Christmas Counted Cross Stitch Kits: How to Choose One
A Christmas counted cross stitch kit gives you a holiday design plus the materials to stitch it. You do not have to pick fabric or match thread colors, so you can start the day the kit arrives. This guide explains what comes in a kit, the main types, and how to choose one that fits your skill and your schedule.
What comes in a Christmas cross stitch kit
Most counted cross stitch kits include:
- Fabric, usually Aida
- Cotton floss in every color the design needs, often sorted on a card
- A needle
- A chart and instructions
Some kits add extras such as beads, felt for the back, or a hoop. Kits rarely include scissors or a frame. Read the contents list on the package so you know what else to buy.
Counted or stamped?
Check the package for one of these two words.
- Counted means the fabric is blank. You follow the chart and count squares.
- Stamped or printed means the design comes printed on the fabric. You stitch over the marks.
This guide covers counted kits. If you do not want to count, look for a stamped kit instead.
Types of Christmas kits
- Ornament kits. Small designs, often sold as a set of several ornaments. These are the fastest to finish.
- Card kits. A tiny design plus a card to mount it in.
- Picture and sampler kits. Medium to large designs you frame.
- Stocking kits. Large kits that make a full stocking. See counted cross stitch Christmas stockings.
How to choose a kit
Match the kit to your skill
Many brands print a skill level on the package. If the package does not show one, check the stitches. A kit that uses only whole cross stitches is easier than one with quarter stitches, backstitch, and French knots.
Check the fabric count
14-count Aida is the easiest to see. 16 and 18 count have smaller squares and take more patience.
Check the finished size
The package lists the finished size. A bigger design takes longer. If you want to finish before this Christmas, choose a small kit.
Count the colors
Fewer colors means less thread changing and a faster project.
How to start your kit
- Read the instructions all the way through.
- Sort the floss and match each color to its symbol on the chart.
- Find the center of the fabric by folding it in half twice.
- Find the center of the chart. Most charts mark it with arrows.
- Start stitching at the center and work outward.
Need a refresher on the stitch itself? Read cross stitch for beginners.
Tips for finishing on time
- Set a small goal for each session, such as one color or one section.
- Mark the chart as you finish each area.
- Leave time for finishing. Framing an ornament or a picture takes time too.
- Save the leftover floss. It comes in handy for small ornaments later.
Common questions
Are Christmas cross stitch kits good for beginners?
Yes, if you pick a small one. A set of simple ornaments or a single small picture on 14-count Aida is a good start.
Does a kit include enough thread?
A kit includes the thread the design calls for. Use the number of strands the instructions tell you to use so you do not run short.
What if I only want the design?
Buy a pattern and choose your own fabric and thread. See Christmas counted cross stitch patterns.
