10 of Our Favorite Cross-Stitch Kits for Beginners

Even in the small amount of time today's schedules allow, you can create something the old-fashioned way: by hand. Enter one of our favorite crafts: cross-stitching. Counted cross-stitch may be one of the easiest of all embroidery techniques, but worked in rows, these hand-stitched Xs can add surprisingly sophisticated patterns and rich texture to almost any fabric.

You'll need a tapestry needle and, if you like, an embroidery hoop to keep the work flat and the tension even. Your choice of tools and materials also make a difference: Because the weight of the thread you use is oftentimes similar to that of the thread used to make the fabric itself, these embellishments appear as if they were woven right into the cloth. If you're new to the craft, practice a bit before launching into a project.

While the craft itself dates back centuries, the stylish designs here prove that it can be fresh and fun: woodland animals, houseplants, abstract designs, and even a family portrait are all possibilities for your finished project. All of these makers are reinventing the craft for a younger, more decidedly modern audience. A night-sky blue canvas can be dotted with a zodiac constellation. A canvas can be colorfully decorated in the image of an iconic European city like Amsterdam, London, or Paris. A canvas with a decorative silhouette is more than a useful activity; it's a conversation piece. Any profile—your child's, your own, or a friend's—can be enlarged and used for the pattern. Customization makes any of them yours.