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5 reasons why NOW is the perfect time to get started with cross stitch

5 Reasons Why NOW is the Best Time to Get Started with Cross Stitch

Cross stitch is everywhere right now. <img draggable=

And I know many people see all the pretty pictures, or cool looking patterns, and they think about cross stitch… and wonder if it’s “right” for them.

Most people sit on the fence for a LONG time before giving it a shot. 

If that’s you, I’m here to help you hop off that fence and head on a path towards an amazing new hobby RIGHT NOW!

5 reasons why NOW is the best time to get started with cross stitching

1. There’s something for everyone.

Cross stitch has a reputation of being “old” or for “old ladies.”
But just because you may have only seen “old” style patterns, doesn’t mean that’s all that exists. 

I challenge you to open Google and type in the first thing you think of, plus the phrase “cross stitch pattern” and see what pops up.

Go ahead, do it.
I’ll wait.


Did you try it?
Were you surprised by the results?


There are thousands of small, independent designers – like me – that sell patterns online. Which means there’s millions of cross stitch patterns easily available now, with styles + subjects that vary so widely it’s nearly impossible to not find something that speaks to you.

And when it comes to creating heartfelt, handmade gifts, you can’t beat cross stitch for this exact reason. You can find a pattern that’s perfectly suited for the person’s interests, stitch it and have an amazing gift!

Do you have a kitchen with a chicken theme? Find some chicken cross stitch patterns.

Decorating a nursery with a woodland forest theme? Stitch an adorable fox pattern.

Seriously, the possibilities are endless with cross stitch! 

2. It’s really budget friendly (when a lot of other “in” hobbies aren’t!)

Cross stitch is one of the few hobbies that’s actually easy on your pocketbook.

In fact, it just might be the most budget-friendly hobby around – which is an important factor to consider. Especially when a lot of the “in” hobbies right now just aren’t. <img draggable=

You don’t need any big, fancy machines to cross stitch. And you definitely don’t need any electronics or monthly subscriptions to expensive software.

Storage really isn’t an issue – most cross stitch supplies are pretty small. Plus, cross stitch won’t take up half your living room every time you want to work on your hobby.

Clean up is a breeze too – just make sure your needle + scissors are safely secured and put your project in a bag. You might have a few pieces of scrap floss to throw away, and that’s it! <img draggable=

You can buy all the supplies to complete a basic, beginner project for less than $25. And you’ll get about 10 – 20 hours of relaxing time with your hobby. (Stitching time does vary heavily from person to person, that’s a rough estimate).

That’s a pretty darn good cost per hour ratio. <img draggable=
And when that’s all said and done, you still have the gorgeous embroidery you just created to show off, too!

All this being said, it’s fully possible (and likely probable) that if you end up really enjoying cross stitch, you’ll spend more money on it. There’s a lot of pretty + fun “extras” that you can buy, but the great thing is that you don’t NEED any of them to cross stitch. 

Having a cute pair of embroidery scissors or a shiny needle minder won’t impact your ability to cross stitch (and do it well) one little bit! You can totally stay on budget if you choose!

Learn Cross Stitch The Easy Way - Download Your Free Copy!

3. It works with your [crazy busy] life

Cross stitch is IDEAL for busy people with hectic, exhausting lives.

Stay with me a minute – I know I get a lot of push back when I make that statement.

Yes, cross stitching is slow. It takes a while to finish one project. Most people think for that reason alone, if they’re busy, they shouldn’t cross stitch.

That’s not true though. And here’s why:

The EFFORT to actually DO a cross stitch project is super minimal, which is a far more important factor than the time to complete a project.

And the mental benefits are perfect for someone with a super busy life – but more on that below! <img draggable=

With cross stitch, there’s very little set up or prep. Even with a brand new project, you can be ready to stitch (assuming you’ve already bought supplies) in less than 5 minutes. And if you’re picking up a project that you’ve already started, it’s only a matter of seconds before you’re stitching.

And don’t forget the clean up afterwards. Cross stitch is super quick to put away, and the only mess you’re making might come from a few scraps of embroidery floss.

For some people, that still might not be enough to convince them. Spending hours on ONE project seems like a lot. I get it.

Here’s the BIG factor: you can cross stitch while catching up on Netflix.

It’s entirely possible – and very common – to stitch while relaxing and watching TV. 

So if you’re just exhausted at the end of a day and the only thing you have the mental space for is an episode or two of your favorite show, and you can’t possibly imagine how you’re going to find time for a hobby… I’ve just solved your problem. You do both – at the same time.

Imagine having Netflix sessions where you feel super productive afterwards! <img draggable=

Addionally, cross stitch is super portable. A project will easily fit into a tote bag, so you can take it with you.

I know people who stitch on breaks at work, as a great way to decompress. I’ve stitched in lobbies and doctor’s office waiting rooms. Beyond being a great way to pass the time, it’s a fun conversation starter too. <img draggable=

Cross stitch is a perfect hobby for busy people! And, if you’re still concerned with being able to finish projects, just make sure you’re choosing smaller ones.

4. The community is AMAZING

The cross stitch community is seriously wonderful to be a part of. 

When you’re new to cross stitch, I recommend starting by looking for an online community. Most of us are pretty comfortable connecting online, and it’s pretty easy. Join in when you feel comfortable!

There’s no shortage of Facebook groups, subreddits, and forums dedicated to cross stitch. You can even find ones for specific interests: snarky + subversive, for beginners, for people tackling epic (huge) projects, and more!

Many groups are organized by location, so you can join a group online of crafters in your state or local area, and then when you get more comfortable, join in local meetups.

Some groups I’m in even had virtual stitch nights during the pandemic, which was such a wonderful way to feel connected when we all had to stay in. 

I absolutely love taking a current project up to a coffee shop meetup for a night of stitching with a small group of local crafters. It’s so much fun to meet new people and see the incredible art they’re creating. I always leave excited and inspired! <img draggable=

5. It’s good for your mental health

Cross stitch is widely known to be fantastic for your mental health and well being. 

Many people report a zen-like meditative feeling while they’re stitching. 

It’s because there’s an interesting balance between focus and distraction that occurs while you’re cross stitching.

You need to focus just enough on what you’re doing to follow the pattern, but the repetition of the stitching allows your brain to take over a little bit, too.

For many people with anxiety, this balance means they are not focusing on the thoughts that are causing them stress, and they’re able to peacefully relax while stitching, and watch a show or just enjoy time to themselves.

Beyond the relaxing + stress-busting aspects, cross stitching can also give a feeling of control, or being in control.

As the demands of life get more complex and time consuming, it’s easy to feel like you have no control over your life, time or sometimes just about anything.

But sitting with your cross stitching, being in the moment, and having full power to make any creative choice you want (even if that’s to simply follow the pattern) can be quite refreshing!

And, while this was mentioned above, there’s a fantastic community of cross stitchers all over the world. Feeling alone is never healthy – it’s natural to want to “belong.” Joining in and participating (even just a little) in cross stitch communities can provide a wonderful sense of belonging that helps even when you’re feeling especially down or isolated.

Overall, cross stitch is a relaxing and wonderful hobby that keeps your brain calm + sharp!

These are just 5 reasons why cross stitch is a fantastic hobby, but I could’ve made this list so much longer.

The bottom line is that if you’re interested or curious about cross stitch, you should give it a try and see if you like it.

The barrier to entry is so low – it won’t cost you much, and you can work on your project while you enjoy some downtime.

I have no doubt that you’ll be able to find a project that you like. And most of all – there’s so much to gain! The mental health benefits are significant and the community of cross stitchers is waiting for you!

If you’re ready to get started + haven’t downloaded your Cross Stitch Roadmap yet – click the image below. I created the Roadmap specifically for beginners, just like you!

Learn Cross Stitch The Easy Way - Download Your Free Copy!

5 reasons why NOW is the perfect time to get started with cross stitch

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