trying to make my own counted cross stitch pattern.?

Question

i would like to be able to take any picture from my computer, finely grid it without making it blurry, to make a cohesive pattern to creative my own unique counted cross stitch designs. i'm VERY poor, so i need this to be free, and creative. any sources are appreciated. thank you in advance!

i need the grid to show as much detail as possible!

i don't have an overhead projector. it would have to be done on the computer only, perhaps using a program such as paint to alter pictures??

CAN THESE SOFTWARE PRODUCTS BE PURCHASED AT A STORE? I HAVE NO CREDIT CARD.
IF SO, WHERE SHOULD I LOOK?

Answer 1

Here is a tutorial using Photoshop (you can use a free trial version of the program to create the pattern)

http://members.tripod.com/~ltsmith/pshop/cs1.html

Answer 2

I generally use just patterns. I hate kits, if you mess up then you are trying to match thread and all. It can be a nightmare depending on the kit. I have a friend though, who only likes kits and swears by Dimensions kits. I tend to buy a pattern that I like...if I don't like the colors but, I do like the design no problem, I just change all the colors. Oddly, I have never stitched something that I have not changed at least some of the colors in it. I do a lot of Victorian Houses, they are really easy to stitch, they just look hard. If you are a beginner then choose something with big blocks of color, as you advance then choosing things where you have a stitch of one color here and there is fine, it is just more complex. Right now I am stitching on 18 count aida and I have done 22 count aida and linen...just remember on linen you go over two threads each way. After doing 18 count aida though, 14 count is huge and extremely easy. I have not made up my own counted cross stitch designs because, I am not artistic in that way...though, I have done my own embroidery designs (after a fashion) because, I can copy a line drawing and then use the embroidery to 'fill' in the elements.

Answer 3

Why not print a grid on an overhead projector sheet, then put that right on top of your picture? You could also put your picture into your photo program and ask it to change it to oil or watercolor, then put the grid on.

Answer 4

I love knitPro -- and it's free! http://www.microrevolt.org/knitPro

Here's another free Counted Cross Stitch Chart Generator, but I haven't tried it: http://www.darklilac.com/upload.jsp

Answer 5

There are softwares that can do that... this is one of them, there is a trial version... http://www.hobbyware.com/