Dimensions Needlecrafts Counted Cross Stitch, Candy Cane Santa Stocking kit (8778)

This is a gorgeous stocking! There are many shade variations which make it beautifully detailed. I have done an extensive amount of cross stitching and this was a bit of a challenge with the small stitches and intricate color variations. It really keeps you on your toes and I would not recommend it for beginners. In addition to the cross stitches, there are half stitches, back stitches, French knots, couching and sequin attachment. Also, not only do you use two stands, there are half stitches requiring two, three, four and even five strands. This leads to my only complaint, and that is I ran out of numerous strands of the frequently used colors such as green shades, burgundy, etc. Using five strands quickly depletes the thread even though I followed directions and didn't waste any thread. Luckily, I was able to find comparable thread to use. Also, there are stitches that require a mixture of two colors, which really adds to the beautiful detailing.The picture I took shows my work for 3.5 months, working numerous hours per day. I have to finish the top with name as soon as the baby is born, as well as the outlining and details, which will make this even more gorgeous! Also, as many people have stated, the white felt backing included in the kit is poor quality. After spending so much time creating this beautiful piece, backing it with this cheap, white felt would not do it any justice. I bought a nicer quality red felt for the back (shown in the picture), which will compliment the beauty.The instructions suggest separating each six-strands into single strands. I thought it was a waste of time and it was so much easier to separate as needed, rather than putting single strands together. I also put each color in an envelope labelled with the number. Filed numerically, it was organized and much easier to use.

Longtime Dimensions cross-stitch fan. These particular stocking kits are beautiful and easy to read. I do not have a sewing machine, and took my finished works to a local needlepoint finisher to get a longer lasting heirloom.My grandmother taught me to needlepoint in the early 90s and when she passed I took up the hobby eventually graduating to more and more complex kits in high school and college. In the last four years I've made two Dimensions stockings for my husband and now our first born. Pictured here, they are hanging with the needlepoint stocking my grandmother made for me in the late 80s. This is my son's first Christmas and I am so happy I was able to complete his in time! Now I probably ought to start on another for a future child (or my sister's first, whomever gets here next!)

I love Dimensions kits - although I do use my own thread instead of what comes in the kit. My only complaint, truly, is the way the floss in the kit comes packaged. It used to come with 3 or 4 different cards of thread, which was messy, but workable. It now comes in 2 strips with the colors split up between the two. It's a big, ol', freakin' mess after a while, partially because the strands provided are very long, and you can spend more time separating out the knots rather than doing the actual stitching.Regardless of the threads used, the patterns are gorgeous and I love how they create textures in the stitching by changing up the number of threads used for the sections. I've made several of their kits over the years and have never been displeased with any of the end results.

First off, I love Dimensions cross stitch kits and have done several. This was my first stocking. The cross stitch was medium-hard difficultly, so not for beginners, due to lots of color changes and multi-colored stitches. 5 stars just for the cross stitch part. I took off a star for the poor directions on how to make the stocking, and cheap felt backing for the stocking itself. I opted to use cotton quilting fabric as a backing and also made a separate liner, to make the stocking sturdier and also to protect the back of the stitching. It turned out beautiful and will be cherished for years to come.

Can not wait to do for next year.

Took about 5 months in my spare time but I finished by Christmas for my granddaughter. Looks lovely and rich. I wouldn't say this is for beginners but the intermediate to experienced should find it enjoyable. I did substitute better material for the felt given in the kit- it just didn't feel like it would hold up. Also I lined the entire stocking with a Christmas patterned fabric- that way the back of the stitching is protected from any snags or anything sticky that may be put in the stocking.

Here is something I have learned from a few of these cross stitch kits that will hopefully be helpful to some of you- when you are doing the stitches, make sure that the back of your work (the "bad side") looks like this ' ' ' ' ' instead of this \\\\\. Follow the instructions carefully to keep the stitches going the right way and on these bigger projects it can make a difference in how quickly you run out of thread. Either way, it can't hurt. I too have run out of the thread that comes with the kit, and if you do, you can always go to the Dimensions website and request the additional thread colors that you will need. It takes up to 2 weeks to receive but they are very helpful and kind. Also, using masking tape on the edges is a great way to prevent fraying while you are working. You might also consider getting a more luxurious fabric like a matching velvet for the backside. All of these projects are even more beautiful in person once completed than what you see online.Good luck and happy stitching...

I love dimensions kits but lately I have noticed how cheap the thread has become , it is of bad quality everytime i use it it tangles very badly and tends to break not happy with the materials in these kits anymore I love the patterns but not the quality, I know they have them made in China now. Cheap product