Pixel Skein alternative: Stitchloom
In short: Pixel Skein (pixelskein.com) is a good fuse beads (perler midi, 95 colours) tool. Stitchloom is a free photo-to-pattern maker for seven crafts in one place — cross stitch, Perler/Hama/Artkal beads, C2C crochet, knitting, diamond painting, brick mosaic and string art — with no sign-up, no watermark, free PDFs up to 60×60 and the first full-size PDF free (then $2.99 per photo or $7.99 for 30 days).
Stitchloom vs Pixel Skein
| Stitchloom | Pixel Skein | |
|---|---|---|
| Crafts | Cross stitch (DMC, Anchor), beads (Perler, Hama, Artkal), C2C/tapestry crochet, knitting, diamond painting, brick mosaic, string art | Fuse beads (Perler Midi, 95 colours) |
| Free | Free, no sign-up, no watermark: chart, key, materials CSV, PNG, PDF up to 60×60, first full-size PDF | Free, no sign-up, PNG without watermark |
| Paid | PDF $2.99 per photo or $7.99 for 30 days (one-off) | None listed |
| Downloads | PNG, PDF (symbol chart, key, materials, row instructions), materials CSV, OXS for cross stitch apps | PNG, colour & bead list |
| Account | Not needed | Not needed |
Checked on pixelskein.com and stitchloom.app in November 2026. Prices and limits change — check their site for the latest.
Where Pixel Skein is strong
- Runs in the browser, image never uploaded
- Interface in eight languages
- Board and isolated-bead counts
What Stitchloom adds
- Stitchloom adds Hama and Artkal palettes and five more crafts
- Printable multi-page PDF with symbol chart, key and materials (first one free)
- Daily free pattern
Questions
Is Stitchloom a free Pixel Skein alternative?
Yes. Stitchloom is free with no sign-up and no watermark for the chart, colour key, materials list, PNG, PDFs up to 60×60 and your first full-size PDF. Larger PDFs cost $2.99 per photo or $7.99 for 30 days.
What does Pixel Skein do well?
Runs in the browser, image never uploaded. Interface in eight languages. Board and isolated-bead counts.
How is Stitchloom different from Pixel Skein?
Stitchloom adds Hama and Artkal palettes and five more crafts. Printable multi-page PDF with symbol chart, key and materials (first one free). Daily free pattern.