of the regular Lugana line, the opalescent fabric stands out on it’s beauty. The opalescent threads that are woven throughout the fabric give it just the right amount of shimmer. Zweigart produces this in 20, 25, 28 and 32 count.

Expressions Lugana:

Hand dyed by Silkweaver Fabrics. Currently available in about 50 colors and each is created to be a beautiful blending of various colors. These are available in 20, 25, 28, and 32 count and are based on Zweigart lugana.

"Classics" Luganas:

These fabrics are similar to our “Classics” linens and are also hand dyed by Silkweaver and currently available in around 4 dozen colors. These fabrics are typically dyed in a single color with just a touch of color variation. Perfect for projects that need a subtle background, but not overpowering. Available in 20, 25, 28, and 32 count and based upon Zweigart luganas.

Reflections Luganas:

A Silkweaver Favorite!  These fabrics are based on fabrics that have opalescent threads woven throughout. These threads pick up the colors surrounding them giving hand dyeds a breathtaking appearance. Currently available in many colors and 25, 28 and 32 count.

Solos:

Solos are hand dyed ‘oneof-kind’ fabrics by Silk-weaver. Each and every one is unique in coloring in patterning. Currently created in a huge variety of fabric types!

Miscellaneous Fabric:

28ct Meran:

Manufactured by Zweigart, Meran is a 28 count fabric that has a very elegant appearance. It is 60% rayon and 40% cotton. It has the irregular appearance similar to linen. Currently available in 10 colors.

28ct Pastel Linen:

A very unique fabric! Pastel Linen is only available in 28 count and carries a range of 8 colors. Fiber content is 48% linen and 52% cotton. Pastel linen has a nice thick feel and is very easy to stitch on. It gets it’s pastel appearance through varying threads. One direction of the threads carries the color, while the other direction of threads is white. Manufactured by Zweigart.

28ct Quaker Linen:

Currently available in 14 colors and only in 28 count. Quaker is a blend of cotton and linen (45/55) and is an excellent fabric to stitch on. It has the beautiful rich look of linen, but without the slubs that some stitchers find difficult. Manufactured by Zweigart.

28ct Annabelle:

Currently available in 7 colors, Annabelle is a beautiful alternative to linen fabric. It is 100% cotton, but has the irregular appearance of linen, making it a truly unique fabric. It is only produced in 28 count. Manufactured by Zweigart.

Heatherfield:

Another quite unique fabric! Heatherfield is available in 10, 16, and 26 count. While 26 count carries only 4 colors, 10 and 16 count each comprise a range of 9-10 colors. Each of these colors have a slight amount of flecking throughout the fabric. Heatherfield is very thick and is 100% polyacrylic.

Tula:

Very easy on the eyes! Tula is a 10 count fabric manufactured by Zweigart. Perfect for small, quick to stitch projects. Currently available in 12 colors. Tilla is similar to Tula, except that it has metallic threads woven throughout. There are currently 3 Tilla colors. It is 60% rayon and 40% cotton. Also available in Opalescent.

Many, many other types and colors of fabrics exist on the market today. Stitcher’s have excellent choices available to them and can find just about any color they are looking for!