What Dimensions kits are known for
Dimensions built its reputation on shaded, painterly designs rather than flat blocks of colour — wolves, tigers, hummingbirds, cats draped over furniture, cottages under northern lights. That style has a practical consequence: the thread lists are long, the colour changes are frequent, and much of the realism comes from blended needles, where two different shades are worked together in the needle to make a colour that does not exist in the thread range. It is what gives the finished piece its depth, and it is also why these kits reward careful thread organisation before you start.
Choosing a kit by size and commitment
- Small ornaments and bookmarks, roughly 6.5cm to 13cm — a few evenings each, ideal for gifts and for a first Dimensions kit.
- Mid-size designs around 13cm to 20cm — hummingbirds, wolves, welcome pieces and small florals; a few weeks of regular stitching.
- Birth records and samplers, often around 23cm by 30cm — these include alphabet and number charts so you can add a name, date and weight.
- Large framed pieces up to about 41cm — cabins, gardens, big cat portraits and detailed scenes. These are long projects with dense coverage.
- Ornament sets — several small designs in one box, which spreads the work into satisfying short bursts.
Before the first stitch
Sort the threads onto a card or bobbins and label each with its symbol from the chart while the skeins are still in their original bundle. It takes twenty minutes and saves hours of squinting at near-identical greys later. Find the centre of the fabric by folding it in quarters, mark it with a pin or a tacking cross, and match it to the centre marked on the chart. Overcast or tape the fabric edges so they do not fray while you handle the piece. If the kit is a large one, a scroll frame keeps the tension even and stops the fabric distorting under months of handling.
Stitching technique that shows in the finished piece
Use two strands over one block of aida for full coverage, and one strand for the backstitch outlining that gives Dimensions designs their definition. Keep every top stitch running the same diagonal, without exception — mixed directions catch the light and read as untidy from across the room. Start threads with a loop or by running under existing stitches rather than knotting. Where the chart calls for a blend, thread both colours together and treat them as one strand pair; the effect only works if you keep them evenly tensioned. Stitch in rows or in small blocks of colour rather than jumping across the design, and never carry a dark thread behind a light area.
Washing, pressing and framing
Even careful hands mark fabric over a long project. Wash the finished piece in lukewarm water with a mild detergent, rinse until the water runs clear, roll in a towel to remove the excess water, then press face-down on a folded towel so the stitches stay raised rather than being flattened. Let it dry completely before mounting. Lace or pin the piece over acid-free board rather than gluing it, and use a mount so the glass never touches the stitching — trapped moisture against glass is the usual cause of damage to a framed piece years later.
Dimensions kit questions
Is everything included? Yes. Dimensions counted cross stitch kits supply the fabric, pre-sorted threads, needle and chart.
What are blended needles? Two thread shades worked together in the needle to create an intermediate colour. Dimensions uses them heavily for shading.
Are these kits suitable for beginners? Start with a small ornament or bookmark. The large wildlife pieces involve dense coverage and many blends.
Can I personalise a birth record? Yes — the birth record kits include alphabet and number charts for the name, date and weight.
Do I need a hoop or frame? Not for small kits, but a scroll frame is worth it on anything above about 25cm to keep the fabric square.
