It’s always an exciting moment when a delivery of crafty goodness gets dropped off and we can disappear into a new project. We’ve already seen what it will look like completed and, once we open it all up, it’s clear to see just how many components go into the final product. What we don’t always think about at the time is how intimidating it all can seem, especially if you’re a beginner.
Thankfully, many kits come with further instructions and sure we can fumble through it alone, but we’re here to offer a supporting hand if you’re feeling a little bit overwhelmed about where to start. Of course, completing the first stitch no matter what your dicipline is a celebrated moment, yet with threads, aida and pieces of paper strewn around you, it can be enough to shove it into your craft bag for it not to be seen again.
We thought we’d walk you through a typical kit and its contents, whilst offering some handy tips on staying organised throughout your project. We all start somewhere, so beginners are welcome! Even if you’re a more seasoned stitcher, feel free to join us and share your tips over on our socials.
Well, What Do We Have Here?
So for Caterpillar Cross Stitch’s Picnic Party sampler, let’s take a closer look at what we get in the kit. Remember, each brand’s kits will vary in components and contents, but will be similar in terms of materials. If you’re unsure of how you’ll think you’ll get on, be sure to check the descriptions for skill levels, or other types of stitches on the main design.
If you’re still unsure with something you’ve seen on our website, you can always contact our friendly customer services team and we’ll be happy to offer any advice you may need. For now, we’ve kept things simple with full stitches only – see, beginner friendly!
In this kit, there’s the aida fabric (in this case, it’s a 14-count option, meaning 14 stitches per inch), 12 shades of pre-sorted DMC stranded cottons onto cards, a cross stitch needle, instructions and the colour and pattern chart itself.
Pre-sorted threads can be handy, yet if you know you’re going to be hooked on this craft before you’ve begun (trust us, we’ve been there!), it’s a good idea to start your organising now.
The colour chart for this kit in particular will display the symbol, the DMC colour code and Caterpillar Cross Stitch’s own ‘colour code’ to coincide with what’s on your pre-sorted thread card. You could grab yourself some cardboard or plastic bobbins, write the DMC colour code on them and wind them onto your new bobbins. This way, you’ll have a bobbin ‘set-up’ for future projects and you can still easily work from them for the kit.
Alternatively, you could treat yourself to one of the many thread boxes we stock. They come in a variety of sizes with lots of handy storage.
This Hemline box, for example, is great for your floss and even has room for your accessories such as kit-friendly scissors, a needle minder and some spare needles.
Much like our previous tips, it really is up to you how you wish to organise and, as you go, you’ll discover ways in what work for you best. For storing your project, you could use one of our handy organza bags that your yarn orders come packed inside! They’re great for keeping your work clean and all in one place the next time you sit down to stitch.
Brands like The Crafty Kit Company and Bothy Threads both offer some wonderful project bags in smaller to mid sizes.
Our fave of the month has to be Moominmamma! Yet for those larger projects, Emma Ball have some really great options too.
Well that’s it from us for this Tip Time, we hope you’ve found our advice useful! We’ll be back soon to share some helpful advice on how to set up your kits from just a PDF pattern. In the meantime, feel free to share some of your favourite tips using #WWTipTime – happy stitching!