Guides
Learn the method, then make it.
20 practical guides and a fabric size calculator: quilt yardage, batting and bias tape, crochet hooks and granny squares, Aida counts and canvas mesh, each tied to a free generator.
Guide images are AI illustrations of each topic.
Quilting
How Much Fabric Do I Need for a Quilt?Quilt fabric from your cut pieces: strips across a 40" usable width, rounded up to 1/8 yard. Chart for crib to king, with backing and binding.
Half-Square Triangle Math: Cut Sizes ChartCut size for half-square triangles made two at a time: finished size plus 7/8", or plus 1" to trim. Includes a chart, flying geese sizes and yardage.
Quilt Binding and Backing Yardage Calculator GuideHow much binding and backing fabric a quilt needs: 2 1/2" strips for perimeter plus 10", backing 4" larger on every side, and which way to seam it.
How Many Fat Quarters Do I Need for a Quilt?Count the pieces one fat quarter gives, divide your total by it and round up. Chart of squares per fat quarter, plus worked examples for two throw quilts.
Quilt Sizes Chart: Crib, Throw, Twin, Queen, KingQuilt size = mattress + drop on the sides and foot. Mattress sizes, quilt sizes at a 12" drop, typical finished sizes and a worked queen example.
How Much Bias Tape Does a Yard of Fabric Make?A yard of 40"-wide cotton gives about 518" (14.4 yd) of 2 1/2" continuous bias tape, 576" at 2 1/4". Formula, chart from a fat quarter to 1 1/4 yards, square method.
Quilt Batting Sizes Chart: What Size to BuyBatting should be 8" wider and longer than the quilt top. Packaged sizes from crib 45" × 60" to king 120" × 120", the largest top each covers, and roll yardage.
Crochet
US vs UK Crochet Terms (and How to Read a Pattern)A US to UK crochet terms chart (sc = UK dc, dc = UK tr) plus how to read a pattern: abbreviations, turning chains, repeats and stitch counts.
Crochet Magic Ring and Amigurumi Ball PatternStart a crochet ball with 6 sc in a magic ring, add 6 stitches per round (12, 18, 24), work even, then decrease 6 per round back to 6 and close.
Crochet Beanie Size Chart and Crown MathCrochet beanie sizes from head circumference: subtract negative ease, divide by pi for crown diameter, then work even to the hat height. Chart included.
What Size Crochet Hook for Worsted Yarn?Worsted is Craft Yarn Council weight 4 (Medium). The standard hook range is 5.5 to 6.5 mm (US I-9 to K-10 1/2); a gauge swatch picks the exact size.
How Many Chains for a Crochet Blanket?Foundation chain = stitches for your width + 1 for single crochet or + 2 for half double and double crochet. Chain chart for 30" to 60" blankets.
Crochet Hook Sizes Chart: mm to US and UKCrochet hook sizes side by side: millimeters, US letter and number sizes from the Craft Yarn Council, old UK numbers, and the hook range for every yarn weight.
How Many Granny Squares for a Blanket?Squares across × squares down: a 66" × 90" twin takes 165 six-inch squares, a 50" × 60" throw 80. Chart for baby to king blankets with 4", 5", 6" and 8" squares.
Cross-stitch & needlepoint
Aida Cloth Count Explained: 11, 14, 16 and 18Aida count is stitches per inch, so finished size = stitches ÷ count. See a size chart for 11, 14, 16 and 18 count and how much fabric to cut.
Needlepoint vs Cross-Stitch: Differences ExplainedNeedlepoint covers canvas fully, usually in tent stitch; cross-stitch makes X stitches on Aida and leaves fabric showing. Compare materials, sizing and uses.
How to Turn a Photo into a Cross-Stitch PatternTurn a photo into a cross-stitch chart: pick a clear photo, set the width in stitches, reduce the colors, simplify the background and match floss yourself.
How to Finish a Cross-Stitch in a HoopHoop the stitching tight, trim to about 1", gather the edge with a running stitch and sew on a felt circle. Glue and no-glue methods compared.
How Many Strands of Floss for Cross-Stitch?Use 2 strands on 14-count Aida, 3 to 4 on 11-count and 1 to 2 on 18-count. Chart by fabric count with needle sizes, evenweave and how to split floss.
Needlepoint Canvas Mesh Sizes: 10 to 18 MeshMesh is holes per inch: 100 stitches are 10" on 10-mesh, 7.69" on 13-mesh, 5.56" on 18-mesh. Mesh sizes side by side with stitches per square inch and needle sizes.
Cross-Stitch Fabric Size Calculator: Aida and LinenEnter a chart's stitch count and fabric count to get the finished size in inches and cm and the fabric to cut with a 3" margin, for 11 to 22-count Aida and evenweave over two.