The best embroidery kits for beginners
A needle, a hoop and an evening off the phone. These kits teach the stitches as you go.
Hand embroidery is having a moment: it's cheap, calming and portable, and the results look lovely framed on a wall. It's also ancient. The Bayeux Tapestry isn't a tapestry at all: it was stitched, so it's embroidery.
Beginner kits come with the design already printed on the fabric, so it's a case of following the lines. The best ones teach each stitch with a video.
What matters
- Printed designs that teach a range of stitches.
- Video tutorials, which make the first stitches far easier.
- A hoop with a screw, to keep the fabric tight.
- Enough thread to finish every design.
#1 of 5
Best overall
Myfelicity Embroidery Kit for Beginners (3 designs, 28 stitches)
£10–£20 Price range
Three printed floral samplers that teach 28 stitches between them, each linked to its own video by QR code. By the third one they'll be stitching without looking anything up.
What owners say: Owners find it a lovely starter set that's easy to follow, with beautiful designs and everything needed.
A closer look: Tighten the hoop's screw until the fabric is drum-tight before each session: slack fabric is the main reason beginners' stitches pucker. The threads come glued to a card, so snip off only what you need.
- 3 printed fabrics
- 28 stitches to learn
- Video for each pattern (QR code)
- 12 thread colours on a card
- Hoop, needles, scissors and threader
Best for: Learning with videos
- Designs
- 3 floral samplers
- Stitches taught
- 28
- Instructions
- Videos + instructions
#2 of 5
Meyocky Embroidery Kit for Beginners (4 samplers, 31 stitches)
£10–£20 Price range
Four 12-inch printed cloths that go from simple to detailed, so the stitches build on each other. The finished samplers look pretty enough to frame or sew onto a cushion.
What owners say: Owners find it suits beginners, building up to harder stitches, with everything included, and a good alternative to screen time.
A closer look: Work the samplers in order. Separate the strands of thread (many stitches use two or three strands, not all six) for neater, finer work.
- 4 printed 12 × 12in cloths
- 31 stitches, with videos
- 16 thread colours
- 7.8in hoop
- Scissors, seam ripper and threader
Best for: Step-by-step progress
- Designs
- 4 samplers
- Stitches taught
- 31
- Instructions
- Videos + instructions
#3 of 5
Best for the basics
Bradove Classic Embroidery Learning Kit
£10–£20 Price range
The videos start before the first stitch, with how to fit the hoop, split the thread and tie a knot: the things most kits assume you already know. Made in Taiwan, and a calming screen-free evening.
What owners say: Owners like the step-by-step instructions for every stitch and find it relaxing and easy to follow.
A closer look: Keep the seam ripper handy and don't be shy with it: unpicking a wobbly stitch and redoing it is how everyone learns. Iron the finished piece face down on a towel so the stitches don't flatten.
- 3 patterned practice fabrics
- 8-inch hoop
- Video tutorials on the basics
- Threads, needles and seam ripper
- Instruction booklet
Best for: Complete beginners
- Designs
- 3 practice fabrics
- Stitches taught
- The basics, taught from scratch
- Instructions
- Videos + booklet
#4 of 5
Most to learn
VynyQoo Embroidery Kits for Beginners (4 designs, 40 stitches)
£10–£20 Price range
Forty stitches across four nature designs, from simple to challenging: the one for someone who'll want to keep going after the first hoop.
What owners say: Owners find it suits beginners, with everything needed, clear instructions and designs they love, and good value.
A closer look: Each thread is a generous 8m, so there's enough left over for a small design of their own once the four patterns are done: try initials on a tote bag.
- 4 printed designs
- 40 stitches
- 20 thread colours, 8m each
- Video tutorials and 4 manuals
- Hoop, scissors and threader
Best for: Keen learners
- Designs
- 4 nature designs
- Stitches taught
- 40
- Instructions
- Videos + 4 manuals
#5 of 5
Best budget
Offizon Embroidery Kit for Beginners (3 flower designs)
Under £10 Price range
Three bright flower designs and a hoop with an adjusting screw, for less than the price of a magazine or two: easy to tuck into a stocking or a Secret Santa bag.
What owners say: Owners find it easy to use with clear instructions and a beautiful design, and say it's fun and relaxing.
Heads up: It has a printed manual rather than videos, so free online stitch tutorials are handy alongside it.
A closer look: Start with the simplest flower of the three to get a feel for the stitches, and save the one you like most for last, when your stitching is neatest.
- 3 printed flower fabrics
- Adjustable hoop
- Plenty of thread colours
- 9 needles, scissors and threader
- Instruction manual
Best for: Stockings and Secret Santa
- Designs
- 3 flower designs
- Stitches taught
- Simple flower designs
- Instructions
- Printed manual
How they compare
| Feature | #1Myfelicity 3-design | #2Meyocky 4-sampler | #3Bradove | #4VynyQoo 4-design | #5Offizon 3-design |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best overall | Best for the basics | Most to learn | Best budget | ||
| Picked Rating | 9.2 | 9.1 | 9.0 | 9.0 | 8.8 |
| Price | £10–£20 Price range | £10–£20 Price range | £10–£20 Price range | £10–£20 Price range | Under £10 Price range |
| Designs | 3 floral samplers | 4 samplers | 3 practice fabrics | 4 nature designs | 3 flower designs |
| Stitches taught | 28 | 31 | The basics, taught from scratch | 40 | Simple flower designs |
| Instructions | Videos + instructions | Videos + instructions | Videos + booklet | Videos + 4 manuals | Printed manual |
| Best for | Learning with videos | Step-by-step progress | Complete beginners | Keen learners | Stockings and Secret Santa |
| Check price | View on Amazon | View on Amazon | View on Amazon | View on Amazon | View on Amazon |
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