How magazines and YouTube helped to reignite my love for Cross Stitch

Customer experience/submission

I have cross stitched since i was a child, but stopped at age 15. It was only last November i started stitching again. Over this time I have completed so many projects. Most of them have been gifts for family members.

I am the type of crafter who likes to start one project and see it through to the end before starting another. A cross stitch I choose will generally take about 1 month – working for around an hour each evening.

My current cross stitch I started in July and is has been a tricky one! It is three pages long and is by far the largest cross stitch i have ever completed. It is a Christmas piece so i will get it finished to hang on the wall this christmas!

My favourite cross stitch magazine is Cross Stitcher. Just cross stitch is also good – however, i find the patterns harder to read – i haven’t actually completed any patters from that magazine yet.

My favourite cross stitch designer is Emma Congdon – I love her patterns. I also started subscribing to Disney Cross Stitch – this is a part works which is almost coming to the end. However, it has been extended numerous times due to its popularity.

It was Hachette partworks who have now introduced me to crochet. I have never crocheted before – they have released a new title called Disney Crochet. I just thought – i am going to give this a go! I tried to complete a couple of the squares that come with the magazine and learned some basic stitches with the help of Bella Coco – on Youtube. I have really enjoyed learning this new craft and it is so calming and peaceful.

I made a baby blanket for my new nephew in 4 days! Its so soft and warm made in thick baby yarn. There is a huge sense of achievement when you complete something and know that you made it!

I have now moved onto learning how to do crochet amigurumi – this is a huge craze on instagram and youtube and the things people make are simply stunning! My favourite youtuber currently for patterns is Hooked by Robin – her videos are so easy to follow and I have successfully made an octopus and a jelly fish. I don’t think they are bad for first attempts.

The only thing standing in my way now is trying to build up a wool supply and the time!

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