This article was written by The Zillennial Zine’s fall editorial intern Alexandrea Ciardella. Find her on Instagram at @a6ysma1. If you would like to share an article with The Zillennial, send us an email at thezillennialzine@gmail.com.
Starting a new craft project may seem a little daunting at first, especially if you’re worried about learning a new skill or not having the time to work on it. But, if you’re the creative type who is looking for their next project or just somebody who’s looking for an activity to kill time, I would recommend trying cross-stitching. Cross-stitching is a great casual project to work on without needing to learn any complex skills (in all honesty, sometimes the most difficult part is threading the needle!). If you find yourself asking “Is cross-stitching easy?” and want to know more, here’s a guide to help you understand if cross-stitching is the right project for you.
You Enjoy Repetitive Tasks Without Getting Bored
Some people find cross-stitching a relaxing activity as it is very repetitive. It’s easy to find something like this boring, especially with the amount of time some of the larger projects take. I recommend watching a movie or listening to a podcast while cross-stitching, if you’re not comfortable sitting in silence for very long.
You’re Determined To Finish Long-Term Projects
Cross-stitching isn’t a very active project, requiring you to sit in the same spot for long periods. Projects can take hours, or even days to complete, so you may want to be wary of any mental fatigue you may experience. If you have the determination for long-term projects, cross-stitching may be a great craft for you.
You Have An Eye For Detail
Discovering that your design is crooked is one of the worst parts of cross-stitching. Realizing that you might have to undo hours of work in order to fix it may deter you from the medium altogether. Cross-stitching is suited for people who have a good eye for detail and can spot a mistake from a mile away.
How To Get Started
If your budget is what’s holding you back from starting a new project, cross-stitching is a relatively cheap activity. Embroidery floss is affordable, each color costing a little over a dollar. If you’re really new to cross-stitching, I would recommend starting with a kit. Some kits provide everything you need, including fabric, floss, needles, embroidery hoops, and a colored-coded guide. Cross-stitching kits are a great way to introduce yourself to the medium. I recommend the Kikkerland kits as they are small projects and are affordable.
If you’re comfortable enough to start on a project without a guide, go for it! It’s a great way to get your imagination flowing as you try to figure out how to properly stitch your design.
Is cross stitching easy for you? Did this guide help? Let us know what you think in the comments below!
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