Tips & Inspiration

Written by the Stitchly Studio editorial team · Last updated on June 8, 2026

If you're looking for a soothing, creative hobby that allows you to craft something beautiful from your own photos, you'll eventually come across two options: cross-stitch and diamond painting. At first glance, they seem similar — both involve working with a pattern of colored squares, and both result in a finished piece that can be framed. However, the creative experience, the look of the final product, and even the price differ considerably.

We sell custom photo embroidery kits and ready-made cross-stitch kits — so we have an opinion, and we'll share it honestly. But below, you'll also read where diamond painting truly excels. By the end, you'll know exactly what suits you best.

The short version: what's the difference?

In one sentence: with cross-stitch, you embroider each cross-shaped stitch yourself with a needle and thread through a woven fabric, while with diamond painting, you stick pre-cut glittering beads onto a self-adhesive canvas. Cross-stitch has existed for thousands of years; diamond painting originated in China in 2015 as a faster, more accessible variant.

That sounds minor, but it changes everything: the feeling during creation, the pace, how the work looks on a wall, and the way your photo is converted into a pattern. Below, we compare them across eight points that we believe are most important.

1. The technique: active embroidery vs. sticking

With cross-stitch, you work with a needle, thread (usually DMC or Anchor), and a woven fabric — often Aida or evenweave. Each square in your pattern becomes a cross that you make in two movements: one diagonal to the upper right, one to the upper left, done. It's a true artisanal act where your hand, eye, and pattern work together.

With diamond painting, your canvas comes with an adhesive layer and color codes on it. You use a wax pen to pick up small resin 'diamonds' (round or square), check the symbol, and press it onto the correct square. This is easier to learn, more rhythmic, and more satisfying in the short term — but less skilled in the sense that you don't build up techniques.

What this means for you

• Cross-stitch feels like drawing slowly with thread. You see your work grow by creating a tangible piece.
• Diamond painting feels more like puzzling. Satisfying, but repetitive in one way.

2. Time: how long does it take?

For a comparable size, diamond painting is quicker to complete — often about 30–50% faster than cross-stitch. Below is a guideline for moderate experience:

A more detailed cross-stitch estimate per size can be found in our guide how long does a cross-stitch take.

What this means: if you want something on the wall within two weeks by spending an hour a day in the evening, diamond painting is a better fit. If you want something that will last for months as a long-term project where you do a little bit each night, cross-stitch is the winner.

3. End result: matte thread vs. reflective stones

This is perhaps the most important difference — and it's often overlooked before people start a kit.

Cross-stitch has a textile, matte, and soft appearance. You see the fabric's texture and the thread's sheen. It works beautifully framed under a mat, feels warm, and pairs well with rural, Scandinavian, Japandi, or classic interior styles. It is essentially craftsmanship that can hang as art.

Diamond painting glitters. Literally. The resin beads reflect light in all directions, making the work sparkle — especially in the evening under lamplight. It fits better with playful, colorful, or modern interiors. Some people find the glitter too busy; others find it magical.

Our rule of thumb: place a finished work on the table where you want to hang it for 24 hours. Does it stylistically match the rest of the room? Then you'll know.

4. What you learn (and whether it matters)

With cross-stitch, you build real skills:

• Mastering fabric and thread tension
• Choosing the right needle and Aida count for your project
• Splitting threads into individual strands
• Learning backstitch, half cross-stitches, and French knots
• Finishing and framing your work

This allows you to build a genuine hobby with progression. After three kits, you'll notice you work faster, neater, and more independently. Some embroiderers eventually design their own patterns — a creative outlet that diamond painting doesn't have a counterpart for.

With diamond painting, the technique remains largely the same, from the first kit to the twentieth. This is an advantage if you're looking for a hobby with no learning curve. But if you enjoy getting better at something, it can feel flat after a few projects.

5. Long-term costs

One kit costs about the same — around €30 to €60 for a decent size. But the total long-term costs differ:

• Cross-stitch: thread is cheap (€0.99 per DMC strand), Aida is reusable from scraps, needles last for years. When you embroider more often, you'll spend less per project than buying a new kit — you already have a large stash.
• Diamond painting: each creation requires a new canvas + new stones. You can't reuse anything except your wax and pen.

For monthly hobbyists, this means cross-stitch is more attractive in the long run in terms of cost per hour of enjoyment.

6. Converting your own photo

Here's an important difference that many people only discover at the last minute: not every photo lends itself to both techniques.

Cross-stitch works best for photos with clear contours, recognizable main shapes, and not too much background noise — for example, portraits of dogs or cats, a lighthouse against a clear sky, or a facial close-up. Our conversion software at Custom Photo Embroidery Kit reduces the number of colors to 35–60 for 30×40 cm, so the pattern remains manageable.

Diamond painting can theoretically handle more color nuances (often 50–120 for the same size) and is therefore less dependent on sharp contrast. However, the canvas requires high resolution, and the stones are relatively large, so details smaller than 5 mm are lost.

For doubtful cases — a photo you're unsure about — a PDF pattern is an inexpensive way to see what the pattern looks like before ordering a physical kit.

7. Who is which hobby for?

Choose cross-stitch if you:

• Enjoy a tangible craft that you can grow in
• Want a meditative, slow evening activity
• Prefer a matte, classic end result over glitter
• Plan to embroider more often (cost advantage)
• Are looking for a hobby that combines old-fashioned tranquility and modern creativity

Choose diamond painting if you:

• Want to see quick results
• Love glitter, color, and playful finishes
• Don't want any manual skill or learning curve
• Want to do a one-off project — not a long-term hobby
• Suffer from fine motor skill issues or poor eyesight (the stones are larger than a needle, and the color contrast is higher)

8. Combining is also an option

Many people who come here for diamond painting end up doing cross-stitch as well after a few projects — and vice versa. They are not enemies; they complement each other. Diamond painting is fun for in-between projects during a busy week. Cross-stitch is what you pick up on vacation, on the couch on weekends, or when you want to make something truly personal as a memorial gift.

Frequently asked questions

Is diamond painting really less artisanal?

It's a more honest answer than it sometimes sounds: yes, diamond painting is technically less demanding than cross-stitch. That doesn't mean it's less valuable — less artisanal doesn't mean less relaxing or less beautiful. It's a different way of being creative. Judge it by what you seek from it, not by a hierarchy among hobbies.

Which is better for stress?

Both work. The rhythmic and repetitive nature activates similar neurological relaxation effects — comparable to knitting or crocheting. We delve deeper into this in our article on mindful embroidery. Those who find cross-stitch frustrating due to mistakes or counting might be better off with diamond painting; and vice versa.

Which is better as a gift for a beginner?

For beginners who want a quick sense of accomplishment, diamond painting is more accessible. For beginners who want to learn something they can do for years, a cross-stitch kit for beginners is better. Our embroidery kit selection guide helps you choose the right size and difficulty level.

Can I have my own photo converted into both?

Yes. At Stitchly Studio, we do this for cross-stitch with the Custom Photo Embroidery Kit — you upload the photo, we generate a live preview and send you the complete kit (Aida + DMC thread by number + needle + pattern). For diamond painting, similar services exist at specialized diamond painting stores.

Finally

There is no 'objectively best'. Diamond painting provides a beautiful, glittering result faster; cross-stitch offers a calmer rhythm, more craftsmanship, and a timeless finished piece. We are clearly fans of cross-stitch (and it's the core of what we do), but if you think 'that glitter suits my taste better,' that's a perfectly valid choice.

Want to try it yourself with your own photo? Then you can start with our Custom Photo Embroidery Kit — live preview, everything included, shipped within 48 hours. Or first check out our ready-made designs if you prefer not to start with your own photo.