When I had cross stitch lessons at school I thought it was a hobby for ladies of middle age or older, or characters in Elizabeth Gaskell and Jane Austen novels. Now I am quite addicted to stitching, I find it a good way to relax and be creative at the same time. I started out with kits and still stitch them now and again, but generally I design my own charts for myself, family and friends. I find that most people really appreciate a gift that you have taken the time and care to design and stitch for them. Getting started.... I think that the easiest way to start is to buy a kit from a craft shop. These contain a chart,instruction leaflet, aida fabric, threads ...  Read the complete review

INTRODUCTION I have been cross stitching on and off for years now and still to this day I enjoy it, I am glad I have taken it up as one of my hobbies but like any other hobby it can be quite expensive. I don't have a lot of time at the moment for my hobbies apart from when my little goes to school and bed, but to be honest be time he goes to be I am shattered and don't tend to much apart from sit in front of the tele, as I am to tired. When it comes to doing my hobbies in the day it also is a little difficult as there is always chores to do or because I am now a rep for avon that takes up my time too. So I do tend to fit this hobby in when I ...  Read the complete review

3 years ago I genuinely felt that cross stitch was for old people - not for someone like me. My 51 year old mother-in-law has cross stitched for 20 years and spends every night engrossed in some form of needlework. And then my perception was shattered when a friend of mine who is the same age as me brought her cross stitch into work. I took the mick out of her and her 'hobby for the old'! She took it well and said I ought to give it a go. I laughed at her and said that it wasn't my cup of tea. I would rather go to the pub or watch TV. So, 3 months on (Dec 1998) I had this bizarre urge to buy a cross stitch kit! I have no idea why as I had shown no ...  Read the complete review

I mean there are worse things to be addicted to aren't there? I mean I've written about others before (alcohol etc)! In this case it is a hobby which has become an addiction offering me fulfilment, enjoyment, relaxation and admiration - now you can't say that for many addictions! Still confused? I'm talking about cross-stitching - not just the reserve of bored housewives and grannies - I know of a few of us younger folk that love it. I first become entranced by this hobby about a year ago - stuck at home all day through illness and unable to pursue most of my prior daily activities I was at a loss with what to do with my spare ...  Read the complete review

I discovered cross stitch when a friend sent me a cross stitch wedding invite. Up until then I thought that it was only pictures that you could cross stitch, once I discovered that you could do all sorts of other things I was hooked. I tend to cross stitch for other people, i.e. I do special cards such as weddings, birth of babies etc. There's load of different card mounts to buy and for a pack of five at around £2.50 it's quite a lot cheaper then buying a card in the shops. My favourite item to stitch is a guest towel, basically it's just big enough to wipe your hands on and it has a little Aida strip down the bottom of it. However, it is extremely ...  Read the complete review