I’m an embroiderer, I think it may help to understand different types of stitching
cross stitch , tapestry, black work, kogin etc are all sort of counted stitching. You are building up a pattern or picture using stitches of set sizes on a cloth which has an even weave with holes of set sizes. You need a design up front. You can do this yourself, or buy a kit. But you sort of need to know where you are going with it. I personally can’t do counted stitch work as my eyes struggle to cope with focussing on counted pattern and my work at same time - in truth I find it a bit dull too. I do love the look of kogin and black work though
other embroidery techniques rely on you deciding length of stitch and direction in more free flowing ways. Again you can get kits and you need usefully an outline of what you are embroidering which you can do yourself or buy preprinted cloth. what you want to do depends entirely on what you like. I suggest you look on line at designs using crewel work, modern free embroidery, silk shading, stump work, gold work. Some of these are advanced, but a beginners kit in a particular technique will give you a good chance of learning what you need and loads of videos on YouTube to help. There are some lovely kits out there in all these types of techniques so look for something you love and won’t get fed up with. Start with something small so you get results quickly. Aim to spend no more than £30 on a first kit to get you going,
some kits are out there using appliqué techniques where you stitch cloth over other cloth and are being described as slow stitching - some are lovely and it’s a nice textile technique but arguably not pure embroidery. And I’d argue all hand embroidery is slow stitching
another technique you might want to look at to start with is Sashiko- really simple stitch and very quick results. The real art , like most things Japanese, is the perfection in the stitching . Some great little kits available to make coasters etc with quick results to see if you actually like the act of stitching. Also Sashiko doesn’t require a frame, stand etc. it’s a very cheap option to get going,
non counted embroidery is all about technique. It takes time to learn that like most muscle memory. Be prepared that to start with you may unpick as much as you stitch. Gradually you’ll get onto the swing of it, you’re stitches will become more even and faster.
cross stitch, Sashiko, can get you results without having to master too much technique especially if using a kit.