Pat, I've used linen and aida mostly. Nowadays the high thread counts are harder on my eyes but I love the way it looks. When I use the higher counts I go over 2 threads- anything over 18.
I have a sampler I did in the 80's from 28 count Linda- I could never do that now!
I hope you show your project when you get it finished. I find cross-stitch relaxing, like quilting.