Christmas is my favourite holiday and I love the build up to Christmas Eve most of all. I always make sure I have a few lovely craft projects to work on in the run up to Christmas and there is always an exciting little present under the tree of something I can work on in those lovely long days between Christmas and New Year.

This Carol Singers design was so much fun to stitch; I love the fresh, festive, colour palette and I imagined my nieces in the picture as I worked. Deceptively simple, this kit is perfect for beginners as the piece is worked largely in split stitch, back stitch and whipped stitches. There are a few French knots here and there which are relatively easy to master.

The kit includes a 10” square piece of hand-printed antique linen together with the threads and instructions required to complete the pattern. The finished piece is approximately 9cm x 10cm and could be personalised further with a few words from a favourite Christmas carol or Seasons Greetings for someone you love. I have made mine into a little rustic bag to hang on a peg shelf by the door and fill with Christmas chocolates. It would also work as a beautiful Christmas cushion or the centre of a beautiful patchwork wallhanging.

To complete the kit you will also need a packet of needles (a size 5 is a good all-rounder for beginners), a pair of small, sharp, needlework scissors and 5” embroidery hoop.

All of our kits have been completed by complete beginners but we do rate our kits on a scale of 1-3 to help you

The ratings are

1) Absolute beginner
2) Enthusiastic beginner
3) Accomplished beginner

This kit is rated - 2 - for Enthusiastic Beginners