Which embroidery kit should you choose? Counted or pre-printed

Would you like to buy an embroidery kit but are unsure which type suits you best? The choice is wide. Some embroidery kits use a paper chart that you follow square by square. With other kits, the design is printed directly onto the Aida fabric.

The size, number of colours, fineness of the embroidery fabric and amount of detail also determine how easy or challenging an embroidery kit is. In this article, we explain the main differences so that you can choose an embroidery project that suits your experience and preferences.

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What is an embroidery kit?

An embroidery kit contains the main materials needed to complete one design. The exact contents vary by brand and kit, but a complete cross-stitch kit usually contains:

• embroidery fabric;
• the required embroidery threads;
• an embroidery needle;
• a chart or pre-printed embroidery fabric;
• a colour key and instructions.

An embroidery frame, embroidery scissors and other accessories are usually not included. Always check the product description of the selected kit.

What is a counted cross-stitch kit?

With a traditional counted cross-stitch kit, the design is shown on a paper chart. The chart consists of squares and symbols. Each symbol corresponds to a specific embroidery thread colour.

You usually begin by finding the centre of both the embroidery fabric and the chart. You then count square by square to determine where each cross stitch needs to be worked.

A counted cross-stitch kit is a good choice for stitchers who enjoy working accurately from a chart. The selection is very wide, ranging from small and clear designs to large embroidery projects with many colours and fine details.

What is a pre-printed embroidery kit?

With a pre-printed embroidery kit, the design is printed directly onto the Aida fabric. You can therefore see on the fabric where the different cross stitches need to be worked.

Because the design is already printed on the fabric, less counting is required and it is easier to keep your place in the pattern. Pre-printed embroidery kits are therefore accessible for beginners, but also for experienced stitchers who prefer to follow the design directly on the fabric.

The print is usually water-soluble and should only be removed once the entire embroidery is finished. Always follow the instructions supplied with the selected kit.

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Counted cross-stitch kit or pre-printed embroidery kit?

The best option mainly depends on how you prefer to work.

Choose a counted cross-stitch kit when you:

• enjoy working from a paper chart;
• do not mind counting squares;
• enjoy accurate and concentrated stitching;
• want a very wide choice of brands and designs.

Choose a pre-printed embroidery kit when you:

• prefer to follow the design directly on the fabric;
• want to count fewer squares;
• want to see easily which areas still need to be stitched;
• find it difficult to keep your place on a large paper chart.

Both types of kits use cross stitch and can be suitable for beginners as well as experienced stitchers.

Which embroidery kit is suitable for beginners?

Anyone starting embroidery for the first time should preferably choose a clear and well-structured design. Do not look only at the size of the kit. The number of colours, the fineness of the fabric and the amount of small detail also determine the difficulty level.

An embroidery kit suitable for beginners preferably has:

• a clear pattern;
• easily recognisable colour areas;
• a manageable number of colours;
• not too many small details or scattered stitches;
• easy-to-follow instructions;
• a manageable size;
• Aida fabric with clearly visible squares.

For many beginners, a pre-printed embroidery kit is the easiest way to start. A clear and well-structured counted cross-stitch kit can also be perfectly suitable as a first project.

View our embroidery kits for beginners

Read our detailed guide for beginner stitchers

Why a small embroidery kit is not always easier

A small embroidery kit may look easy at first, but this is not always the case. A small design can contain many different colours, fine details and isolated stitches.

A larger design with clearly defined colour areas can therefore be easier than a small pattern that requires constant colour changes.

When choosing a kit, do not look only at the dimensions. Also consider the structure of the pattern and the amount of detail.

Which Aida fabric is suitable?

Aida fabric has clearly visible squares. Normally, one cross stitch is worked in each square.

The fineness of Aida fabric is often expressed as a count. The higher the count, the smaller the squares and the finer the finished embroidery.

For beginners, Aida fabric with clearly visible squares is usually easier than very fine embroidery fabric. Always check which Aida fabric is included with each embroidery kit.

Brodeja: pre-printed on Aida fabric

Brodeja embroidery kits are fully pre-printed on Aida fabric. The design is printed directly onto the fabric, allowing you to follow square by square where the cross stitches need to be worked.

The colours printed on the fabric deliberately contrast with the actual embroidery thread colours. This makes it easy to see which areas have already been stitched and which squares still need to be completed.

Horizontal and vertical guide lines are also printed on the fabric. These divide the design into clear sections that correspond to the supplied paper chart.

A Brodeja embroidery kit contains:

• pre-printed Aida fabric;
• the required embroidery threads;
• an embroidery needle;
• a paper chart;
• the necessary instructions.

Once the embroidery is completely finished, the printed ink and guide lines are removed. Place the fabric in cold or lukewarm water below 30 °C for at least three hours and then rinse it carefully with clean water.

View pre-printed Brodeja embroidery kits

How do you choose the right subject?

An embroidery project requires time and patience. Choose a design that genuinely appeals to you, so that you continue to enjoy working on it.

You can choose from, among others:

• flowers and plants;
• animals and birds;
• landscapes and city scenes;
• people and portraits;
• classic works of art;
• modern designs;
• Christmas and seasonal motifs;
• birth samplers and children’s designs.

Order embroidery kits from stock

All embroidery kits available to order on the Verelana website are in stock. This allows you to start your new embroidery project quickly.

Check the dimensions, fabric, technique and contents of each kit. This makes it easier to choose an embroidery kit that suits your experience and personal preferences.

Discover our full collection of embroidery kits

Conclusion: which embroidery kit should you choose?

Choose a counted cross-stitch kit when you enjoy working accurately from a paper chart. Choose a pre-printed embroidery kit when you prefer to follow the design directly on the Aida fabric and want to do less counting.

Beginners should preferably start with a clear pattern, clearly visible squares and a manageable size. Do not look only at the size of the embroidery, but also at the number of colours and the amount of detail.

Still unsure which type of kit suits you best? Read our detailed guide Which embroidery kit should you buy?.