DIMENSIONS 2484 Old Mill Cottage Needlepoint Kit, 12'' W x 16'' H

Dimensions Gold Collection are my favorite counted cross stitch kits. I'm currently halfway through stitching Balloon Glow and it's beautiful -- detail rich with a lot of depth.The two that I have completed in the past (Cabin Fever, European Bistro) were equally beautiful and fun to stitch.HOWEVER, I gave up on one called Memory Lane because it asked you to use too many ply at a time, making it a pain to stitch. I realized that some pattens recommend you use needlework stretcher bars to stretch the fabric while you stitch. I would personally recommend against those kits.The kit comes with 2 needles, 18 count aida fabric, a large pattern (half of the pattern on 2 pages), and presorted thread (I still put them on my own plastic sorter and draw the symbols next to each color so that I don't have to reference the list all the time. The cardboard is flimsy and doesn't have holes -- instead, the threads are glued into the sorter, so once you take it out you'd better have a place to put it back. [Also, i've tried punching holes in the cardboard sorter and it didn't go well -- to0 flimsy. Invest in a sturdy plastic sorter).It is for experienced stitchers, but it's not difficult if you know what you're doing. This is a big project: it has taken me about 2 years to complete each one, but that will obviously depend on how often you stitch. I am a student so stitch a lot more during summers and holidays. Most of the stitches are done with 2 ply, but some half stitches call for 3, 4, or 5 ply. The 5 ply parts can be a bit of a hassle, but they are worth the overall result.

Phased for present. Colors were beautiful. Material was good quality. Instructions very easy to read.

I thoroughly enjoyed this kit. It did take me about 8 months to completely finish it, but I really enjoyed every step and it turned out beautifully. It's a lot of fun, but definitely not for beginners. You will need to count and measure carefully, as there are some very complicated patterns with the colors.It definitely takes an eye for detail and it takes patience! But with those skills, you will really enjoy this kit!There is far more than enough thread to complete, and you will have plenty left over. I think there was only one color I feared I might run out of. The only issue I had was that I needed to buy my own needles. Parts of this kit require that you thread 4 threads through 1 needle, which was definitely next to impossible with the needles provided (even with a threader). I broke the needles that came with the kit, but luckily had some more on hand. I also bought some extra needles to use just with the 4-thread portions.All that said, I had a great time creating this piece, and it came out just as I expected. I can't wait to have it framed and display it. Highly recommended!

This is a big piece and to needlepoint it you are going to need either huge stretcher bars and long arms or a scrolling frame. It’s well made with just a slight unevenness of paint at the edges that you will have to accommodate by choosing your top and bottom rows and sticking with them even when the paint goes above or below them. The threads are well labeled. You will have to do some thread combining to come up with all the colors.It will keep you busy for a long time. The colors are beautiful. The threads don’t fray. It comes with a needle and you’ll need to get needle threaders and sharp snips if you don’t have them already.I wouldn’t recommend this for a first needlepoint project because it will take you so long to complete. Start with something smaller.For the experienced needle pointer, this could be perfect. There are no instructions for fancier stitches. Everything is in basketweave unless you get creative.

I have been stitching dimensions kits both needlepoint and gold collection since 2002. This kit is definitely not for beginners. It is a challenging one given the shading effects all across the stitch. The final product came out very nice at the end of which I have attached a photo in this review.The Good: Beautiful shading, realistic outcome, literally looking at it makes me feel that I am looking out of a window into the surrounding Tuscan landscape, challenges experienced stitchers particularly in the area to the right of the wine glassThe Bad: Ran out of threads, the brown one and the mauve one. Contacted the company and they sent a DMC mapper which isn't very helpful as the shades do not match exactly across brands. Thankfully, had left over threads from dimensions kits I had made earlier which I was able to use and finish. The print on the aida is not straight and that makes it difficult when stitching in the bottom 15% of the aida. It is also hard to distinguish the difference between two printed colors on the aida in some of the areas. Took me a lot of time to really look at the picture and take a call on how to go about it.At the end with all the flaws, the outcome did not disappoint. Took me around 240 hours to finish the whole thing and now it is ready for framing after a bout of needed blocking.

Okay, I just received this item not too long ago, however I've done enough of these to know that its going to be BEAUTIFUL. I cannot wait to start it. My own fault for not paying attention as closely as I normally do so I missed that it's not the same counted cross stitch as I've always done so it's going to take longer. Reason being is that it doesn't have a single "x" stitch as I'm used to doing, however the stitches it does give you to do are what will make this kit/finished product absolutely Gorgeous. Satin stitches, French knots, lazy daisies, etc etc. Set on a Beautiful black backdrop and soft material with printed picture to help guide your stitches. Not my first preference, but it's sure to be worth every meditative second. Colors are also already separated for you and comes with the needles you need, although you may want to order extras just to have on hand and not have to wait to continue this kit, for extra needles to arrive should one get lost.