Counted Cross Stitch Bookmark Kit - Bluetits

This one is a little harder than others. Do read all of the instructions first. Other than that is really beautiful and rather fast to make.

I love birds can't wait to complete this one

wonderful!! came with extra thread too (kept starting over some parts as this was my first embroidery project in quite a while) which was very useful. made this and mailed it off to a friend across the pond. i absolutely loved making this. directions are very useful and clear and explain everything. comes with all necessary quality materials.

Brilliant beginners set

Great quality and very bright colour!!

Excellent kit, vibrant colours. Easy to follow.

This is a great project which can be completed quite quickly - I'm estimating here but I think it took me about 18hrs in total - The only problem is that you do need good eyesight! I found the holes quite small, and especially difficult when using white on the pale background. The canvas is plain, and you use the printed black and white guide to count the squares and apply the correct colour in the right place! You only have to do the coloured parts, the rest of the canvas is left without stitching on it.You are using embroidery threads, which are supplied in strands of six cut to length, which you split into two, so that you are using three strands of the colour at any one time. I also found the needle difficult to thread, as the eye seemed narrow, and when I used my small wire threading device, because I was using the three strands, I had to pull hard to get the threads through the eye. the techniques used are a cross stitch, running stitch (birds feet, flower parts etc) and french knots (red bits on the flowers) and the instructions tell you how to do all these.Overall this is a beautiful project that once finished comes with a backing and tassel to make the bookmark look very professional, and well finished. I had room to also put the year and a name on the bottom - which gave it a personal touch for the person I was giving it to. This project can be done by someone with no experience (like me) and is very rewarding.This would be great for all ages, even children, and teaches skills which are sadly dying out - so go have a go - you know you want to!

Lovely when done. The finishing was a bit tedious but well worth the effort. Done as a surprise gift for a neighbour.