What to look for in a cross stitch kit

This is a guide to help you buy a counted cross stitch kit. Many designers/companies produce cross stitch kits that are not good value for money. This article explains how to be careful when buying and what to look for in a cross stitch kit.
Before making a purchase, you will need to ask them what is included in a kit - if you are buying online, look for this information in their website. If there is not, then send them an email and ask them.

When buying a kit you must receive:
Cross stitch Pattern
Fabric (usually aida)
Cotton threads
Needle

The pattern needs to be enlarged and clear to read, listing all the threads usually by DMC/Anchor/Madeira etc numbers. The fabric must be more than enough to be able to frame it when finish the design. Here is where most companies/designers are making our lives difficult. Most cross stitch kits come with the threads in bulks listed as colours. For example dark blue, light blue, very light blue. If there is a variety of blue, one can not tell the difference between them and it is confusing which colour goes where. So you need to look for kits that include threads in a card organiser filed by thread colour and number. Also, make sure you check the refund policy in case you are not happy with the product. If this is not written, then ask.

Since most of us pay a lot of money for the cross stitch kits, we might as well get the best product available to help us start stitching immediately without any help.

Fine art and Victorian cross stitch patterns and kits at Yiotas XStitch