When I was 8 years old my mother and my aunt taught me how to cross stitch and I loved it. I would spend hours stitching, and if I didn't have threads on hand at the time, I would copy tiny charts on grid notebooks with colored markers. Cross stitch has been with me throughout my life: sometimes more closely, sometimes more distantly, but it has always been there. Today I will show you five reasons why I think you should start cross stitching; or if you already know how to cross stitch and haven't done it for many years, five reasons why you should take it up again. Today I will explain some of the wonders of this old friend of mine and, today, my life partner.
1. Cross Stitch is relaxing
Cross stitch embroidery is something that will require all your attention: changing colors, counting stitches, crossing out the process in your pattern, etc. You won't have time to think about anything else. Cross stitch forces you to be in the present moment and is a mindfulness activity (yes, like yoga or meditation).
For me, those moments of couch, blanket, cat (or dog, depending on the day), audiobook in the background and lamp over my head while cross stitching are therapeutic.
This type of needlework is an activity that can help people with anxiety problems to be in the present moment and keep thoughts at bay during this time between threads and needles. I leave you a super interesting post on the subject of Mr. X Stitch here.
2. Cross Stitch is slow
We live in a world where everything has to be faster and faster to be better; we live disconnected from natural rhythms and stress and overwhelm are rampant. Dedicating yourself to an activity that is slow in itself and cannot be otherwise is a great act of rebellion. Knowing that this project is going to take you many hours, that you are going to advance at your own pace and that it's okay to go slowly (because it really is) helps us to scrape with our fingers what is known as slow movement, a cultural movement that bets on slowing down and getting off this fast world.
3. Cross Stitch is motivating
You have a project in front of you. Big or small, appropriate to your level. Your kit or your stitching supplies look at you with desire, waiting for you to decide to start. And you embark on a new adventure: maybe a little while after breakfast to start the day relaxed, maybe after dinner, enjoying that time of doing nothing between dinner and bedtime. Whatever it is, you are putting stitches in a drawing that little by little is taking shape and is coming to life. Each step, no matter how small, brings you closer to the goal and that is why cross stitch encourages motivation and self-discipline. The feeling of finishing one project and starting another is wonderful. However, you'll probably end up like most of us, diehard cross stitchers, with a shelf full of half finished projects to pick at (it's not the most organized way to go but the funniest!).
4. Cross Stitch is modern
The fruit clock and the pictures of wine glasses that grandmothers had in the kitchen, that towel with your name made with teddy bear letters that an aunt embroidered for you when you were little (if she let you choose the color of the letters it was the ultimate fantasy), the picture of your baptism or communion or even of your parents' wedding. A landscape of very rare colors. A collection of antique vases. Maybe you are familiar with some of these, in fact, it is even the first thing that comes to mind when you hear "cross stitch" (At least these projects were peak cross stitch in Spain when I was little!). Well, I'm happy to announce that while all that retro embroidery is wonderful, today there is a new scene of designers who have rediscovered cross stitch as something that can be brought into the 21st century just fine. Search Instagram, gossip on Pinterest, create lists of favorites on Etsy. You can be sure that you will find THAT pattern, THAT kit, that makes you reconnect with something that maybe someone tried to teach you one day and you thought was boring as hell. Or you liked it, but what you didn't like were the designs on the embroidery magazines. Try to reconnect with the tradition of cross stitch from modernity, you will discover a lot of things that I am sure will fascinate you.
5. The Cross Stitch community is huge and beautiful
The cross stitch community on social media is fantastic. It is a world where sharing and supporting is basic. Immerse yourself in this universe of colorful threads, hand-dyed fabrics and infinite designs. People from all over the world united by colorful crosses. Share your new hobby with the world, new doors will open for you.
Here are some Instagram accounts through which you can discover what I'm talking about:
Start with these to get into the wonderful rabbit hole of cross stitch!
I hope I have awakened your curiosity for cross stitching and if you feel like getting a pattern or going to the haberdashery or the crafts store to look for materials, you will make me really happy.
Hugs!
Anna