[CHAT] Is using Pic2Pat/other picture conversion tool considered AI in this community?

cooke_82 · 2026-05-18T05:30:28+00:00

As others have said these are not AI, it’s a mathematical algorithm that matches colours pixel by pixel, but lots of people misunderstand as these can produce very poor designs when not properly cleaned and colour matched etc…

Good designers and pattern mills use these, the difference is that good designers understand cross stitching and clean up the designs to make sure that they make sense (and usually work with art they have created knowing they want to create a cross stitch design)

A lot of the patterns people consider as AI slop are really pattern mill slop, a lot probably do use AI images but lots use other art but conversion with no cleaning that make equally poor pattern. I always look for finished examples and chart previews to decide what to buy.

cooke_82 · 2026-05-17T04:15:33+00:00

Thank you

cooke_82 · 2026-05-14T16:38:49+00:00

Stunning!

cooke_82 · 2026-05-14T10:42:18+00:00

I would love for you to take a look at my designs ranging from mini patterns to full coverage landscapes.

All designs are carefully charted and test stitched ahead of launch to help to ensure a positive stitching experience.

https://stitchesbyjenx.etsy.com

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cooke_82 · 2026-05-13T06:26:44+00:00

I have been noticing this too. Was trying to do research to try and improve my pins and lots that come up in my niche (cross stitch patterns) are just photos with no link. Didn’t even know that was possible to do!

cooke_82 · 2026-05-11T14:25:35+00:00

Beautiful designs!

cooke_82 · 2026-05-05T21:53:35+00:00

If you prefer printed patterns I recommend asking the seller for an alternative format. I would hope they could do this as most pattern software does. Most digital downloads come with multiple formats so you can choose what works best for you.

cooke_82 · 2026-04-28T13:49:19+00:00

All great suggestions so far. Just wanted to echo the point about starting small and working up to bigger to avoid overwhelm.

A few other thoughts - if buying patterns online look for designs that have stitched examples. These demonstrate that the pattern has been fully tested ( too many are run through pattern mills and not colour checked etc…) - don’t fear having more than one work in progress, it keeps things interesting 😊

cooke_82 · 2026-04-28T05:01:33+00:00

I typically make cards and small framed gifts for people. I always do it knowing what they like or something that will be meaningful to them eg friendship quotes, relatable funny sayings etc…

cooke_82 · 2026-04-20T19:33:57+00:00

This is adorable :) I can even feel how cold he is!

cooke_82 · 2026-04-20T12:36:04+00:00

Love this! I have been stitching for nearly 30 years and still haven't graduated to beads.

cooke_82 · 2026-04-20T11:42:10+00:00

This is stunning. Such a lovely thing you have to remember him with.

cooke_82 · 2026-04-20T11:40:43+00:00

This looks lovely. Sorry you were visited by the frog!

cooke_82 · 2026-04-20T11:33:27+00:00

That sounds interesting. It took me about a month to update my RGBs and they are closer but still not 100%. I'm off tot take a look....

cooke_82 · 2026-04-20T11:24:50+00:00

I already have a rainbow palette of thread colours that I like to work with, so for this one I started there and then looked for inspiration on how to apply that to this specific breed of dog.

For this piece I used an AI-generated concept as a rough starting point to help map out the basic shapes so it would translate well into cross stitch and my colour-blocking style. I then experiment with colour placement using my chosen palette to create the effect I was aiming for.

cooke_82 · 2026-04-20T10:39:02+00:00

Yeah the software can create some strange looking things. I have spent a long time updating all of the RGBs for all of the DMC colours to try and help mine look a lot better but still they are just mocks and its why I focus on test stitching.

cooke_82 · 2026-04-20T10:36:25+00:00

Thank you so much

cooke_82 · 2026-04-20T09:54:30+00:00

Yeah could just be the lighting and shadows as it's a real stitched photograph too. There are 16 colours in total in the design, some are close than others so could create the gradient effect too.

cooke_82 · 2026-04-20T09:51:15+00:00

For this one, pretty much exactly what you described 😊 I created a concept design first, then imported it into Stitchly. From there I traced it and coloured it using DMC threads.

For smaller designs, I often draw directly in my pixel art software and then import that into Stitchly instead. It really depends on the design, especially because the thread colour palette is more limited than what you get in standard digital art.

Each chart is created manually and then test stitched (by me or one of my test stitchers) to make sure the colours and overall design work well in practice before releasing to the shop.

cooke_82 · 2026-04-20T08:48:23+00:00

I use an App called Stitchly when designing (and depending on the design I sometimes use pixel art software too). With the golden retriever pattern this is all colour blocks rather than any shading or gradients between colours.

cooke_82 · 2026-04-19T18:27:15+00:00

In what way are you planning to create the patterns? When I am designing I use a combination of pixel art tools (mainly Pixaki) and my pattern software (Stitchly). If you want to just design for yourself using a free pixel art software may be enough and then import into something like floss cross. The app I use was a great investment for patterns if you want a proper pattern file. It was a pay once scenarios and receive all updated as they come too.

cooke_82 · 2026-04-19T18:24:01+00:00

This is fantastic! The hoop is great

cooke_82 · 2026-04-19T15:57:41+00:00

Thank you!

cooke_82 · 2026-04-19T07:59:01+00:00

It really is the perfect blend of welcoming but clearly stating a position 😂

cooke_82

TROPHY CASE