Counted stitching or Counted-thread embroidery, is a form of embroidery where the number of warp and weft yarns in the fabric are methodically counted to place the stitches. This results in uniform length stitches and a precise finished design.

Warp and weft are the two basic components used in weaving to turn thread or yarn into fabric. The lengthwise warp yarns are held stationary in tension on a frame or loom while the transverse weft  is drawn through and inserted over and under the warp.

Aida

Aida fabric is one of the most widely used counted thread embroidery fabrics. Made from 100% cotton, it has an open weave which makes the holes easy to see.
Aida comes in numerous colours and different counts, the ‘count’ is the number of holes per inch (e.g. 14 count is 14 holes per inch)  so the lower number of holes per inch means that  a design stitched on 14 count would be larger that the same design stitched on 18 count. Aida fabric for beginners starts at 6 count and for more experienced stitchers it goes up to 22 count.

When stitching on Aida you would normally stitch over one square.

Evenweave

Technically this term can be given to any fabric that is woven evenly but Evenweave for cross stitch or blackwork is commonly found in the higher thread counts, such as 25, 28 and up to 40 count.

Linen

The main difference between Linen and Evenweave is that the threads in the Linen are of different thicknesses and this can mean that the finished design may not be as perfectly uniform as it is on Evenweave or Aida. Linen is also more commonly found in the higher thread counts.

Visual Differences between Fabrics