cross stitch really is universally popular.

Article Source: http://www.hobbyarticledirectory.com
John Wigham has been a professional author and editor for 20 years and is a co-founder of Patterns Patch an online cross stitch club dedicated to counted cross stitch. The website has a small team of writers who are devoted to our cross stitch club and enjoy writing about their hobby.
10 Good Reasons to Take Up Cross Stitch
By: John Wigham

There are a numerous reasons for taking up the beguiling, blue-collar craft of cross stitch, ten of which are shown below. So continue reading then pay a visit to your local craft shop and start your cross stitching career today.

1. Why "blue-collar" you might ask? Well! When compared to most other pastimes, cross stitch is truly inexpensive; there's no fancy or expensive machinery. When you
Algerian Plaited Stitch

Alternating Cross Stitch

Alternating Scotch Stitch

Arrowhead Cross Stitch

Bazaar Stitch

Binding Stitch

Bokhara Couching Stitch

Bokhara Couching Stitch (Diagonal)

Bokhara Couching Stitch (Staggered)

Bound Cross Stitch

Brazilian Stitch

Cross Stitch

Cross Stitch (Half) - See Tent Stitch

Cross Stitch (Heavy)

Cross Corners Stitch

Crossed Mosaic Stitch

Crossed Plait Stitch (See Mexican Cross Stitch)

Crossed Scotch Stitch

Czar Stitch

Diagonal Cross Stitch

Diagonal Fishbone Stitch

Double Cross Stitch (AKA Reversed Cross Stitch)

Double Straight Cross Stitch

Economic Stitch (See Czar Stitch)

Fern Stitch

Fishbone Stitch

Greek Stitch

Herringbone Stitch

Herringbone Couching Stitch

Herringbone Gone Wrong Stitch

Hobnail Stitch

Houndstooth Cross Stitch

Italian Cross Stitch

Ladder Stitch

Leviathon Stitch (AKA Smyrna Cross Stitch)

Long and Short Oblique Stitch (See Fishbone Stitch)

Long Armed Corner Cross Stitch

Long Armed Cross Stitch

Long Armed Reverse Cross Stitch (See Greek Stitch)

Long Legged Cross Stitch (See Long Armed Cross Stitch)

Mexican Cross Stitch

Montenegrin Cross Stitch

Oblong Cross Stitch

Padded Rice Stitch

Padded Satin Stitch

Paris Stitch (See Tie Stitch)

Perspective Stitch

Plait Stitch

Plaited Gobelin Stitch

Plaited Slav Stitch (See Long Armed Cross Stitch)

Portuguese Cross Stitch (See Long Armed Cross Stitch)

Raised Cross Stitch

Reinforced Cross Stitch

Reversed Double Cross Stitch

Rice Stitch

Roman Stitch (See Roumanian Stitch)

Roumanian Stitch

Six Step Herringbone Stitch (See Bazaar Stitch)

Smyrna Stitch - See Leviathan Stitch

Spanish Stitch (See Plait Stitch)

Sprats Head Stitch

Square Plait Stitch (See Woven Band Stitch)

St. Andrew Cross Stitch (See Double Cross Stitch)

St. George Cross Stitch (See Double Cross Stitch)

Staggered Cross Stitch

Tie Stitch

Trame Cross Stitch

Triple Cross Stitch

Triple Leviathon Stitch

Tvistom Stitch

Two Side Cross Stitch

Two-Sided Italian Cross Stitch

Upright Cross Stitch

Van Dyke Stitch

Waffle Stitch

Web Stitch

William and Mary Stitch

Woven Band Stitch

Woven Cross Stitch

Woven Scotch Stitch
 
CROSSED STITCHES
Crossed Stitches are a principal stitch used in needlepoint tapestry. They are exactly what the name implies - stitches that are created by crossing the threads
over each other. The size of the crossed stitch can vary, depending on the thickness of the thread and the gauge of the canvas. It is important, however, to make sure that each crossed stitch covers the canvas. These stitches are worked on double canvas. To learn the basics of each stitch, choose a stitch from the list below and click on the link...
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hand it down to your children, thereby creating an heirloom.

3. Even beginners can make cross stitch works that look both beautiful and professional. Starter kits don't need any previous experience and as you develop your skills you can progress to evermore complex patterns. You will never have to scour the shops for that special gift again.

4. Everything you make will be unique and very personal; the perfect gift for every
have bought a kit or the thread and fabric for your own design that's about it for outlay (well, until you buy the next one anyway). Simple kits start from a couple of dollars and you're guaranteed something at the end of it to show for your efforts.

2. Whatever you produce, be it a tiny picture of a mere few inches in diameter, or a sampler that stretches the length of your wall, you will always have it to keep. You can even
while sitting in your armchair watching the TV or alternatively you can take it with you on holiday or on long train journeys. Boredom will surely be a thing of the past.

7. The huge number of cross stitch designs available today means that there will always be something you like, regardless of your ability. Simple designs for beginners incorporate a small number of color threads and very basic stitches so that you don't need to go and read a manual before you make a start. However, as you progress and learn a few more stitches and techniques you can attempt more complex patterns until you really are the professional cross stitcher.

8. There are literally hundreds of websites that offer free patterns to cross stitch. You will have to buy your own threads and fabric but that is half of the challenge! There is absolutely no way on this earth that you will ever run out of things to cross stitch; it really is a hobby for life.

9. As you become more confident and proficient, you can sell some of your creations so making a bit of pocket money while doing something that you love to do. You can even advertise your talents and design patterns for individual customers. Given a few years you could have a nice little business venture as well as a great hobby.

10. Outdoor hobbies such as hill walking and bird watching aren't much fun in the rain or in the middle of winter, but cross stitch   
occasion.

5. Cross stitch is great for stress relief and relaxation. Just sit down with your favorite radio program or CD on and stitch away to your heart's content.

6. Cross stitch is a truly "portable" hobby. You can stitch
can be done at any time of the year regardless of the weather. In fact it's a great feeling to sit in a nice warm, cozy house on a dull winter evening and happily stitch the hours away.
Overall, cross stitch really is a universal hobby anyone can master and if your curiosity does get the better of you, you will undoubtedly become hooked in no time. Historically, cross stitching has a rather vague stigma attached to it as being thought of by many as just a "pensioner" activity. But this couldn't be further from the truth, people of all ages cross stitch, even teenagers and children... and yes men too! ... and hey! If you don't believe me, have a go yourself, you'll soon find out why 

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***Stitch Index*** (Alphabetical)
A - I

2,4,6,8 & Tie Stitch

Algerian Eye Stitch

Algerian Eye Daisy
Stitch

Algerian Filling Stitch

Algerian Plait Stitch

Alternating Cross
Stitch

Astrakhan Stitch

Aubusson Stitch

Back Stitch

Bargello Stitch

Basketweave Stitch

Bazaar Stitch

Binding Stitch

Bokhara Couching Stitch

Bokhara Couching Stitch (Diagonal)

Bokhara Couching Stitch (Staggered)

Brazilian Stitch

Brick Stitch

Brighton Stitch

Bullion Knot

Buttonhole Stitch

Buttonhole Stitch (Detached)

Buttonhole Stitch (Double)

Buttonhole Stitch (Tailored)

Buttonhole Stitch (Whipped)

Buttonhole Wheel
Stitch

Byzantine Stitch

Cable Stitch

Cashmere Stitch

Chain Stitch

Chain Stitch
(Braided Variation)

Chain Stitch
(Heavy Variation)

Chain Stitch
(Interlaced Variation)

Chain Stitch (Lazy
Daisy Variation)

Chain Stitch
(Raised Variation)

Checker Stitch

Continental Stitch

Coral Knot Stitch

Couching Stitch

Couching Stitch (Buttonhole Variation)

Couching Stitch (Herringbone Variation)

Couching Stitch
(Open Chain  Variation)

Cretan Stitch

Cretan Stitch
(Diagonal Variation)

Cross Stitch

Cross Stitch (Bound)

Cross Stitch (Diagonal)

Cross Stitch (Heavy)

Cross Stitch (Houndstooth)

Cross Stitch (Reinforced)

Cross Stitch
(Reversed Double)

Cross Stitch
(Staggered)

Cross Stitch (St.Andrew)

Cross Stitch
(St.George)

Cross Stitch (Trame)

Cross Stitch (Triple)

Cross Stitch
(Two-Sided)

Cross Stitch
(Woven)

Cushion Stitch

Czar Stitch

Diagonal Stitch

Darning Stitch

Diagonal Buttonhole Stitch

Diagonal Interlaced Stitch

Diagonal Leaf Stitch

Diamond Stitch

Diamond Eyelet Stitch

Diaper Pattern Stitch

Double Cross Stitch

Double Knot Stitch

Double Star Stitch

Double Stitch

Double Straight
Cross Stitch

Droit Stitch

Eastern Stitch

Economic Stitch

Egyptian Stitch

Encroaching Slanted Gobelin Stitch

Eye Stitch

Eye Stitch with Backstitch

Fan Stitch

Fancy Stitch

Feather Stitch

Fern Stitch

Fishbone Stitch

Fishbone Stitch (Diagonal)

Flame Stitch

Flat Stitch

Flat Stitch (Crossed)

Florentine Stitch

Florentine Stitch (Split)

Fly Stitch (Closed)

French Knot

French Stitch

Ghiordes Knot

Gobelin Stitch

Gobelin Droit Stitch

Gobelin Filling Stitch

Gobelin Stitch
(Trammed Upright)

Greek Stitch

Half Cross Stitch

Herringbone Stitch

Herringbone Stitch (Double)

Herringbone Gone Wrong Stitch

Herringbone Stitch
(Six Step)

Hobnail Stitch

Hungarian Stitch

Hungarian Diamond Stitch

Hungarian Ground
Stitch

Hungarian Ground
Stitch (Diagonal)

Hungarian Point Stitch

Interlocking Gobelin Stitch














***Stitch Index*** (Alphabetical)
I - Z

Irish Stitch

Jacquard Stitch

Kalem Stitch

Kelim Stitch

Kilim Stitch

Knitting Stitch

Knitting Stitch (Diagonal)

Knitting Stitch
(Reverse Tvistom)

Knotted Stitch

Knotted Stitch (Single)

Ladder Stitch

Leaf Stitch

Leaf Stitch (Diagonal)

Leaf Stitch with Backstitch

Leviathan Stitch

Leviathan Stitch (Double)

Leviathan Stitch
(Triple)

Long Armed Cross Stitch

Long Stitch

Long and Short Stitch

Loop Stitch

Mexican Cross Stitch

Milanese Stitch

Montenegrin Stitch

Moorish Stitch

Mosaic Stitch

Mosaic Stitch (Crossed)

Mound Stitch

Nobuko Stitch

Oblique Stitch

Oblique Stitch (Diagonal)

Oblique Stitch (Reverse)

Oblique Slav Stitch

Oblong Cross Stitch

Oblong Cross Stitch with Backstitch

Oriental Stitch

Outline Stitch

Palestrina Stitch

Palace Pattern Stitch

Paris Stitch

Parisian Stitch

Pavillion Stitch

Perspective Stitch

Plait Stitch

Plait Stitch (Crossed)

Plait Stitch (Square)

Plaited Edge Stitch

Plaited Gobelin Stitch

Plaited Interlaced Stitch

Portuguese Cross Stitch

Portuguese Stem Stitch

Princess Pattern Stitch

Pyramid Stitch

Quick Point

Raised Stitch

Raised Cross Stitch

Ray Stitch

Ray Stitch (Expanded)

Renaissance Stitch

Rep Stitch

Reverse Bargello

Reversed Basketweave Stitch

Reversed Cross Stitch

Rhodes Stitch

Ribbed Wheels Stitch

Rice Stitch

Rice Stitch (Padded)

Rococco Stitch

Roman Stitch

Rope Stitch

Roumanian Stitch

Rug Binding Stitch

Rya Stitch

Satin Stitch

Satin Stitch
(Alternating)

Satin Stitch
(Padded)

Scotch Stitch

Scotch Stitch (Alternating)

Scotch Stitch (Condensed)

Scotch Stitch (Crossed)

Scotch Stitch (Woven)

Scottish Stitch

Sheaf Stitch

Shell Stitch

Single Knotted Stitch

Slanted Gobelin Stitch

Smyrna Cross Stitch

Sorbello Stitch

Soumak Stitch

Spanish Stitch

Spider Web Stitch

Split Stitch

Sprats Head Stitch

Square Plait Stitch

Star Stitch

Star Stitch (Large)

Stem Stitch

Stem Stitch
(Diagonal)

Stepped Sheaf Stitch

Surrey Stitch

Sutherland Pattern Stitch

Tapestry Stitch

Tent Stitch

Tent Stitch (Alternating)

Tent Stitch
(Diagonal Mosaic)

Tie Stitch

Trame

Trammed Tent Stitch

Triangle Stitch

Tufting Stitch

Turkey Stitch

Tvistom Stitch

Two Sided Italian
Cross Stitch

Upright Cross Stitch

Van Dyke Stitch

Velvet Stitch

Waffle Stitch

Wave Stitch (Closed)

Wave Stitch (Open)

Weaving Stitch

Web Stitch

Wheat Sheaf Stitch

Woven Band Stitch

Woven Pattern Stitch

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