It’s no secret that knitting, sewing and embroidery have been some of the hottest design trends of recent years. Sweeping across Instagram in a swathe of colour and fancy stitchery, it’s been pure inspiration to see how new generations of crafters are re-imagining retro skills.
Cross stitch is no exception and I have so much fun putting a twist on this time-honoured hobby with modern cross stitch kits and patterns.
In fact, I think that for beginners looking to start a brand new craft, cross stitch is probably the perfect answer. Here’s why.
MODERN CROSS STITCH ISN'T EXCLUSIVE
The level of skill might vary but the truth is (just like football), when it comes to doing cross stitch, anyone can join in. The basics of cross stitch are pretty simple to grasp when you use a modern kit, plus materials to build your collection are inexpensive and easy to find.
Once you’ve got the hang of the basic stitch itself, it’s very easy to practice knotting and using threads. With a decent cross stitch chart to show you colours and patterns, creating something very beautiful is really only a few steps away.
PROJECTS ARE PORTABLE
Unless you’re working on something very big indeed, one of the joys of cross stitch is that you can carry it around with you.
Unlike sewing at a machine or knitting, you can tuck smaller projects into your bag for a train or plane journey or stitch while you relax with your favourite TV show. Cross stitch doesn’t demand it’s own workshop or take up valuable home space you need to share with others, making it ideal to pick up when you have a spare moment.
CROSS STITCH IS GOOD FOR MENTAL HEALTH
As design-conscious professionals, we’re spending more time than ever before online but creating far fewer things we can actually touch.
Making things is just a part of being human, so to combat the pressure of work, many people turn to creativity for a positive release. The repetitive action of doing a hobby like cross stitch creates a natural state of mindfulness and satisfaction as you actually touch and see what you’ve been working on.
With the hectic lifestyles we lead, it just makes sense to put everything you need to craft in one place. With a modern cross stitch kit there’s no need to trawl the internet for patterns or materials and no expensive mistakes that can’t be rectified.
YOUR OWN WORK IS UNIQUE
One of the biggest buzz-words of the moment (and rightly so) is sustainability and there’s little more sustainable that creating something beautiful and long-lasting yourself.
Rather than buying cheaper textiles and home decorations that need to be replaced more frequently, working a funky design with a modern cross stitch kit is a great way to personalise your own space, or gift to someone else.
One of the best things of all is that while it’s easy to get started with cross stitch, there’s always a bigger challenge to sink your teeth into, making cross stitch a fantastic hobby from beginner to professional!
