arione Cross Stitch Kits for Adults Beginners Pre Printed Stamped Cross Stitch Kit Embroidery Tapestry Kit Cat 54 x 48 cm. (Cat in Art Studio)

I have been experiencing just the most horrendous decade. Really, I wouldn’t even know where to begin. Health, living conditions, love, family, money; you name it, it’s just gone so wrong for far too long.Enjoy the free schadenfreude I just dumped in your lap!But wait! There’s more…I’m generally a super creative person, but I’ve been completely uninspired due to immense stress, so I figured I’d give cross stitching a go in order to keep the juices flowing a bit, help my focus without taxing my brain. Needlework using patterned linen hardly engages masses of brain cells, but you still create something, even if it’s a bit paint-by-numbers.Anyway, I find it relaxing, and there are some really nice pieces available.I really like the aesthetics of this design. The colours are nice and earthy, it’s pleasing and not too difficult; that’s not to say it doesn’t involve a ton of patience, though!I probably would’ve thought twice about purchasing this piece if I’d been made aware that it includes backstitching literally outlining EVERYTHING! I mean EVERY detail of every item. I dislike backstitching; it hurts my fingers and it’s just gruelling and painstaking. The results are nice, but I definitely do not look forward to it, particularly on a piece this large. With furry effects to boot! It looks nice once it’s done (I’ve only done some facial features and bit of the top of the cat’s head), and it’s definitely necessary to achieve the proper effect.You’ll need great light as well as eyesight due to the tiny, tiny stitches that have so many similar hues crowded together.Probably not the best choice for a beginner, as it’s a bit overwhelming; I can already tell this will take years to finish, and can see myself possibly putting it away and forgetting about it—especially since my husband accidentally dripped water in it numerous times over the course of a few days without my knowledge!Imagine picking it up to put a bit of work in, and ⅓ of the pattern has been smeared/blurred! They’re not kidding when they instruct you to be careful with liquids! Just look at that heartbreak.I’ve put enough work into it, but….I may not be committed enough to go by the schematic; I like using the legend around the edges! It doesn’t help that the schematic sheets (printed on separate sheets, back and front, in six different sections!) utilise letters and numbers, totally different from what’s printed on the actual pattern and legend, which then have to be matched to their corresponding colour listed on a separate sheet! Not so bad when you can use the legend, but now that it’s all run together?Would YOU have the patience? I specifically choose printed patterns because I lack the patience to count tiny squares, especially on a big detailed design like this.Bummer. The silks are of good quality, not differing wildly in texture and tension as some kits provide, the colours are nice (brighter than the description photo) and substantial amounts are provided.We’ll see…

Brought for a friend who will enjoy making it.

Large piece which needs to be worked on a tapestry frame as the material is very stiff. Nicely printed and easy to see. Lovely range of colours. Recommend for beginners and those fed up with counting.

This is the second cross stitch kit I have bought from this seller and I will definitely be buying another. It is a great challenge and at the same time therapeutic to follow the pattern on the canvas. My kids keep trying to finish it when I'm not looking. It would make an ideal Christmas present.

Beautiful kit but I would say you would have to be a very determined beginner to master the instructions. However I am a beginner and with trial, error and patience it is doable I think. I’ll send a pic when I have completed it! 👍😀

To difficult

Lock down project nearly completed. More time consuming than I thought biput result should be worth it. Defo not for beginners though.

I must admit this was a lockdown purchase that I gave up on and gifted to daughter. It is suitable for a beginner with clear instructions and generous amount of thread. Great value for money.