Candamar Designs 30926 Oriental Iris Needle Point Kit, 14 by 14-Inch

This kit came with 4 sets of threads, each set tied together separately. The instructions helpfully wrote out which colors (and how many strands) were in each bundle, so that you could tell apart close colors. i.e., the 'medium blue-green (11 strands)' was in the bundle that contained white, while the 'light blue-green (13 strands)' was in the bundle with the purple. Etc.Except, no matter how I looked at the floss that was sent, it didn't add up. The listed colors and numbers of strands were not as stated in the instructions. I tried several times, I had my daughters try and help me, we ended up with several dozen strands that we could not make match up, and I had to go and buy floss for, I believe it was blue gray and dark blue gray (the extra strands were not anyone's idea of blue-gray, they were more blue-green. Except the blue-greens were accounted for, mostly. Even then, some of the strand counts were off--14 instead of 12, or vice-versa)I do like the picture, and the needle that comes is nice, and the basketweave stitch instructions would be, I think, clear enough for a beginner. But if I'm buying a kit, I expect it to work out without me going to the store. That's why I buy kits.

Getting the colors sorted to begin was a MESS! Had to have a 2nd pair of hands helping to get it all straight. BUT now that I've begun stiitching, the print on the canvas seems OK. I have had to use colored pencils on the paper chart to help differentiate the symbols, it's printed pretty small and you definitely need to refer to the paper chart, not just the canvas, which I don't remember doing before with other needlepoints I've done.

I haven't started this yet, but the quality of the printing on the canvas appears to be quite good, and there is a stitching chart besides. However, I can see the floss is all in one big bundle and not sorted. There are only 15 colors in the kit, but half of them are shades of blue, so I can see that is going to be a challenge. Many Candamar needlepoint kits do NOT have printed canvases; this appears to be a lucky exception.

The pattern could have shown you what colors go on canvas. Very difficult. I ended up doing my own thing As a result I am pleased with the colors I picked and it looks great no thanks to the company. The yarn should have numbers to go with the pattern

This is one of several projects for my wife, an experienced needlepointer. She'll not use the border, but will like the picture itself.

This is a very relaxing project and I thoroughly enjoyed making it. The paper directions matched the stamped canvas extremely well and were very easy to follow. Another nice surprise: there was more than enough embroidery floss, so there was no danger of running out.

This was a great gift. Yarn was of great quality and beautiful colors. The white plastic needlework base had a very clear and easy to follow image. My mother-in-law was very pleased.

This is a horrible needlepoint kit. The yarn is not identified by color and you have to guess if you are using the correct shade. Just awful! So sorry I wasted my money on this and advise that you do not do the same.