Use this specially created app to create patterns out of photos for cross stitching.

Stitched generates cross-stitch patterns using images from the Photo Library. Stitched allows for fine tuning of patterns. Filter the source source image, change the stitch size and thickness, select particular color groups, and omit colors from a pattern. Additional colors can be added to the palette numerically (by tapping on the "+" button) or from sampling photos (by long pressing the "+" button then the displayed image) and be organized into collections.

Further refine your patterns by manually changing the color (by tapping on a stitch) and removing stitches (by long pressing on individual stitches).

Cross-stitch patterns can be saved locally, exported as an image with a color legend or as text in a CSV format for other applications, or shared publicly in iCloud. Shared patterns can be viewed with the free StitchedView app.