on linen or other than aida: normally you stitch 2 over 2 - starting point plus 2 "strands" of fabric - 3 holes in a row means 2 over 2 (1 hole, 1 strand, 1 hole, one strand, one hole), so for a complete cross you have a little quarter 3x3 holes - on aida this would be 2x2 holes
1 over 1 is one ole, one strand, one hole - is much more tiny than 2 over 2 .. sorry for the confusing english, hope you did undertstand a bit, if not - take a look to Mr.Google =)
I stitch also 1 over 1 if I use linen. It looks more fine to me.
Also when I stitch biscornu I use Linen. It comes smaller.
But yes, it kills the eyes :D
Mi preferido es el lino, solo tengo un poco que alguien me regalo pero aun tengo el suficiente como para hacer un Sampler,algun dia lo intentaré con 2 sobre 2 o si soy valiente 1 sobre uno;P