Animals in Sweaters Cross Stitch Kit

What this cross stitch kit is

This is a counted cross stitch kit built around a simple, friendly idea: a small animal wearing a sweater. You stitch the design yourself on flaxen cotton canvas using cotton thread. The kit comes with two needles, so you can start as soon as it arrives.

The finished piece measures 7 x 7 in (18 x 19 cm). It works well as a small framed picture, a patch for a project bag, or a gift for someone who likes animals and handmade things.

Materials and what is in the box

The kit uses cotton canvas and cotton thread. The canvas has a flaxen tone, which gives the finished stitching a warm, natural background. The thread is multicolor, so the sweater and animal details come through in the shades shown in the design.

In the box:

• Flaxen canvas
• Cotton thread
• 2 needles

That is a single kit. No frame is included, so you can choose your own once the stitching is done.

Sizes and styles

You pick two things when you order: the style and the size.

Styles:

• Hamster
• Mouse
• Red panda
• Beaver
• Badger
• Pig

Each style uses the same materials and the same general layout. The animal and sweater colors change with the design you choose.

Skill level and time

This kit suits makers with some experience. Counted cross stitch asks you to follow a chart and count stitches on the canvas. If you have done a small project before, you will be comfortable here. If you are brand new, the 7 x 7 in (18 x 19 cm) size is a reasonable place to start, but plan to take your time with the counting.

Most stitchers finish in about 20 hours. That spreads easily across a few evenings or a quiet weekend. The work is repetitive in a good way, and the small size means you can carry it with you.

How to use it

Start by finding the center of the canvas and the center of the chart. Work outward from there so the design stays balanced. Sort your thread by color before you begin, and keep the chart nearby as you stitch.

Use one needle for stitching and keep the second as a spare. Work in short sessions if your eyes or hands need a break. When the stitching is complete, press the canvas gently from the back and let it dry flat.

Care and finishing

Keep the finished piece out of direct sun so the thread colors hold. If the canvas needs a clean, hand wash it in cool water with a mild soap, then rinse and lay it flat to dry. Do not wring or twist the canvas.

Once dry, frame it, mount it on a card, or sew it onto a bag or cushion. The 7 x 7 in (18 x 19 cm) size fits standard small frames.