| Starting a new craft can be exciting, but it | | | | up-to-date than many books you may be able to |
| can also be expensive. You probably don't | | | | find. |
| want to go out and spend a lot of money on | | | | |
| materials since you might not even like the | | | | Another great place to explore is a major |
| craft after you try the first project. What's | | | | craft store like Michael's or Hobby Lobby. |
| a tentative crafter to do? Find free cross | | | | Find the section that carries the cross |
| stitch patterns, either online, in books, or | | | | stitch accessories and then look for areas |
| in magazines, to save yourself some of the | | | | that may have free cross stitch patterns |
| expense. | | | | available. You can often find them at the |
| | | | cashier's area. Craft stores host a lot of |
| Let's start low tech and visit your local | | | | teaching classes as well and they are often |
| public library. Library books are classified | | | | free demos for potential custo mers. These |
| according to the Dewey Decimal system and a | | | | demonstrators will usually have a free sample |
| good place to start would be section 746, the | | | | available for you to practice. They are often |
| textile arts books. Numerous books have been | | | | quite cute! While you are there, don't forget |
| written over the years on all types of | | | | to stock up on your supplies of threads, |
| embroidery and needlecraft. I would suggest | | | | hoops, needles and any other goodies you need |
| you borrow books that cover a range of | | | | for your project. |
| needleworks in addition to those specific to | | | | |
| cross stitch. | | | | The best place to look for cross stitch |
| | | | patterns, however, is the internet. Do a |
| Check when the books were published, older | | | | search for "free cross stitch patterns" and |
| books may help you learn the techniques but | | | | you will come up with a plethora of links. Of |
| any patterns included may be out of date and | | | | course, you'll need an idea of what you're |
| not suitable for modern day projects. Over | | | | interested in before searching, but you |
| time different embroidery techniques have | | | | should be able to find almost any subject |
| passed in and out of fashion, generally it | | | | matter. From alligators to zebras, you're |
| seems, coming back into favour after a gap of | | | | sure to find a pattern to suit you on the |
| around thirty years. Although samplers from | | | | internet. |
| Victorian times and before included cross | | | | |
| stitch, it has only been used in its modern | | | | Cross stitch is a wonderful hobby, and it can |
| form since the 1980's. | | | | be quite expensive, but it doesn't have to |
| | | | be. From your local library, to crafts |
| If you can't find a chart you like in a book | | | | stores, to the internet, instructions and |
| from the library, peruse the magazine | | | | patterns are everywhere. Find a pattern you |
| section. They may have magazines such as Just | | | | like and take the plunge into cross stitching |
| Cross Stitch, The Cross Stitcher, or Cross | | | | with one of the many free cross stitch |
| Stitch Collection. While you may have to pay | | | | patterns that are available to you. |
| for the magazine, the patterns are more | | | | |