Christmas cross stitch

[ChippyTea16]

Hello all! I’m thinking of taking up cross stitch this year, I used to love doing it as a child but I have no idea where to start. Does anyone have any recommendations for good cross stitch kits? I have looked on amazon but the designs look really complicated! I want to do some Xmas designs and maybe make them into coasters (or at least decorations I can use).

Has anyone else done this?

Christmas Cross Stitch Cards

Could try something like this? I've got some of these this year, they're small so not too overwhelming like bigger kits!

Have a look at Caterpillar cross stitch. She does kits and its a small business.

Frosted pumpkin stitchery also have lovely designs for Christmas

Have fun!

Oooh have a look at Permin of Copenhagen, beautiful kits. Also maybe Lanarte? Their Marjolein Bastin kits are gorgeous, I don’t think they have much in terms of Christmas stuff but it would be a great Christmas gist to yourself 😜 and if you get a big one it’s a loooong project.

Gift not gist

I would buy a Christmas edition of a cross stitch magazine. They usually have loads of patterns and free kits. They rate the patterns from easy to hard and do everything from cards to decorations. It’s a cheap way of trying it out and if you like it then there are lots of specialist web sites (sew and sew etc) that sell kits/

Ooh thank you all for the suggestions I’m going to check these out! Excited to get started

I only do big Christmas cross stitches, so can't help with coaster-sized ones. Have fun with them!

You can get cross stitch coaster kits on Ebay, probably Etsy too.

I recommend Satsuma Street designs, patterns can be bought in etsy. Some fab Christmas and Halloween decs. I'm in the middle of her Halloween sampler and plan to make the Deer stocking next....

Ooh they're good Cotton I like the Halloween ones.

This is a great thread for ideas actually. I've only recently taken up cross stitch, and mainly been doing the little Mouseloft kits. They're really easy and I'm quite surprised with how much I've liked them when they're finished (great size for cards and coasters OP)
But... I think I'm ready to try something new, so will check out these recommendations.

Thanks for the thread OP!

Can I ask a really dumb question...

Do these kits have a pic Printed on the canvas so you know where to sew each colour?

Thanks

@PinkFluffyForeskin

Can I ask a really dumb question...

Do these kits have a pic Printed on the canvas so you know where to sew each colour?

Thanks

No, generally it’s a chart you follow, matching the symbols on the chart to a stitch on your fabric. (Counted cross stitch).

I think the ones you mean are more popular in America (certainly in the groups I follow anyway). They’re more like a paint by numbers (printed cross stitch).

@Marmite27 thanks yes it’s those type of “colour by number” Kits that I’m looking for.

Try Hobbycraft as well.

I think you can get ones with the picture printed on, but all of the kits I've done (and most of the ones I've seen) are, like marmite said, counted cross stitch. You have a chart with different symbols for all the colours and you count where they go on your fabric.

I think embroidery is printed on, isn't it? I'm quite keen to give that a go too as I've seen some lovely patterns.

@IfeellikeaJoan maybe I mean embroidery- I’ll have a look at that. Thanks

The only problem I’ve found with printed canvases is the quality of the printing, if the colour isn’t clear or the printing it slightly awry it can affect the overall look. I much prefer a separate printed chart sheet then I can colour in the squares as I complete the stick he’s.

cotton that etsy has some beautiful designs thankyou! I usually stick to embroidery but for some reason at christmas I like cross stitch, i've now got the joy hanger and ornament set to work on.

I'd like to try embroidery forest, I've seen some lovely designs. Is it a lot harder than cross stitch?

I don't think it's harder just more to learn as theirs many different stitches. In a way its easier as its easier to hide mistakes. Definitely give it a go, I would find a beginners pattern or a stitch sampler pattern first as that should teach you the basic stitches. I think the area most beginners go wrong in is fabric tension. If your fabric isn't tense enough in the hoop it'll never be neat. Theirs lots of YouTube videos on it.
I find it easier to switch off doing embroidery as once you've drawn the pattern you can do it while watching or listening to something as you're not constantly referring back to a chart.

I love Dimensions cross stitch kits, they are bigger but not too complicated. They are cheapest on amazon. I did this one of mine last year.

Thanks forest I'll definitely give it a go. I think I'll stick to cross stitch for cards and decorations for this Christmas, as I know what I'm doing, then take up embroidery in the new year.

Is it sad that I'm quite excited about this plan

I always wanted to do a HUGE Christmas cross stitch so I could hang it and feel like I had nearly finished decorating the house!

That's lovely kirstos!