KXStitch – cross stitch pattern editor

KXStitch is an open source cross stitch pattern creator and editor. It allows the use of existing patterns, like those made by PC Stitch 5.

The software makes use of various floss pallets, including DMC, Anchor, and Madeira. Users can also create custom pallets and colors. The software uses standard stitches. Users can print patterns and floss keys.

Patterns can be created from scratch on a user defined size of grid, which can be enlarged or reduced in size as your pattern progresses. Alternatively you can import images from many graphics formats which will allow you to reduce the number of colours and to restrict the conversion to full stitches or optionally use fractional stitches. You may also use an image as a background. These imported images can then be modified using the supplied tools to produce your final design.

Features include:

• Creation of new patterns.
• User defined size.
• Selection of material colour.
• Insertion of a background image for tracing.
• Importing of various image formats.
• Importing options allow:
  • Limiting the number of colours.
• • Limiting colours to a specific palette.
• • Scaling to a finished size.
• • Support for transparancy in images.
• • Allow the use of fractional stitches.
• Editing of existing patterns – KXStitch is also capable of reading PC Stitch 5 files
  • Open and filled rectangles.
• • Open and filled ellipses.
• • Filled polylines.
• • Painting.
• • Lines.
• • Erasing stitches, knots and backstitches.
• • Colour selection from existing stitches.
• • Swapping two colours.
• • Replace one colour with another.
• • Text with user defined fonts and sizes.
  • Cut, copy and paste of rectangular regions. Stitch type and colour masks can be used to limit selections. You may also exclude backstitches and french knots.
• • Undo, Redo.
  • Mirroring, horizontally and vertically. Stitch type and colour masks can be used to limit selections. You may also exclude backstitches and french knots.
• • Rotation, 90, 180 and 270 degrees anti clockwise. Stitch type and colour masks can be used to limit selections. You may also exclude backstitches and french knots.
• • Resizing of the canvas:
• • • Extend canvas left, top, right, bottom.
• • • Cropping canvas to pattern.
• • • Croping canvas to selection.
• • Inserting rows and columns:
• • Center the pattern on the canvas.
• Conversion between floss schemes.
• Use of various floss pallets, DMC, Anchor, Madeira, JP Coates.
• Creation of custom palettes and colours.
• Use of standard stitches.
• Free use of backstitching.
• Importing of various picture formats.
• Printing of patterns and floss keys with fully customised layouts.
• Pattern library manager:
  • Create new library patterns.
• • Insert library patterns into a design.
• • Assign key press to patterns for use with the Alphabet tool.
• Mapping of symbols to flosses.
• Specify the number of threads for stitches and backstitches.
• Calibration of floss colours.
• Internationalization support: English, American English, Catalan, Spanish, Czech and Italian.

Website: www.kde.org/applications/graphics/kxstitch
Support: Handbook, GitHub Code Repository
Developer: Stephen Allewell
License: GNU General Public License v2.0

KXStitch is written in C++. Learn C++ with our recommended free books and free tutorials.

Return to Crafting Tools

Popular series
	The largest compilation of the best free and open source software in the universe. Each article is supplied with a legendary ratings chart helping you to make informed decisions.
	Hundreds of in-depth reviews offering our unbiased and expert opinion on software. We offer helpful and impartial information.
	The Big List of Active Linux Distros is a large compilation of actively developed Linux distributions.
	Replace proprietary software with open source alternatives: Google, Microsoft, Apple, Adobe, IBM, Autodesk, Oracle, Atlassian, Corel, Cisco, Intuit, and SAS.
	Awesome Free Linux Games Tools showcases a series of tools that making gaming on Linux a more pleasurable experience. This is a new series.
	Machine Learning explores practical applications of machine learning and deep learning from a Linux perspective. We've written reviews of more than 40 self-hosted apps. All are free and open source.
	New to Linux? Read our Linux for Starters series. We start right at the basics and teach you everything you need to know to get started with Linux.
	Alternatives to popular CLI tools showcases essential tools that are modern replacements for core Linux utilities.
	Essential Linux system tools focuses on small, indispensable utilities, useful for system administrators as well as regular users.
	Linux utilities to maximise your productivity. Small, indispensable tools, useful for anyone running a Linux machine.
	Surveys popular streaming services from a Linux perspective: Amazon Music Unlimited, Myuzi, Spotify, Deezer, Tidal.
	Saving Money with Linux looks at how you can reduce your energy bills running Linux.
	Home computers became commonplace in the 1980s. Emulate home computers including the Commodore 64, Amiga, Atari ST, ZX81, Amstrad CPC, and ZX Spectrum.
	Now and Then examines how promising open source software fared over the years. It can be a bumpy ride.
	Linux at Home looks at a range of home activities where Linux can play its part, making the most of our time at home, keeping active and engaged.
	Linux Candy reveals the lighter side of Linux. Have some fun and escape from the daily drudgery.
	Getting Started with Docker helps you master Docker, a set of platform as a service products that delivers software in packages called containers.
	Best Free Android Apps. We showcase free Android apps that are definitely worth downloading. There's a strict eligibility criteria for inclusion in this series.
	These best free books accelerate your learning of every programming language. Learn a new language today!
	These free tutorials offer the perfect tonic to our free programming books series.
	Linux Around The World showcases usergroups that are relevant to Linux enthusiasts. Great ways to meet up with fellow enthusiasts.
	Stars and Stripes is an occasional series looking at the impact of Linux in the USA.