Cross stitch cushion kit round-up: 15 of the best modern kits

Want to try something new? Have a go at making a beautiful cushion with these cross stitch cushion kits. We chose our absolute favourite cross stitch kits to feature in this article, most of the kits on this list are of a modern style to suit lots of tastes. You'll find a mixture of bold, cute and funny designs, something to suit all styles and abilities.

These cross stitch cushion kits are a fab way to get yourself excited about a new craft and will help to relax you after a busy day. Once you have created your cushion, you can give them away to friends and family as a thoughtful gift, a handmade present always goes down a treat! You can also simply gift the kit too, if you know they are thinking about starting cross stitch, these kits are a great gateway and introduction to this special craft.

If you are new to cross stitch or want to refresh your skills, check out our how to cross stitch and our useful guide to cross stitch needle sizes, for everything you need to get started on your next project.

Main image: Wham cushion kit - Buy now from Not On The High Street (£65.00).

Now, most of the cross stitch cushion kits do not include the pillow stuffing and the backing to make up the pillow. You will need to purchase those separately. Depending on the size of your design, you can find a pillow backing to suit your project there are lots of options available from Amazon. Here are some examples of what kind of materials you will need (always check for sizes in your specific project though):

Thea Gouverneur - Pillow back with zipper Beige 16in x 16in

Utopia Bedding Cushion Inner Pads (Pack of 2) - Pillow Inserts 18" x 18" (45 x 45 cm)

15 cross stitch cushion kits

1. Penguin cross stitch cushion kit

This adorable penguin cross stitch cushion kit is the ideal winter project, you could make it up to give to a friend this Christmas, or just to brighten up your Christmas decor. The lovely thing about this cushion is you can enjoy it year after year at Christmas time, although it's so cute you might just want to keep it out all year round. Included with this delightful kit are a hand-painted large-hole canvas and thick acrylic yarn, making it great for a beginner, as they will not have to read a chart, so if you are thinking of buying this as a gift for a newbie stitcher, then this may be the perfect kit! You will need to purchase the cushion backing and filler separately.

2. Llama mini cross stitch cushion kit

Ok, who doesn't love llamas?! They are so popular in the crafting world at the moment so this cross stitch cushion kit would be the ideal way to celebrate this glorious creature. This fun kit contains 14HPI white Aida fabric, ready-sorted DMC Stranded Cotton Threads on a numbered card sorter, needle, backing fabric, b&w symbol chart, and full instructions (cushion filler not included). This is a mini cushion so the size is (14.7cm) square, so make sure to purchase the correct size cushion filler!

• Buy the Llama mini cross stitch cushion kit from Etsy

3. Wham cross stitch cushion kit

One of two great things to come out of the 80s named Wham! This retro sweet will be giving you all sorts of nostalgia when you create them. You’ll find everything in this kit to complete the cross stitch needlepoint piece, just bear in mind it’s not everything for the cushion itself, but your finished tapestry would make an amazing cushion, you'll just need to purchase backing and stuffing separately.

4. Gnome cross stitch cushion kit

Christmas or not, we adore these festive gnomes, with their big hats and bushy beards, they'll add a touch of cosy to any home. They would also make thoughtful Christmas presents if you can bear to part with them once you have stitched them up into a lovely cushion. With its large hole canvas and thick yarn, this is a wonderful project for beginners who are new to cross stitch. The kit contains everything you need to create the front tapestry including a helpful guide, you'll just need supplies to make up into a cushion!

5. Rainbow cross stitch cushion kit

With a bold pattern and bright rainbow colour, this tapestry kit is ideal for beginners. This is a counted chart and not a printed pattern so each coloured square corresponds to the same colour cross stitch on the canvas. The kit contains all you’ll need to get stitching, afterwards it’s up to you whether you make it into a lovely cushion or frame it to hang in your home.

• Buy the geometric heart tapestry kit from Etsy

6. Kit kat cross stitch cushion kit

Take a break, but not in the traditional sense, we're talking about stitching a Kit Kat cushion to give yourself that little reminder to have a breather every now and then. This chocolately cross stitch cushion kit will satisfy your craving to stitch (but maybe not your craving for chocolate). This design is ideal for anyone looking to take on a bigger project, whether you are a beginner or advanced this is a lovely project to complete. You will need to source the materials to make it into a cushion once you are finished.

• Buy the Kit Kat cross stitch cushion kit from Etsy

7. Prawn cross stitch cushion kit

We just think this cross stitch kit is shrimply the best. Create this cute critter with this cross stitch kit and brighten up your home. If you can bear to part with it this lovely cushion once you have stitched it up, then it would make the most wonderful gift for anyone who loves brightly coloured home decor! This cross stitch cushion kit contains everything you need to make the tapestry, you'll just need to purchase the backing and cushion filler.

• Buy the prawn cross stitch cushion kit from Etsy

8. Botanical cross stitch cushion kit

A must-have for any plant-lover, this botanical cushion would look lovely and add a burst of colour to any modern home. This is a great kit for beginners and experienced stitchers alike because you are able to customise your kit geared towards your skill level. Beginners would be more suited to a 14-count Aida (larger holes in the canvas), whereas those more experienced could try out the 28-count linen (smaller holes in the canvas). This kit contains everything you need besides the cushion backing and filler, it does however contain a guide to putting your cushion together once you've sourced the materials.

• Buy the botanical cross stitch cushion kit from Etsy

9. Cat cross stitch cushion kit

This adorable cat cross stitch cushion kit is vibrant and colourful making a stand-out piece of decor for your home. This purrfect design is created in blocks making it simple for beginner stitchers, yet still creating a fabulous outcome. You will receive everything you need to create this tapestry within the kit, the cushion backing and filler will need to be purchased separately.

• Buy the cat cross stitch cushion kit from Etsy

10. Geometric cross stitch cushion kit

Add a splash of colour to your home with this bold geometric style cross stitch cushion kit. There's one thing for sure, it will definitely catch the eye of anyone who visits your home! This lovely design is worked in blocks, and the design is printed onto the canvas, so easy for beginners to complete. This kit would make a great present for anyone new to cross stitch and would like to take on their first big project. As with most of the other projects on this list, the kit contains everything you need to make the front part of the cushion, but you will need to purchase the backing and filling separately to finish the cushion.

11. Mini flamingo cross stitch cushion kit

Did you know that the flamingo's famous pink colour is due to their diet? That's right! The pigment is found in algae and brine shrimp which then is digested by the flamingo and turns their feathers pink! Celebrate this gorgeous and unique creature with this amazing cross stitch cushion kit. The kit contains everything you need to make up the cushion cover, including backing material, so all you will need to purchase is cushion filler.

• Buy the mini flamingo cross stitch cushion kit from Etsy.

12. Hedgehog cross stitch cushion kit

This cute critter is the perfect project to cosy up to when the evenings start to get darker and autumn rolls in. It would make a thoughtful gift all year round, but especially nice for Christmas (it's definitely more subtle than some designs we've seen) so if you know someone who isn't a fan of garish Christmas decor, this would be the perfect festive gift for them. This kit includes everything you need to stitch this cute thing, and if you want to make it into a cushion you'll need to source backing fabric and filling, however, the kit does include a guide to finishing as a cushion so you won't be lost on that part!

• Buy the hedgehog cross stitch cushion kit from Not on the Highstreet

13. Blue floral cross stitch cushion kit

This gorgeous blue cushion brightens up any room and as in the picture below creates a truly calming vibe, and we think it would be just as therapeutic to stitch. This lovely kit contains clear instructions and diagrams to follow, key and chart, pre-printed canvas, yarns, needle, and cushion back complete with a pre-sewn zipper fastening. This makes it simple to make your finished tapestry into a lovely cushion, all you will need to get elsewhere is cushion filling, you might even already have one knocking around at home which can be repurposed.

14. Dachshund cross stitch cushion kit

This cute stitched sausage is perfect for any dog lover! We think it is absolutely adorable and would bring a smile to anyone's face. Stitch it for yourself, or give it to a dog-mad friend, either way, the process of creating this little masterpiece will be incredibly satisfying. This kit contains all you need to make the cross stitch front part of the cushion but does not include the backing or the filling for the cushion but those items are easily found on Amazon.

15. Dragon cross stitch cushion kit

For those you looking to take on a big project, this dragonfly stitch features an amazing array of colours. This design was created by Bothy Threads, the contains a stitch diagram and instructions, a needle, colour printed 12 count interlock canvas and crewel wools. You can choose to finish this project as you wish, but we love it as a cushion!

• Buy the dragonfly cross stitch cushion kit, Love Crafts

If you enjoyed our cross stitch cushion kit countdown and want more inspiration for your next project, try these modern cross stitch kits. If you’re after just patterns we have plenty of those too, check out our huge collection of free cross stitch patterns, from a range of talented designers, all available to download as PDFs. If you are thinking of getting someone you love a gift, get them started on this lovely craft with these beautiful modern cross stitch kits. These kits are great for beginners and experts alike, thanks to their gorgeous designs. Looking for more stitchy gifts? Take a look at these amazing needle minders, a must-have for any keen stitcher!