This would be a pretty hard piece for a first try. If you are new to cross stitch I would suggest starting with something easier, and with fewer colors, and work your way up to this. I have been doing counted for about 40 years and don't think I would want to attempt this because black is hard to stitch on. Cute pattern though. I hope you try count cross stitch, you will be hooked from the first stitch.

Jaba is right. This is not a project for any first time stitcher. When I started, I did small projects, then intermediate, then advanced. ECS has some projects for beginners. YouTube has videos showing how to cross stitch. As long as you can count (as I was told) you can do counted cross stitch. I recommend a 11 count or 14 count material. Just fold the material horizontally and then vertically-there's your center. Aida (to me) is good to start with. Aida comes in a lot of colors and is easy to work with. ECS has so many patterns. I don't recommend kits because a lot of the time the material and floss are not A-1 quality. Since you love that pattern, I would absolutely recommend buying it and putting it aside as a goal. Also, if you start with a beginner project, you will not get discouraged. You will be really proud of yourself. That's what I did. I'm sorry my eyes are killing me and I can hardly see to type. Please do try counted cross stitch. It is wonderful therapy and doesn't cost near as much! If you have questions or need help, just come to this web site. We have wonderful men and women who can answer questions and give advice. (even if it is for a recipe-seriously) My eyes have had it. Do stay in touch and post some pics. Take care, post pics, and good luck. Pam

Like the others have said this is not a project for a beginner. I have done Charles Wysocki patterns which this is and they are quite intense. If I were you I would do like someone else said and buy it and put it back until you have done some beginner projects first. There is a section of those here at ECS.

It is a Dimensions kit and they have their own brand of floss which isn't very good. I rarely buy kits but when I have bought one of theirs because I like the pattern I throw away their floss and use my DMC floss for it. You can find a conversion chart for the floss at Cyberstitchers.com. They have conversions for many different brands of floss to DMC which is the only floss I will use.

Hope this has been helpful.

Everything on this site is "counted" unless otherwise indicated. You can find "stamped" or "embroidery" projects by click on the link on the bottom right corner that says STAMPED. My understand that anything listed here and all other sites as "cross stitch" will always be counted.

I was like you, not too long ago. I didn't think I had the patience for counted cross stitch, but really didn't care for the stamped projects I found. I had been a knitter but, living in Arizona, the idea of yarn across my lap in the summer...well, yuck! So I jumped in with both feet and started counted. And I love it.

Started with the type of project where most of the picture is painted on the cloth and you just fill in designated areas. Now I'm up to the difficult projects with at least one simple one to do when I get frustrated.

Try it, you'll like it.

syagel, I have also bought a kit just to get the pattern. (don't tell DH) I have a pile of kit thread hidden in a tin. I swear I will find a use for it someday.

hi, i love love love cross stitch but i usually do the stamped ones, I have one im currently doing, i will show you,
i saw the one with the baby and wanted to do it for my nephew whos wife is having a baby and their theme is giraffes, 'but i dont think i could do the counted cross stitch....I just purchased a 5d diamond painting with a cat, cant wait to get it.

heres a pic of what im trying to finish
im having a bit of trouble finishing their hands since its at the bottom of the picture, doesnt exactly fit in the ring, lol
do you have any tips on that? lol

If you can do a stamped piece like that, then count cross stitch shouldn't be a problem for you at all. That is a cute picture. When I get to a place where the hoop won't fit, I put just the fabric in that needs stitched leaving the hoop partly empty, and pull the fabric as tight as I can.