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About evenweaves 
from  www.discountneedlework.com

Fabrics are listed with sizes, fiber content, and general purpose.  Where the name is not generic, but describes the product of a particular manufacturer, we say so. 

AIDA.  All purpose evenweave, typically cotton.   Well defined holes so the needle passes through the fabric easily.  Not too expensive, a good all purpose fabric.  Available in several widths (typically 30" and 42") and stitch counts (stitches per inch) of 8, 11, 14, 16, 18) Made by Charles Craft (lower price), Wichelt and Zweigart as well as other low cost producers for kits. The Charles Craft is sometimes called Classic Reserve.

Annabelle.  Afghan cloth by Zweigart.  100% cotton, 55" wide, 28 count (stitch over 2 when using designs charted for 14 count).

Anne Cloth.  Another Afghan cloth.

Cashel Linen (see Linen, below)

Congress Cloth - 24 count needlepoint canvas.  A cross between evenweave and canvas.

Edinborough (see linen, below)

Fiddler's Cloth - A homespun fabric by Charles Craft, 50% cotton, 42% polyester, 8% linen blend gives it a country or primitive style.   30" wide in 14 and 18 count.  (The 18 count is sometimes called Fiddler's II in patterns).  Try using this with Lizzie Kate or other simple designs.

Fiddler's Lite - Charles Craft.  Same fabric content as Fiddler's cloth but the color is a bit lighter and softer.  30" wide, available in 14 and 18 count.

Hopscotch.  15x15" squares with a 7 5/8" center by Charles Craft.  100% cotton, the entire surface is stitchable.   Looks like a large single stripe plaid, comes in several colors.  Or buy it in tartan design (2 stripes), available in squares or 59x72" afghan cut.  The "Corner block" version has 3 stripes woven into a plaid design.  Same size.

Hardanger - A 22 count 100%  cotton fabric just right for doing cut/drawn thread work (often called Hardanger embroidery).  Available in 30" width from Charles Craft or 43" from Zweigart.  Typically sold in white or ivory, is also available in other colors.

Huck cloth.  Not typically sold by the yard, although it is available that way.  More often ready made into towels.  Use for huck or Swedish weaving, or buy with an AIDA insert for stitching.  (They make great towels - absorbent but not nubby like terry, and less lint) We like the Showcase Huck Towels by Charles Craft with a panel instead of a stripe so that your design is centered even when the towel is folded. 

Jubilee.  
100% cotton, 55" wide, 28 stitch count by Zweigart 3232.  An alternative to linen, somewhat like the Charles Craft Monaco.

Klostern - Very rough, large count fabric by Zweigart, good for primitive designs, or those with poor eyesight.  Makes all the designs much larger unless they are specifically designed for 7 count Klostern.  60% rayon, 40% cotton.  Often sold in a 48x55" afghan cut.  Several colors available.

Lugana.  By Zweigart.   52% cotton, 48% viscose fabric with a nice drape.  It's finer texture is sometimes preferred over AIDA.  Since its 25 count it doesn't create the same size design as one charted for 14 count AIDA, even when stitched over 2 (its bigger, which may be a good thing!)

Monaco.  "The elegance of linen with the ease and durability of 100% cotton".  Lovely fabric by Charles Craft.   Perfect for heirloom needlework or ribbon embroidery, or substitute for AIDA and stitch over 2 as with linen.  28 count, 30" wide.  Available in several colors.

Linen.  The Charles Craft Linen is called "Irish Linen" and comes 30" wide in 20, 28 and 32 count (various colors).   The Zweigart linen is called Cashel in 28 count, 55" wide.  Their 32 count linen is called Belfast, also 55" wide.  Linen is available in a wide range of colors,and new ones are always being introduced, much to the dismay and confusion of stores and the consuming public.  The 36 count Zweigart linen is called Edinborough (and isn't used that often).  Linen has small imperfections in the thread ("slubs") that make it a little less even than Monaco.  

Needlepoint canvas.  2 different kinds. "Mono" canvas has threads that are actually woven.  The canvas is more "giving" as a result.  And more expensive.  "Interlock" canvas has the warp and weft threads "locked" together where they intersect.   Much cheaper, but many people find it harder to work (the needle doesn't pull through as easily, especially with heavier threads or metallics).  Sold in various counts from very large holes for rugs (7 or 8 count) to about 18 count, in 40" and 54" inch widths.

Penelope canvas - Very popular in Europe.  This fabric is woven to permit stitching in 2 sizes of holes.  Stitch in the little ones for 20 count (petit point), or the large ones for 10 count (gros point).  Most often used for screen printed canvas since it is very flat.  Not as flexible as fabric, but more so than "needlepoint canvas".

Royal Classic by Charles Craft (different from Classic Reserve).  Easy care, machine washable evenweave, similar to AIDA. A blend of Trevira and Viscose so it is permanent press.  Great for tablecloths, napkins, breadcovers or afghans.  Softer than AIDA.  60" wide, 14 and 18 count.

Salem cloth - Not typically sold by the yard, though it is available in yardage.  More often made into prefinished items like sachets, breadcloths, placemats, napkins, runners,   and such.  100% machine washable polyester, almost no ironing.   Prefringed.

Tula - 60% rayon, 40% cotton fabric by Zweigart.   Large 10 count fabric that looks like a cross between AIDA and Klostern.

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