Pineapple Mini String Art Kit by Wizardi M1-4 DHAA28292

A golden-yellow pineapple with a spiky dark green crown stands on this round pine board. It is a DIY string art kit: you set the nails, wind the thread and end up with a piece of wall or shelf decor you made yourself.

Since colonial times the pineapple has been the sign of welcome and hospitality, carved over doorways and set in the middle of the table for guests. Nail-and-thread pictures like this grew out of curve stitching, the 1800s math lesson in thread, and became a favorite home craft in the 1970s.

Why this kit: a palm-size board that stands on its own little easel, so it is finished and on display the same evening; a single bold shape that fills in fast, ideal for a first string art project; and all you need in one small box, hammer included.

Kit includes: a round pre-drilled pine board, a mini wooden display easel, a bag of nails, colored thread, a small hammer and an instruction sheet showing the winding and knotting methods. Not included: scissors for trimming the thread ends.

Tap the nails into the pre-drilled holes with the small hammer, tie the thread to a starting nail, outline the shape first and then fill it in with criss-cross passes, one color at a time, finishing with a small knot. The nails are small and sharp, so it is a project for adults, teens and older children working with an adult.

The finished piece measures about 11 cm (4.3 in) across. It is a natural fit for a kitchen, an entryway or a guest room, and makes a thoughtful gift for a host, a new neighbor or a tropical fan.