Cross Stitch, Crochet and Sewing Advent Calendars 2026

The best cross stitch, crochet and sewing advent calendars give you a small project or a useful tool every day. Caterpillar Cross Stitch and The Woobles sell popular 24-day boxes, Permin kits become a reusable calendar, and Hemline makes a notions calendar for sewists. Many come from UK shops, so check US shipping before ordering.

Three kinds of craft advent calendar

Craft advent calendars come in three shapes, and the shape matters more than the brand.

A fourth type is the calendar you stitch yourself. Permin kits are a counted cross stitch scene with rings worked into the design; once finished, the piece becomes your family advent calendar.

Cross stitch advent calendars by maker

Cross stitch has the widest choice of any needlecraft calendar, and most kits use DMC floss and Aida fabric.

Caterpillar Cross Stitch 2026. The UK designer’s 2026 box holds 24 gifts. John Lewis lists three new hoop-sized patterns, three mini projects, a surprise “Brilliant Baubles” pattern, needle minders, Zweigart fabrics, DMC floss and needles. Caterpillar says orders ship in batches between August and October 2026, and its shop offers worldwide shipping.

Stitchfinity. Lord Libidan describes this one as a stitch-along: each envelope adds part of one pattern, and you end up with a festive decoration. Earlier editions used 24 envelopes. Check the maker’s site for a 2026 edition before you buy.

Permin ring calendars. The Permin 1887 Goodnight Story Calendar is worked on 14-count Aida with 21 DMC colors, and the kit includes the rings. You hang your own small gifts from them, so check which of the pictured extras are actually in the box.

Historical Sampler Company. A Nordic-style calendar kit with Zweigart 16-count Aida, a black and white chart, pre-sorted DMC threads and a gold-plated needle, sold through Wool Warehouse.

Crochet advent calendars, from beginner kits to nativity sets

Crochet advent calendars tend to build a set of small figures, so they suit people who like amigurumi.

The Woobles. The 2026 calendar holds four crochet kits with video tutorials, four accessory kits, a collector’s hook, a collector’s tin, a snow globe, a surprise collectible and a house display. The Woobles says its kits are made for total beginners, with a pre-started piece, and that the calendar sells out every year.

Gründl crochet nativity calendar. The yarn maker’s calendar works up 12 amigurumi nativity figures over 24 days, with cotton yarns and an instruction booklet. Gründl says the packaging becomes the stable, and that the kit suits new and experienced crocheters. Ready-made sets are in our nativity advent calendar guide.

Free crochet patterns. CrazyPatterns has published a free series of 24 Christmas ornament patterns, released one a day and pitched at advanced beginners. Free patterns plus a bag of yarn make a low-cost calendar you put together yourself.

Sewing advent calendars and what is usually inside

Sewing advent calendars lean toward notions, the small tools sewists use every day.

Hemline. The V&A Shop sells a Hemline haberdashery calendar with 24 items. Its list includes a pom-pom maker, measuring gauge, scissors, snips, glass head pins, a thimble, a tomato pincushion, a seam ripper, two tape measures, fabric clips, metal bobbins, threads, needle threaders and yarn needles. The V&A ships it within Great Britain only, and contents change between editions, so check the list for the year on the box.

Dressmaking boxes. Some sewing calendars are a bigger project. One UK fabric shop’s 2025 box held two dressmaking projects with exclusive patterns, plus the fabric and haberdashery to make them.

A notions calendar makes a good starter kit for a new sewist. An experienced dressmaker may prefer a box with fabric and patterns, since most already own the basic tools.

What to check before you order a craft calendar

A few checks save disappointment, especially with small-maker and imported kits.

• Ships to the US. Caterpillar Cross Stitch ships worldwide, but some UK sellers, like the V&A Shop, ship within Great Britain only. Confirm the delivery window and any customs charges.
• Arrives before December 1. Preorder calendars ship in batches. A box that ships late loses the countdown.
• Skill level. Look for “beginner” in the maker’s description, plus video or chart help.
• Pattern only or full kit. Some listings, like Tiny Modernist’s cross stitch calendar, sell a PDF chart without fabric or floss.
• The year. Sealed past editions are fine as gifts, but match the year to the contents you expect.

Making your own craft supply calendar

A fabric or wooden calendar filled with floss, mini skeins, needle minders or small notions works for any crafter. Our reusable advent calendar guide compares pocket and drawer sizes, and the advent calendar filler ideas page lists small gifts that fit each door. Knitters have their own guide to knitting advent calendars. For more hobby ideas for grown-ups, see advent calendars for adults, or start from the best advent calendars.

For every way to build, fill and reuse a calendar, see our reusable and DIY advent calendars section.