Project guide
Which craft suits you?
Seven crafts, what each one asks of you and what to have nearby. Times count hands-on making; a first attempt can take a little longer.
Paint by number
Match the paint to the number, work one small area at a time, and watch a picture appear. Lovely if you enjoy color without planning the whole composition.
Good to have nearby: a water cup, paper towel and a covered table. Space: a flat, steady table.
Embroidery
A needle, a thread and a little rhythm. Learn a few stitches and slowly build a picture on fabric. Portable enough for the sofa, with an especially satisfying texture.
Good to have nearby: household scissors and good light. Space: a small lap-sized workspace.
Crochet
Turn a single strand of yarn into a small stuffed figure. Learn the magic ring, count your stitches and work in the round. There is a little learning curve, then a lovely rhythm.
Good to have nearby: household scissors and good light. Space: a small lap-sized workspace.
Punch needle
Push yarn loops through taut cloth to make plump, tactile shapes. Keep the needle facing your direction of travel, and let the texture do the talking.
Good to have nearby: household scissors and good light. Space: a flat, steady table.
Diamond art
Place tiny resin drills onto a printed adhesive canvas. No drawing or mixing involved. A patient, repetitive craft for anyone who loves a little sparkle.
Good to have nearby: a clear tray area and a good task light. Space: a flat, steady table.
Cross stitch
Work small crosses on Aida or canvas, square by square, following a symbol chart or a printed design. The slowest craft here and the most absorbing: a large sampler runs to tens of thousands of crosses.
Good to have nearby: an embroidery hoop, household scissors and good light. Space: a small lap-sized workspace.
Latch hook
Fold a short length of pre-cut yarn around the hook, pull it through the printed canvas and tighten the knot. Each square takes one knot in the color printed on it, so there is nothing to count. The kits make a 17 x 17 in (43 x 43 cm) pillow front.
Good to have nearby: a 17 in (43 cm) pillow insert and backing fabric, which are not included. Space: a flat, steady table.
Time is an estimate, not a deadline
Our times count hands-on making. First projects can take longer. Stop and start whenever you like.
Size up your space
Embroidery hoops are 6 or 8 in (15 or 20 cm) across. Paint by number canvases run from 11.8 x 15.7 in (30 x 40 cm) to 24 x 30 in (60 x 75 cm), and latch hook pillow fronts are 17 x 17 in (43 x 43 cm). Each product lists its finished size and whether a pillow insert is included.
Care for your materials
Close paint pots between sessions. Keep floss dry and untangled. Cover unused diamond adhesive. Store needles somewhere secure.
Setting up your work area
Before opening your kit, prepare a clear spot with steady lighting. For needlework like embroidery kits or crochet kits, sit with a direct lamp over your shoulder to see thread tension and individual stitches clearly. For flat work such as paint by number kits, lay down scrap card or paper to protect your surface from paint water spills. Keep a small tray or saucer nearby to catch trimmed threads or spare drills.
Planning your making time
Each project can be divided into short stages rather than long sittings. When working on diamond art kits, peel back only a small square of adhesive film at a time to prevent dust from settling on uncovered glue. With punch needle kits, complete one section of color before threading the next yarn. Breaking larger tasks into single color blocks or border segments helps you track your progress without feeling rushed.
Packing materials away neatly
Keeping materials tidy makes it easier to resume work at any time:
- Press paint pot lids down firmly along the rim to seal them shut between painting sessions.
- Store canvas pieces flat or gently rolled rather than creased to keep working areas smooth.
- Keep embroidery hoops, hooks, and yarn skeins inside a cloth bag or box to stop threads gathering dust.
Delivery and return options
Delivery is $6.95 to the United States, the United Kingdom and the European Union and $14.95 elsewhere, and free on every order from $49. The delivery time for your country shows on each product page and at checkout.
If you decide a kit is not suitable, you have 30 days from delivery to request a return. Check our delivery and returns page for postal terms and instructions.
| Craft | Kits | Hands-on time | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paint by number | 11 kits | 10-40 hours | from $26.95 |
| Embroidery | 12 kits | 8-25 hours | from $25.95 |
| Crochet | 4 kits | 2-10 hours | from $24.95 |
| Punch needle | 10 kits | 3-6 hours | from $27.95 |
| Diamond art | 17 kits | 6-60 hours | from $22.95 |
| Cross stitch | 16 kits | 20-280 hours | from $25.95 |
| Latch hook | 5 kits | 12-25 hours | from $38.95 |
Questions
I have never made anything before. Where do I start?
Start with a first-timer kit: the Turtle Crochet Kit (crochet), the Moon and Moth Embroidery Kit (embroidery) or the Giraffe in Flowers Paint by Number Kit (paint by number). Each product page lists exactly what's in the box.
Do I need any extra tools?
The main craft tools are in each kit. Household scissors, good light and a clear table are worth having nearby. Painting also needs a water cup and paper towel.
How long will a project take?
From about 2-4 hours for the Turtle Crochet Kit to 185-280 hours for the Winter House Sampler Cross Stitch Kit. Times count hands-on making, and you can stop and start whenever you like.