Dimensions Gold Collection Counted Cross Stitch 'Snowman Gathering' Personalized Christmas Stocking Kit, White Aida, 16", 18 Count

I have a large family and have made needlepoint stockings for everyone over the years, aside from the one my own mother made for me when I was a child. The intention is for these stockings to be heirlooms that the children can keep and use throughout their lives, as I have with mine. I love this tradition and have passed it along to my children. I am an experienced needle-worker and each stocking I’ve made has had its own unique challenges. I will say that this kit is definitely *not* a project for a beginner but is absolutely heirloom quality. This kit took me longer than any other stocking I’ve made by over a year of intermittent work. The reason behind that extra time is the incredible detail of every stitch. This stocking kit uses tiny stitches (no long stitches here) and subtle, almost imperceptible color changes and color blends using floss strands of different colors on the same needle. You change colors often as you move through the piece and while the change is subtle, the end result is a stunning high-resolution image with incredible detail unlike anything I’ve ever sewn before. The neck of the caribou alone took hours and hours because of all the color fluctuations but it was well worth it. Do yourself a favor and photocopy the pattern to mark up because you will make many mistakes and need to write notes for yourself. The layers of details also required a lot of marking up the pattern in different colors (stitches, followed by outlines, followed by French knot eyes and “snowflakes”). Another tip: the floss comes presorted and labeled, glued into two long cardstock strips. Cut those strips into their separate colors or everything gets super tangled up. Create a few extra pieces of card to wind all the many color blends you’ll be making as well - this pattern uses a lot of color blends and you’ll want to keep them straight and save as much floss as possible. Once you lose track of what color blend you’re on there’s no figuring it out because the colors are so similar. Two criticisms I have about this kit are that the amount of floss given in the kit for each color seems arbitrary. I had so much floss left over in many colors but also had to color match at least four of the floss colors to buy more of because there wasn’t even close to enough for the amount used in the project (use an online “dimensions kit-to-DMC conversion chart” to get the right replacement colors). Second, the metallic gold floss was a *huge* pain to work with. It shreds/disintegrates and tangles so easily and I wish I’d abandoned use of it early on and sought an alternative in the craft store aisles before getting the project underway. I will say I’m glad I persevered with the metallic gold though because it adds a really subtle but magical sparkle to the bells, presents, and other details where it was blended in.This was the first modern (post 1990s) stocking kit I’ve used in making six stockings. I usually seek and use vintage patterns or kits (1970s through early 1990s), or in one case improvise my own pattern, but this is the one my youngest wanted so here we are. It did not disappoint! I would happily purchase more of these dimensions gold kits for future stockings but will budget much more time than I’d planned here, and if there’s metallic floss I’ll seek an alternative.

I am not a beginner stitcher but I'm definitely not an expert, either. I started working on this stocking on 3/5/2022. As another reviewer said, it is stitched on 18ct Aida cloth - I didn't notice that until I started marking my gridlines on the fabric :-) Conservatively averaging 2 hours a day, this piece was finally completed (stitching and finishing) on 11/17/2022, four months longer that I had anticipated, as that's how long other stockings have taken. This one is absolutely gorgeous and my favorite of the four I've done - the colors are vibrant and it is SO well detailed. I struggled with the couching of the gold metallic thread around the ribbon - I thought I'd not be able to do it, but I persevered and while not perfect, it turned out beautifully. Others commented on the 2 strands of different colored thread used - I was annoyed by that at the beginning too, but when I saw how well it worked in the shading, I stopped being annoyed. This is not for a beginner unless you have a year or more to complete! I LOVE the finished product.

Love this needlepoint piece. It is not for beginners and is not an easy pattern but is beautiful once completed. The only issue I have is the product picture shows brown fringe on the scarf however it is not stamped on the canvas nor illustrated in the directions. It does make a difference in the finished product

This is not a beginner project. The colors on the canvas are not all that clear so you find yourself re-drawing them. When they say 100 hours to finish they are correct!

I have been cross stitching for almost 50 years and have made many stockings, but this is my favorite. I won a blue ribbon at the fair with this entry. The ribbon was the hardest part because the gold thread was a bear to work with, but worth it. The metallic thread in the bells was also a great accent. The animals are realistically shaded-everything is beautifully balanced and interesting. This stocking took about a year to make and I wouldn’t recommend it for beginners. I recommend using a magnifier, enlarging your pattern on your iPad, and adding some red cording around the stocking when you sew it together.

The stocking is really cute, but nowhere near as easy to stitch as it should be. I’ve stitched several Dimensions stockings, and this is the first one that I’ve had significant trouble telling the colors apart as they’re printed on the canvas. Different shades of blue are side-by-side, and really pale gray is directly beside the white. I’ve used the printed pattern far more than I have on any previous stocking.

Have never embroidered and bought this kit thinking it would be easy. It was challenging for a newbie but doable! Beginners pls read the following before starting:1. Watch youtube vids to learn basic embroidering tips. This is essential. When you unwrap this kit you will be intimidated. The vids simplify everything.2. You MUST buy the following before starting. Total cost about $12.00 at Joann's. A 12 in embroidery hoop, needle threader, thimble, extra size 20 tapestry needles. You cannot complete this project without these items.3. I am 70 with arthritic fingers and trifocals. It took me about 100 hrs to complete this project, working 8-10 hrs/day for 12 days to finish by Christmas.4. It must be machine sewn to add back of stocking. The finished front is simply too thick to hand sew. The directions tell you this as well.I love that I accomplished this stocking and it is beautiful! Next time will give myself more than 2 weeks. But trust me, if I can do it you can do it!

The colors on the canvas are so similar it is very difficult to tell where one color starts and the others begin. Especially on the mittens. This is frustrating but still a great project.

I was very excited to find that product but now that I have started on it there are a few flaws,First the colours of the print on the canvas are totally different to the yarns.also the canvas is slightly too loose and the yarn does not cover the canvas properly which means of course that the colours printed on the canvas shows a bit and as they are the wrong colour.... you see the problem...A lot of work and I am afraid I will be disappointed with the redult.

I received this gorgeous Christmas stocking kit 3 weeks ago - this kit got everything inside perfectly! Very pleased and can't wait to stitch this lovely Christmas stocking for my son :o)

So beautiful! I love to embroider - really makes me relax when my pace in everyday life is extremely high. Unfortunately, I never thought the embroidery suited my home and became too old-fashioned, but it's so tasteful and high quality. I am looking forward to many more hours of work with this one.

Love this itch kit got it for my mother-inlaw to do,she is really enjoying doing it and its very colourful.The kit arrived on time and i know my grandson will love it

Arrived as advised, in excellent condition. excellent value; cannot wait to start it.