Comparison

Cross Stitch Journal vs Pattern Maker for Cross Stitch

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Cross Stitch Journal

This app helps you manage your cross stitch projects from initial idea to finished piece. Track progress, record stitching details, and visualize your accomplishments with various charts and summaries. It also includes a fabric calculator and data import functionality.

Highlights
  • Track projects from start to finish
  • Record date, time, and stitches
  • Built-in stitching timer
  • Project progress and status charts
  • Fabric size calculator
  • Data import from spreadsheet
Features
Read full description

Cross Stitch Journal is the best app for tracking your cross stitch projects from start to finish. When you find a design that you would like to stitch, create a project in the Wishlist. From there the project can be moved from the Wishlist through the Have Chart, Ready to Start, Started, and Finished stages as you collect supplies and stitch your project. The list of Finished projects can be used to documents all your stitching accomplishments. Features - Track projects from start to finish - Record date, time and stitches every time that you stitch a project - Use the built-in timer to record times when you start and stop stitching - Started project summary shows completed stitches, percentage complete, and number of remaining stitching days to completion - Project charts show project progress over time - Project status charts show percentage complete for each started project - Summary charts show projects stitched over a certain time period. - Dashboard view shows the number of projects in each stage - List projects in each stage (I think this belongs at the top of the list along with other general uses like track projects and record stitching days) - Project logs show when a project was stitched - Fabric calculator can be used to easily calculate fabric size for any fabric count - Pause projects to remove them from project lists. - Archived projects are permanently removed from project lists. - Deleted projects also remove logs for that project. - Previous data tracked using the Cross Stitch Journal spreadsheet can be imported into the app. Cross Stitch Journal can be used for free to track up to three projects. Unlocking the app will allow you to track an unlimited number of projects. Unlocking will also allow you to import data from the Cross Stitch Journal spreadsheet. Download Cross Stitch Journal and start tracking your cross stitching today.

About

Pattern Maker for Cross Stitch

Create cross stitch patterns from scratch or by converting your photos. Easily track your progress and highlight specific colors. Save or print your designs for your next embroidery project.

Highlights
  • Generate patterns from photos
  • Draw custom patterns
  • Highlight specific colors
  • Mark completed stitches
  • Export and print patterns
  • iCloud backup and sync
Features
Read full description

Pattern Maker is a cross stitch app that lets you draw patterns from scratch or generate patterns from photos. Draw Patterns: Create your own patterns with useful editing tools. Generate Patterns: Choose a photo and generate a cross stitch pattern automatically. Highlight Colors: Highlight a specific color to easily see where it's used. Keep Track of Progress: Tap a stitch to mark it as completed. Export & Print: Save or print the pattern template. Data Is Backed Up: Patterns and palettes are backed up securely to iCloud and synchronized across your devices. No sign-in is required. If you have any suggestions on how to improve Pattern Maker, feel free to contact App Support. A Pro subscription unlocks additional editing tools, unlimited patterns, marking completed stitches, exporting patterns and custom palettes. Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Cross Stitch Journal4 screens
Pattern Maker for Cross Stitch4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Cross Stitch Journal at 83% against Pattern Maker for Cross Stitch's 0%. Cross Stitch Journal also leads on rating (4.8 vs 4.2). On price, ratings volume, update cadence and ads there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Cross Stitch Journal sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Pattern Maker for Cross Stitch sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $8.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Cross Stitch Journal holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.2. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 26 and 15 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 83% of Cross Stitch Journal's written reviews are positive against 0% of Pattern Maker for Cross Stitch's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 25, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Cross Stitch Journal versus Pattern Maker for Cross Stitch: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterCross Stitch JournalPattern Maker for Cross Stitch
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (26 ratings) — better4.2 (15 ratings)
Positive reviews83.3% of reviews — better0.0% of reviews
Number of ratings26 — better15
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksEvery 3 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFreemiumFreemium
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Apple Watch — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS17.617.6
Further details — not scored
Size36 MB14 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperBlitstitch Labs LLCHavard Tryman

Customer experience

Cross Stitch Journal

All ratings26 ratings
Positive96.2%
Neutral0.0%
Negative3.8%
Written reviews12 reviews
Positive83.3%
Neutral8.3%
Negative8.3%

Pattern Maker for Cross Stitch

All ratings13 ratings
Positive76.9%
Neutral0.0%
Negative23.1%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Cross Stitch Journal

One-time1
  • Unlock Full Application$5.99
2 purchases

Pattern Maker for Cross Stitch

Subscriptions2
  • Pro3 Days trial$8.997 Days
  • Pro$24.991 Year

Questions

Is Cross Stitch Journal free?
Cross Stitch Journal is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Pattern Maker for Cross Stitch free?
Pattern Maker for Cross Stitch is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Cross Stitch Journal or Pattern Maker for Cross Stitch?
Cross Stitch Journal is rated higher. Cross Stitch Journal averages 4.8 out of 5 from 26 ratings, while Pattern Maker for Cross Stitch averages 4.2 from 15 ratings.
Do Cross Stitch Journal or Pattern Maker for Cross Stitch have ads?
Neither Cross Stitch Journal nor Pattern Maker for Cross Stitch shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Cross Stitch Journal or Pattern Maker for Cross Stitch?
Cross Stitch Journal ships an update every 3 weeks, and Pattern Maker for Cross Stitch every 3 weeks. Most recently, Cross Stitch Journal was updated on October 25, 2026 and Pattern Maker for Cross Stitch on October 31, 2026.

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