A digital chart represents positions, not a picture printed directly onto fabric. Each colored cell in this tool is one full cross, while a blank cell means no stitch at that location.
Use symbols and the legend together
Each palette entry receives a letter symbol. Find the symbol in the legend to identify the color and approximate thread reference. Do not rely only on colored squares, especially when printing or when shades are similar. The studio currently supports full crosses, not backstitch lines, fractional stitches, or blended-thread symbols. Plan those details separately if your design needs them.
Count from a known point
Use the heavier ten-cell guides and chart coordinates to establish a reference. Compare the design width and height with your fabric dimensions before beginning. A blank region inside the chart still occupies counted space even though it receives no stitches. When using tiled pages, follow the coordinate labels so overlapping rows are not counted twice.
Mark progress carefully
Progress mode toggles completion marks for existing stitched cells without changing their colors. Arrow keys move the focused cell, and Space applies the selected action in the canvas. Completion is a personal tracking aid, not an automatic reading of your fabric. Save a JSON project to preserve it. Before editing a design you have begun stitching, keep a separate backup so new colors or dimensions do not overwrite your original record.
Find one ten-by-ten region, match its symbols to the legend, and check its coordinates before stitching.
Create my patternFurther reading
Our guides offer general planning advice. Chart colors are digital approximations. Choose physical floss from a real color card or your own stash before a large project. Fabric and thread estimates describe full crosses with your entered stitch length and allowance. Backstitch, half stitches, unusual carries, and finishing need separate planning. We do not claim hands-on tests of products mentioned in buying guides.