Turn a black and white photo into a cross-stitch pattern
Short answer: a black and white photo becomes a pattern of greys, from black to white. 6 to 10 shades are usually enough. Increase the contrast of faded photos before you upload.
How many greys
- 4 to 6 shades: bold, graphic look, like a print.
- 8 to 10: soft shading on faces and clothes.
- More than 12: rarely needed; neighbouring greys look the same in thread.
Old and faded photos
Old prints are often faded, with low contrast and a yellow or brown tint. Scan or photograph the print in good light, then raise the contrast in your phone's photo editor. A sepia photo will match to brown and cream threads instead of greys, which can look lovely too.
As a gift
A stitched portrait of grandparents or parents from an old photo is a meaningful family gift.
Make a pattern from your old photoUpload a photo, choose the size and colours, and see the full pattern before you pay. Your photo never leaves your device.Make my pattern
Questions people ask
How many colours for a black and white cross-stitch?
Usually 6 to 10 shades of grey.
Can I use a sepia photo?
Yes. It will match to browns and creams, which keeps the old-photo feel.
More guides
- Turn a photo of your dog into a cross-stitch pattern
- Turn a photo of your cat into a cross-stitch pattern
- A pet memorial cross-stitch from your own photo
- Turn a wedding photo into a cross-stitch pattern
- A cross-stitch pattern from a baby photo
- A family portrait cross-stitch from your photo
- Turn a photo of a house into a cross-stitch pattern
- Which photos make good cross-stitch patterns?
- How big will my cross-stitch be?
- 14, 16 or 18-count Aida: which should you use?
- How many colours should a photo pattern have?
- How your photo's colours become DMC thread numbers
- Turn a photo of your horse into a cross-stitch pattern
- Turn a photo of your rabbit into a cross-stitch pattern
- Turn a photo of your bird into a cross-stitch pattern
- Two pets in one cross-stitch pattern
- Turn a travel photo into a cross-stitch pattern
- A cross-stitch of your grandparents from a photo
- Turn a photo of a couple into a cross-stitch pattern
- A silhouette cross-stitch from your photo
- A personalised cross-stitch gift from a photo
- Your first cross-stitch from a photo
- How to read a cross-stitch chart