You can always substitute. It all depends on how the colors you have chosen go with the ones that are suggested. My experience has been that if you change one color, you will need to change other colors, too. They all are supposed to blend together.

My fellow cross stitch buddy up in NJ almost always changes her floss. She'll buy a kit then say 'Oh I don't like the color of the flower pot/flower/box/frame/whatever so I'm going to use these colors instead.' In fact I can't think of a solitary project where she -didn't- change something in it!

But she always goes to her color chart to get the different shadings. It's YOUR kit, so you can do with it as you please :)

As for the conversion chart there's always something that will pop up if you search the net :)

This thing has been on..and off... my wish list for a long time. I think you're right...the colors just aren't right. I love the design, but I can't seem to imagine colors for it...maybe I just need it "in hand" to work the colors. I would be very interested seeing what colors you come up with. :)

Just Googled the image for this...found one image where the inside frame was changed to a bright green...better. :)

I believe Just Cross Stitch has a conversion chart or two that would be helpful.

Do you have a DMC color chart? I think it would be helpful if you want to use DMC flos instead of the thread that comes with the kit. The colors are grouped in families for each color category. For instance if you substitute DMC 3831 (dark Raspberry) for a color the chart shows that it is in a family of color including 963,3716, 962, 961, 3833, and 3832. I have an old chart with actual thread samples beside each number. There are twenty columns of colors. The newer charts only have a picture of the color. Sometimes when I am searching for a certain color in my stash, I'll look at the chart to see what the actual color is that I am searching for.

I have my stash in plastic Ziploc bags and separated by number. I have several bags of the 700 colors, the 800 colors etc. Someday I'll have to find the time to group all the 700 colors numerically, etc.

I always get what the pattern is asking for. It is the best to do.

You can find conversion charts at cyberstitchers.com. You should ALWAYS change anything you don't like about any pattern, especially when it comes to floss. Supplies Lists are suggestions. Changes of fabrics, colors, or other embellishments is what makes each finished piece unique.

That is why I don't like kits. You are stuck with what the designer wants, not what you want.

My stash of floss counts to over 480 skeins all in zip lock bags sorted by number. I always use my own floss first and then purchase what I don't have. (my stash keeps growing) I don't buy kits anymore because I have found that I never like the floss it comes with. I use only DMC and sometimes the one from my stash is not exactly like the newer ones from the store but the project is going on my wall and unless there is a glaring difference no one would ever know.

To vanillacat1. I do the same thing. I think I have many many bags with bags for each number grouping, however I do have to do the bothersome chore of sorting the 700 colors, 800 colors etc. numerically and then put the numerical sorting in bags with the beginning and ending numbers on each bag with a marker on the outside of the bags. I put a hole in the corner of each bag and keep the bags together with large rings that were designed to be used with floss bobbins. I only use floss bobbins when there isn't very much floss in the wrapper. When I am done with a project the skeins go back into the appropriate bag. The bags rest in a small basket on the bottom shelf of a shelf unit in my bedroom. I actually enjoy starting a new chart and going to the bags to see what I already have. It is like a treasure hunt. I keep the floss for a project in gallon size bags with the list of the colors for the design. I list the colors for new projects on legal pads. After pulling out of my stash what I have and putting a check mark by the number and circle what I need. The list is taken to the craft store when I have the time. The completed list is then put into the bag with the floss. I have many pending projects in large bags with the floss and the list. Sometimes I borrow for a current project from a project on hold to be done in the future. As soon as one project is done I go on to the next one.