I have done quite a bit of cross stitch and I find I don't like Aida. I always use linen. You can find it in many colors and it is much easier on the hands. Just make sure the linen is an even weave (meaning the holes are all the same size). Take a small ruler with you when you go to buy it to see how many holes there are to the inch. Then you can figure out how much fabric the pattern will use.