Cross Stitching in general

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 ...

I have recently gained interest in a brand new hobby, which has even took me away from the many an hour I used to while away on here ? I have taken up cross stitching. This was a spur of the moment thing. I went for a day out at Pollok Country Park in Glasgow, and I was doing the obligatory browse through the gift shop, when I spotted a ?kit?, to be completed in half cross stitch, and showing a view of the city of Glasgow. My kit cost £34.99, and completed, it measures about 15? by 12? so it is a decent sized piece of artwork. It took me three weeks to finish, working on it most evenings, and it looks rather good, if I say so myself, despite a few ...

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 ...