Some cross-stitch chat?

[CrossStitch87]

I love to cross stitch. One of my favourite ways to spend an evening - wine, audiobook, cross stitch. My friends make fun of me for my “old lady” hobby but my god it’s so relaxing.

i was just kind of keen to speak to others who enjoy it, as I don’t know anyone else who does it. I am relatively new to it and can follow a pattern with ease but I’m not creative enough to make up my own or anything.

I’d also like to know - what do you do with your works? I make some for little presents. And I have a couple of framed ones. But I was in hobbycraft yesterday and didn’t buy a new one because I couldn’t think what I’d do with it.

Also - what is the difference with an embroidery kit? Is embroidery harder?

I love cross stitch. It's very relaxing. I tend to do patterns that are very complex and take a year or two as I like the deep concentration they need. When I want something easier, I like Carolyn Manning designs.

I mostly hang them up in frames. But part of the reason I do very complex designs is that it slows me down in production. I also like to crochet and quilt but I have more blankets and quilts than I could use in a lifetime.

I love cross stitch too, nothing better that an evening of cross stitch and something not requiring much concentration on the TV. I have several on the go at once and flit based on mood. Always have one large, complex one, one or two medium ones and one or two small ones on the go. Am hopeless when I finish though as I don’t get around to framing very often so have a pile of them waiting. Smaller ones I frame using a hoop, v simple!

I can’t get to grips with the hoop! It’s like I can’t get the aida to fold properly.

My current projects :)

www.stitcher.co.uk/view-product?ssn=9189&product=dimensions-beacon-at-daybreak-cross-stitch-kit

www.lovecrafts.com/en-gb/p/dimensions-lakeside-village-cross-stitch-kit-38cm-x-30cm?sku=10195704&ef_id=Cj0KCQjw2_OWBhDqARIsAAUNTTET8wCU9pTDEQNWCDNsUwXyJdFQDPsap51d-HswnD50D8LJJt8lmR8aApn6EALw_wcB:G:s&gclid=Cj0KCQjw2_OWBhDqARIsAAUNTTET8wCU9pTDEQNWCDNsUwXyJdFQDPsap51d-HswnD50D8LJJt8lmR8aApn6EALw_wcB&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=shopping_gb&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=17301092329&utm_term=&gclid=Cj0KCQjw2_OWBhDqARIsAAUNTTET8wCU9pTDEQNWCDNsUwXyJdFQDPsap51d-HswnD50D8LJJt8lmR8aApn6EALw_wcB

Can't stand cross stitch. Too much bloody counting!

Do like printed canvas needlepoint and free form embroidery when you fill a marked shape with stitches.

Have a look at Hannah Bass for contemporary needlepoint kits. I love her stuff and want a cushion on my sofa for all the places I have an emotional connection to. So far I've finished one cushion!!

There's a crafting board on MN. In case you're looking for more replies .

I used to do a lot of cross stitch but don’t do so much any more as I now wear glasses but it’s still hard to do close work. I’ve tried all sorts of contraptions but nothing is great.
Does anyone else have this?

I have these in the "waiting to be done" drawer...
Christmas Interior
Dreaming of a White Christmas

This one is about 1/3 finished New York

I love all of those Hannah. The favourite one I have completed in the past is

merejka.com/products/cross-stitch-kit-london

@DreamingofItaly2023 I love that one, how did you find it? - I'm torn between that and this Luca S London one.
One of them will probably go on my "Dear Father Christmas, I've been a good girl..." list for DH

I love cross stitch. I started as a teenager 😂 so I’ve clearly been an old lady my whole life! Embrace it now (mid 30s). I used to do a lot of dress making too in my 20s/early 30s but too much concentration required now I have a child, I just want to blob in front of the tv in the evening which cross stitch allows.

i have done some very complex photo ones of family members which I loved. Currently working on one where the pattern is printed on the Aida, which I’ve never done before. It’s really easy to follow and no counting, but I’m worried the colours are going to show under the stitches which is a shame. I’ll frame it when it’s finished I think.

I love cross stitch! The geeky stitching company has some lovely designs for all seasons so I do the Christmas ones and give them to friends as decorations!

@modgepodge if it's fully stitched, I don't think you'll see the background - especially once it's framed/hung up.

I love cross stitch! I've had one on the go for years which is a very complex Victorian street scene. In between I like to do little projects like bookmarks as gifts for people.

I have two small DC at the moment so no time or energy to stitch but I'm looking forward to getting back into it. Am bookmarking. Keep the inspiration coming!

I no longer cross stitch because my eyesight isn’t good enough. I have started doing embroidery, I find it really relaxing, I also crochet and knit.
Those are some super kits @HannahSternDefoe and @DreamingofItaly2023 😍

I really enjoyed it Hannah and would definitely recommend.

Oh I am so glad that I started this thread now 🤗 i wasn’t sure where to go with it but there is so much more out there than I thought!

I’m actually just finishing one where the pattern is printed on the aida. It’s a pretty basic one and I haven’t enjoyed it as much (but my daughter wants it to put up in her room so I am ploughing on with it).

I'm (very slowly, like glacial) making my way through the Satsuma Street designs.

I've also got a book of "mini masterpieces" I intend to chip away at. They are dinky replicas of famous art.

I love cross stitch in particular bothy kits. The ones that aren’t for presents I tend to frame and stick on my bedroom wall

@BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz Ooh, the mini masterpieces sounds fun -and a bit quicker than the ones in my "queue". I think I've seen something similar in a magazine. Do you have a link please?

This is one of mine

I tend to invent my own. I've just finished one for my friend's 50th birthday. Not given it to her yet. I plan on telling her it's a very special description of our friendship, but when you scan it.... Surprise!

I made Sopranos, Colombo and Breaking Bad for DH for his birthday. DS has a Futurama one of 6 characters, and a cute taco. I'll see if I can find photos.

I don't do kits.

I love to cross stitch! I’m 30 and have been doing projects since I was a teen but got back into it again in the last few years.
I’m working on a big project at the moment - a Japanese garden. I love it so far.
In the past I have given them as gifts like other PPs. They always go down well.
Bothy threads is a great website, I find their plans easy to follow and I highlight as I stitch to make it easier.

I'm a huge fan of cross stitching! I have 40+ projects on the go right now 😁

Here's a recent finish. It’s Thranduil (aka Hot Elf King 😆)

Ive got a bunch of finishes and not one is framed. Ridiculous! Need to learn to do it myself as can’t afford to get them done professionally.