Buyer's guide · at home
Cross stitch kits
Everything you need to stitch a finished piece, in one box. What a good kit includes, counted vs stamped, and our honest picks for beginners, kids and gifts — from under £10.
Start here
Why buy a cross stitch kit?
Nothing to source
The right Aida, the right thread colours, and a tested chart — all in one box. No wrong-count fabric, no missing colour mid-project.
Cheap to start
A complete beginner kit is £8–£18 — usually only a pound or two more than buying the bits separately, with none of the guesswork.
Gift-ready
Boxed kits look impressive before a single stitch, and the recipient ends up with something they made themselves.
New to the craft itself? Start with our cross stitch for beginners guide — it explains Aida count, reading a chart, and the three stitches you actually need.
Know what you're getting
What's in a good cross stitch kit
Aida fabric
Usually 14-count, pre-cut to size — sometimes pre-printed (stamped) with the design.
Stranded cotton
Pre-sorted DMC or Anchor threads in the exact colours the chart needs, often on a sorter card.
Tapestry needle
A blunt size 24–26 needle that slips through the holes without splitting threads.
The chart
A printed counted chart with a colour key, or the design stamped straight onto the fabric.
A hoop or frame
Many kits include one; cheaper kits leave it out, so check before you buy.
Instructions
A good kit explains the basic stitches — helpful if it is your very first project.
Tip: the most common thing missing from a cheap kit is the hoop — check the listing before you buy.
The key decision
Counted vs stamped kits
Counted cross stitch
Most commonYou work from a chart onto blank Aida, counting squares as you go. More flexible, far more designs to choose from, and what most kits and patterns assume. A little more concentration at the start.
Best for: Anyone who wants the widest choice of designs and does not mind counting.
Stamped (printed) cross stitch
Easiest startThe design is printed directly onto the fabric, so you simply stitch over the printed symbols — no counting. Wonderful for children and absolute beginners, though the printed marks can show if your stitches do not fully cover them.
Best for: Kids, nervous beginners, and anyone who finds counting fiddly.
Compare formats
Types of cross stitch kit
| Kit type | What it is | Typical price | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beginner sampler | A small motif or sampler on 14-count Aida, few colours | £8–£18 | First-ever project |
| Mini / hoop kit | A tiny design finished in the hoop it comes with | £10–£20 | A quick evening win |
| Full-coverage kit | Every square stitched — rich, picture-like result | £25–£60 | Confident stitchers |
| Kids’ stamped kit | Pre-printed design, chunky 11-count, blunt needle | £6–£14 | Children 6+ |
| Modern / quirky kit | Contemporary or subversive designs from indie makers | £14–£30 | A design-led gift |
| Subscription box | A new kit posted monthly — cancel any time | £12–£25/mo | Staying motivated |
Our picks
Best cross stitch kits by use-case
We don't take payment for placement, so these are picked by what each type of kit is genuinely best at — not by brand. Match the kit to the stitcher.
Best for absolute beginners
A small counted sampler on 14-count Aida with 4–6 colours and printed instructions.
What to look for: Look for "beginner" on the label, a design under 4 inches, and an included hoop.
Best for kids
A stamped (pre-printed) kit on large 11-count Aida with a blunt needle and bright colours.
What to look for: Stamped designs remove the counting; 11-count holes are easy for small hands.
Best quick win
A mini hoop kit you can finish in an evening — a single motif, two or three colours.
What to look for: Comes finished in its own hoop, so there is nothing to frame afterwards.
Best as a gift
A boxed kit with a modern design, good thread, and a frame or hoop included.
What to look for: Choose presentation: a tin or gift box and a design that suits the recipient.
Best modern designs
Contemporary, botanical or playful patterns from independent UK designers.
What to look for: Indie Etsy makers and brands like Hawthorn Handmade lead on modern style.
Best subscription
A monthly box that posts a fresh design and threads to keep you stitching.
What to look for: Pick month-to-month so you can try one box before committing.
Buy well
How to choose a kit
Check the Aida count
14-count is the standard, comfortable choice. 11-count has bigger holes (good for kids or tired eyes); 18-count is finer and harder to see. Match it to the stitcher, not the picture.
Read the difficulty label
Fewer colours and a smaller design mean a faster, more forgiving first project. "Full coverage" looks stunning but is a big commitment — not a first kit.
Count the colours
A beginner kit with 4–8 colours finishes quickly. Twenty-plus colours means more thread-swapping and a much longer project.
Where to buy
Where to buy cross stitch kits in the UK
Hobbycraft
Reliable mainstream beginner and kids’ kits in store and online — easy to pick up locally and good for a first project.
Etsy
The best place for handmade, modern and indie designs. Huge range, from tiny hoop kits to subversive samplers; many from UK makers.
LoveCrafts
Branded kits from DMC, Anchor and designer makers like Hawthorn Handmade, plus all the refill threads and Aida you’ll want later.
Not on the High Street
Curated, boxed gift kits — handy when you want something that looks the part out of the box.
Prefer to learn as you stitch?
Domestika's embroidery and cross stitch courses include step-by-step video and the patterns to work along with. From £7.99 on sale — a good pairing with your first kit.
What you'll pay
Cross stitch kit price guide
| Kit | Typical price | What you're paying for |
|---|---|---|
| Mini / beginner kit | £8–£20 | Small design, few colours, quick finish |
| Kids’ stamped kit | £6–£14 | Pre-printed design, chunky count, blunt needle |
| Boxed gift kit | £18–£35 | Modern design, good thread, frame or hoop, presentation |
| Full-coverage kit | £25–£60 | Every square stitched — lots of thread and hours |
| Subscription box | £12–£25/mo | A fresh kit posted monthly; cancel any time |
Keep exploring
More cross stitch & embroidery
Cross stitch kits
FAQs
Everything you need to know before you book.