Counted cross stitch is stitched on several kinds of cloth.  The most common is Aida.   This cloth is evenly woven with clearly defined squares and empty points for each angle.  The cloth comes in a variety of colors and cuts from 11 to 22 counted squares per inch.

Aida can also be found with background shadings and prints.

I would suggest that this type of fabric would make very unique pillows utilizing very simple patterns or perhaps outlining the print in a complementary color.

Counted cross stitch can also be done on pre-printed Aida cloth. These beautiful Cardinals use the traditional cross stitch, but do not require counting.  One simply follows the colors on the printed cloth.  Especially easy for the beginning counted cross stitcher.  (This design and many others can be found in My Counted Cross Stitch Store in the No Count Cross Stitch Room)

Other fabrics for counted cross stitch include Fiddlers Cloth, Irish Linen, Hardanger, Huck toweling, Waste Canvas and many more.  All that is required to complete a counted cross stitch chart is an even weave fabric, floss, needles, attention to detail, and time.

Happy stitching!

Marie