The Best Cross Stitch Kits for Beginners: Our Willow Cottage Picks

If you were visiting us here at Willow Cottage and told me that you wanted to try cross stitch for the first time, I would probably start pulling a few different kits off the shelf for you.

Not because there is one perfect beginner kit for everyone, but because the right kit should feel exciting and approachable. It should make you want to go home, make a cup of tea, settle into your favourite chair, and begin stitching.

A good beginner kit removes as much uncertainty as possible. You should not have to spend your first afternoon wondering whether you have the correct fabric or whether you selected the right thread colours.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through what we look for in a beginner-friendly cross stitch kit, which fabrics are easiest to start with, and a few of the styles and brands we often recommend at Willow Cottage.

You can also browse our cross stitch kits collection to see the kits currently available in the shop.

What should a beginner cross stitch kit include?

Ideally, a beginner cross stitch kit should include most of the following:

1. A printed cross stitch chart

2. Cross stitch fabric

3. The required embroidery floss

Most kits will require you to purchase a needle, hoop, frame, backing fabric, or finishing supplies separately as many of these items are personal preference.

It is important to read the product description carefully before ordering to see if you'll need any items not included in the kit. We explain exactly what is included in each Willow Cottage kit so there are no surprises when your parcel arrives.

If a kit does not include everything you need, we carry cross stitch needles, cross stitch fabrics, finishing supplies, trims, thread conditioners, frames, and other little extras that can help you complete your project.

What makes a cross stitch kit beginner-friendly?

The picture on the front of the kit may be what first catches your attention, but there are a few other things I would consider before choosing your first project.

Is the design a manageable size?

Small and medium-sized projects are usually the most encouraging for a beginner.

A tiny project is not always easier if it contains dozens of thread colours or very intricate stitches, but a design that can be completed within a reasonable amount of time gives you the satisfaction of seeing steady progress.

Ornaments, small samplers, pincushions, decorative pillows, and framed motifs can all be lovely first projects.

I would generally save a very large sampler or heavily detailed reproduction piece until you know whether you enjoy the process.

Does the pattern use mostly full cross stitches?

A pattern made primarily with full cross stitches is easier to follow than one containing many fractional stitches, over-one sections, specialty stitches, or complicated backstitching.

A little backstitch is perfectly manageable for a beginner, especially when it is used to add simple outlines or details. You simply may not want your first project to depend on several unfamiliar techniques.

Are the symbols easy to read?

Look for a chart with clearly printed symbols and enough contrast between them.

When several symbols look almost identical, such as a dot, tiny circle, and square, the pattern can become frustrating. Larger printed charts are especially helpful when you are still learning how to count and keep your place.

Are there too many thread colours?

A beautiful project can certainly use many colours, but fewer colours usually make a first project easier to organize.

You will spend less time sorting floss and checking symbols, and more time becoming comfortable with the actual stitching.

Is Aida or linen better for a beginner?

Aida is often recommended for beginners because its woven squares create a very clear grid. Each cross stitch is placed within one visible square, making it easier to count your stitches and see where the needle should enter the fabric.

That does not mean every beginner must use Aida.

Evenweave and linen can also be wonderful choices, particularly if you love the softer, more traditional appearance they create. Many of our customers are drawn to linen immediately because it is part of what gives European-style cross stitch its beautiful, timeless character.

The most important question is whether you can see the fabric comfortably.

If looking at the weave causes eye strain before you have even started stitching, choose a lower count or a fabric with a more defined grid. Good lighting and magnification can help tremendously, but stitching should still feel enjoyable.

You can learn more in our complete beginner’s guide to cross stitch and our Aida versus linen fabric guide.

What fabric count is best for a first cross stitch kit?

For many beginners, we recommend starting with one of these options:

14-count Aida

Fourteen-count Aida has 14 squares per inch. The holes are easy to see, and the finished stitches are large enough to work comfortably.

It is one of the simplest fabrics for learning how to form consistent stitches and count across a pattern.

28-count evenweave or linen

When 28-count fabric is stitched over two fabric threads, it produces the same finished stitch size as 14-count Aida.

This can be a lovely way to learn how to stitch on linen or evenweave without immediately moving to a very fine fabric.

The needle travels over two threads horizontally and two threads vertically for each full cross stitch.

16-count or 18-count Aida

These counts create a slightly smaller finished design than 14-count Aida. They can be a good choice if you are comfortable seeing the holes and prefer a finer, more compact appearance.

32-count linen or evenweave

Thirty-two-count fabric, stitched over two threads, is comparable to 16-count Aida.

Some beginners find 32-count very comfortable, particularly with good lighting. Others prefer to begin with 28-count until they are more familiar with counting the fabric threads.

We also carry beautiful 36-count and 40-count linens. These finer counts produce a very delicate result, but they would not usually be my first recommendation for someone who is completely new to cross stitch.

Of course, there are always exceptions. If you have excellent close vision, enjoy fine handwork, and have fallen completely in love with a particular pattern, you may be perfectly happy beginning with a higher count.

What are our favourite types of cross stitch kits for beginners?

Rather than choosing by brand name alone, I would begin by looking at the style of project and what is included.

Here are the types of kits I would be most likely to show you in the studio.

Which kit is the best all-around choice for a beginner?

A smaller complete kit using 14-count Aida or 28-count evenweave is usually the safest all-around choice.

Look for a kit with:

1. A clear chart

2. Fewer thread colours

3. Mostly full cross stitches

4. A recognizable central motif

5. Fabric and floss included

6. Minimal complicated finishing

This type of kit allows you to learn the rhythm of cross stitch without needing to make too many additional decisions.

Take a look through our beginner cross stitch kits and check each listing for the included materials and recommended skill level.

Which patterns are best if you love traditional samplers?

If you are drawn to early American samplers, muted colours, alphabets, houses, florals, and traditional motifs, a smaller Stacy Nash project may be a wonderful place to begin.

Stacy Nash and Brenda Gervais designs have a beautifully aged, collected feeling. Some are more detailed than others, so I would look for a smaller design with a limited colour palette before choosing one of the larger samplers.

Browse our Stacy Nash cross stitch collection and Brenda Gervais cross stitch patterns to see which designs are currently available.

Which kits are best if you love European design?

Acufactum is often one of the first collections I show customers who love natural linen, whimsical animals, cottages, gardens, flowers, and storybook-inspired designs.

The projects are beautiful, but they do vary in difficulty.

A small Acufactum motif can be approachable for a confident beginner, especially when it uses full cross stitches and a lower-count linen. A large pillow, detailed scene, or project containing several finishing steps may be better as your second or third project.

It is also important to check whether the chart is included directly with the kit or appears in one of the Acufactum books. Some of our Acufactum project kits contain the fabric and threads needed for the project but require the coordinating book for the pattern.

If you love this style but feel uncertain about stitching on linen, consider starting with a 28-count Acufactum cross stitch fabric. When stitched over two threads, it gives you a larger stitch size while still creating that lovely linen appearance.

Explore our Acufactum cross stitch kits and supplies or view our 28-count Acufactum cross stitch linen.

What if I love a pattern that is not sold as a kit?

This happens all the time in the studio. You find a pattern that feels as though it was designed especially for you, but it is sold separately from the materials.

In that case, we can help you build your own kit.

You will generally need:

1. The pattern

2. A suitable piece of fabric

3. The listed embroidery floss

4. A tapestry needle

5. A hoop, frame, or other stitching support if desired

6. Any finishing fabrics, trims, or embellishments

The fabric does not always need to be the exact count listed on the pattern. You can often substitute another count, provided you calculate the new finished measurements before cutting or ordering your fabric.

For example, changing from 36-count linen to 28-count linen will make the finished design larger. You will need a larger piece of fabric, but the stitches may be easier to see.

This is one of the reasons we carry so many different linen and evenweave counts. We want you to be able to choose the fabric that makes stitching comfortable for you, rather than feeling that you must use a particular count simply because it appears on the pattern.

Can a beginner use a different fabric than the kit recommends?

Usually, yes, but there are a few things to consider.

Changing the fabric count changes the finished size of the project. A lower fabric count creates a larger design, while a higher count creates a smaller one.

You should also check whether the design contains:

1. Fractional stitches

2. Over-one stitching

3. Beads

4. Buttons or charms

5. Specialty stitches

6. Finishing pieces cut to a specific size

These details may affect how easily the project can be converted.

If the kit contains a pre-cut backing, frame, pillow insert, box, or ornament form, changing the fabric count may prevent the completed stitching from fitting the included finishing piece.

When in doubt, send us an email before ordering. We are always happy to help you compare fabric counts and calculate the finished size.

What tools should a beginner add to a cross stitch kit?

You do not need a room full of supplies to begin cross stitching. A good kit and a comfortable needle may be nearly everything you need.

A few optional tools can make the process easier:

A needle minder

A needle minder gives you a safe place to rest your needle when you pause. It is both practical and, in many cases, very pretty.

Small embroidery scissors

Choose a sharp pair that can cleanly trim embroidery floss.

A hoop or frame

Some stitchers prefer holding fabric in their hands, while others enjoy the tension provided by a hoop, Q-snap, or wooden frame. There is no single correct method.

Good lighting

This may be the most valuable stitching accessory of all. A bright, adjustable light reduces eye strain and makes it much easier to distinguish fabric threads and floss colours.

Magnification

Magnification can be helpful when working with linen or higher fabric counts. It is not cheating. It is simply a tool that allows you to stitch more comfortably.

Thread conditioner

Thread conditioner can help embroidery floss glide more smoothly and reduce tangling, particularly if you are working with longer strands.

You can find many of these supplies in our cross stitch notions and accessories collection.

How do I choose a kit I will actually finish?

Choose the project that makes you happy when you look at it.

That may sound overly simple, but it matters. A technically easy kit will still feel like work if you do not love the colours or the design.

At the same time, try to be honest about what will feel manageable. If you frequently start projects and have trouble finishing them, choose something small enough that you can see meaningful progress in your first few stitching sessions.

A small project is not less worthwhile than a large one. Finishing your first ornament, sampler, or pincushion can be incredibly satisfying, and every completed project teaches you something.

I would rather see you choose a small design you adore than a large kit you feel you are supposed to make.

Are cross stitch kits good gifts for beginners?

Cross stitch kits make lovely gifts because they provide both an activity and a finished keepsake.

For a beginner, choose a complete kit whenever possible. It is much easier for the recipient to begin when they do not need to identify a separate fabric or collection of floss.

Consider the recipient’s eyesight, patience, and personal style. Someone who enjoys detailed miniatures may love a fine linen project, while someone who wants a relaxing evening activity may be happier with a larger fabric count and a simple floral or seasonal motif.

You might also include a pair of embroidery scissors, a needle minder, or a Willow Cottage gift card so they can select any additional supplies they need.

What would I choose as a first cross stitch project?

If you were standing here in the studio asking me to help you choose, I would look for a design that made you smile, then check the chart, fabric count, number of colours, and finishing requirements.

My ideal first kit would have:

1. A small or medium-sized design

2. 14-count Aida or 28-count evenweave

3. Mostly full cross stitches

4. Clear symbols

5. A modest number of colours

6. Fabric and floss included

7. A finish that does not require advanced sewing

From there, we could choose a style that feels like you. It might be a traditional sampler, a little cottage, a garden motif, a Christmas ornament, an animal, or something with the quiet European feeling we love so much at Willow Cottage.

The best first kit is not necessarily the simplest one on the shelf. It is the one that feels manageable and makes you genuinely excited to begin.

You can browse our cross stitch kits collection, visit our beginner cross stitch section, or email us if you would like help choosing the right project.

We would be very happy to help.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should a beginner cross stitch kit include?

A beginner kit should ideally include a chart, fabric, embroidery floss, and clear instructions. Some kits also include needles, frames and finishing materials. Always read the product description carefully because the exact contents vary between kits.

Is Aida or linen easier for a beginner?

Aida is generally easier because its woven squares form a clear, visible grid. However, a beginner can also start with linen or evenweave. Twenty-eight-count fabric stitched over two threads creates the same stitch size as 14-count Aida and can be a comfortable introduction to linen.

Can I change the fabric count included in a cross stitch pattern?

In many cases, yes. A lower count will create a larger finished design, and a higher count will create a smaller design. Recalculate the finished measurements and make sure any included frames or finishing pieces will still fit.

Are Stacy Nash cross stitch kits suitable for beginners?

Some Stacy Nash designs are suitable for confident beginners, particularly smaller projects with limited colours and mostly full cross stitches. Larger samplers or designs with specialized finishing may be better after completing one or two simpler projects.

Are Acufactum cross stitch kits suitable for beginners?

Many Acufactum projects can work well for beginners, especially when stitched on 28-count fabric. More detailed cushions and projects with specialty stitches or elaborate finishing may be more appropriate for an adventurous beginner or intermediate stitcher.