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| included may be out of date and not suitable for | | | | interested in before searching, but you should be able |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