Def patterns ! Its part of the fun to get everything together for a project :)
Until last week I only used patterns. I bought a small kit and within 10 minutes I was stitching. It was much easier than tracking down the right floss.
I prefer patterns too, mostly because I usually change the colors and fabric to the one I like.
My dearest wish would be kits from HAED, Mystic Stitch and others similar) Or more interesting designs from Dimensions and others) In a word, I would prefer kits, but rather upgraded in comparison to those usual ones we mostly have on the market. Charts only are great, especially if one have a good backlog of materials, but sometimes are totally unpredictable as there is no proof that a certain design was ever ever stitched by someone.
I prefer patterns. If I see a kit I really like and I cant find just the pattern, or I cant find it on here, I buy it but I switch out all the materials with my own. Ive found that they never give you enough material or thread. I let my kids use the threads for their various crafts, and I add the material to my stash for another, smaller project.
I also pick patterns over kits, I like to choose the fabric and floss
I also prefer patterns, freedom to choose fabric and yarn and sometimes it makes it easier to plan for your finishing.
Patterns for me too !
About the only reason I opt for a kit is because I want the hard- to- get colour of fabric in the kit.
With patterns only, I can assemble the items needed (which is a very enjoyable step for me) at my pace.
Pattern!!I always have problems with kits - never enough thread and inferior (and always too small!) fabric.Once I got a kit and the fabric had a big flaw right in the middle of it!:(
Sometimes Ill get a kit just for the design but I rarely use the supplies that come with it.
some of the kits are really complicated to be collected together (Mirabilia etc). I can understand change of fabric (I prefer smaller count) - but changing palette... my opinion it is too risky. designers usually do their best to reach certain effect which can be lost when using your own colours (for instance - goblenset)