Printable knitting & cross stitch graph paper PDF

About knitting and cross stitch graph paper

Knitting stitches are wider than they are tall. A typical stocking stitch swatch measures about five stitches for every four rows, so a chart drawn on ordinary square graph paper distorts the design. Knitting graph paper uses rectangles with the same proportions, so a motif drawn on the chart looks the same as the finished fabric.

Cross stitch, tapestry crochet, beadwork and pixel crochet work on square cells instead, so the generator also includes square grids. Whatever the craft, you draw the pattern by colouring cells, then follow it row by row.

To match your gauge, set the stitch width and row height directly in millimetres or inches. Divide the swatch width by the number of stitches, and the swatch height by the number of rows, and enter the results. A stitch and row count is printed under the chart, and optional arrows mark the centre.

What you can use it for

• Colourwork and Fair Isle knitting patterns
• Intarsia and lettering charts
• Cross stitch designs and samplers
• Tapestry and pixel crochet
• Bead weaving, mosaic and loom patterns

The options explained

• Stitch width and height. Set to match your gauge. The 5 by 4 mm preset matches a common worsted weight swatch.
• Heavier line every. Usually 10, so you can count stitches in blocks.
• Mark the centre with arrows. Helps you start a symmetrical design from the middle.
• Print stitch and row count. Prints the size of the chart under the grid, as a number of stitches by a number of rows.
• Outer border. A darker frame around the chart.

Printing tips

• Knit a swatch first and measure it. A chart that matches your real gauge shows how the finished piece will look.
• Use the square presets for cross stitch and pixel crochet, where cells are the same width and height.
• Print several copies and use one for each draft before copying your final pattern.

For more detail, read the guide to printing grid paper at true size.

Frequently asked questions