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The following list of supplies shows the typical price range from Joann.com, the online shop of a nation-wide sewing/craft store chain. (Another window will open so you can continue here.)
- These prices may vary, of course; I am including them so you will have some idea beforehand of the investment and ongoing expenses of the counted cross stitch craft.
- Wherever possible, I will give substitutions in case you want to spread out the purchase of certain items.
- Want to see if you are going to like cross stitch before investing a lot in supplies? Here's how you can find out for under $10.
Purchase
- inexpensive piece of 11-count Aida Cloth ($2) (Aida Cloth 11 Count 12'' x18'' Antique White
, for example) (Another window will open so you can keep your place here.)
- package of blunt-tipped, size #24 or #26 tapestry needles ($1)
- floss skeins as called for on your pattern ($.35 ea)
- money left over? add needle threader ($1.70)
Find Free Around the House
- scissors to cut the cloth to size (clean thoroughly first)
- curved manicure scissors or other small scissors to trim floss
Find Free Online
- diagrams, instructions and how-tos
- a small free pattern (stay under 15 different floss colors to stay within your $10 budget)
If you have never completed a counted cross stitch project, try the above experiment first.
- It fits most budgets and you'll likely have fun in the process. That said, you may find that you do not enjoy counted cross stitch. You could encounter some physical reason that impairs you ability to enjoy this hobby (such as poor eyesight, limited dexterity, etc.)
- You will also likely discover things "you didn't know that you didn't know."
For example, a few years ago a friend gave me a package with a nice-sized piece of cloth and multiple skeins of floss. She had very limited cross stitch exposure, but saw a beautiful design in a kit that she wanted to complete for her husband. Unfortunately, she didn't realize that counted cross stitch fabric comes in different thread counts.
The one she purchased contained 18-count fabric, over a single thread. In a few hours, she realized that she was unable to comfortably complete the tiny stitches. The small kits she had purchased in the past all included fabric with an identical, smaller thread-count.
She thought, erroneously, that a kit is a kit is a kit. This was an expensive lesson, but one we can also learn from.
Try the inexpensive experiment outlined above. You will avoid putting out a lot of money for a counted cross stitch kit just because you like the picture on the box.
- ...and you may just find a rewarding new hobby.
If so, check out our cross stitch shopping list, for a convenient way to keep track of your supply needs.
And be sure to check online suppliers of affordable cross stitch supplies, such as Joann.com
. Supplies are often less expensive and frequently on sale.
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