Cross-stitch
The stitcher counts the threads on a piece of evenweave fabric (such as linen) in each direction so that the stitches are of uniform size and appearance.
[2] Cross-stitch is often executed on easily countable fabric called aida cloth,[3] whose weave creates a plainly visible grid of squares with holes for the needle at each corner.
[5] Many folk museums show examples of clothing decorated with cross-stitch, especially from continental Europe and Asia.
Often, motifs and initials were stitched on household items to identify their owner, or simply to decorate the otherwise-plain cloth.
The earliest known cross stitch sampler made in the United States is currently housed at Pilgrim Hall in Plymouth, Massachusetts.
Although there are many cross-stitchers who still employ it in this fashion, it is now increasingly popular to work the pattern on pieces of fabric and hang them on the wall for decoration.
Besides designs created expressly for cross-stitch, there are software programs that convert a photograph or a fine art image into a chart suitable for stitching.
It is a thread made of mercerized cotton, composed of six strands that are only loosely twisted together and easily separable.
Berlin wool work and similar petit point stitchery resembles the heavily shaded, opulent styles of cross-stitch, and sometimes also used charted patterns on paper.
[17] Hobbycraft, a chain of stores selling craft supplies, also enjoyed an 11% increase in sales over the year to February 22, 2009 primarily attributed to the needlework sector.
[22] At Clothes Show Live 2010 there was a new area called "Sknitch" promoting modern sewing, knitting and embroidery.
[27] Some cross-stitchers have commented on the way that the practice of embroidery makes them feel connected to the women who practised it before them.
An increasingly popular activity for cross-stitchers is to watch and make YouTube videos detailing their hobby.
Flosstubers, as they are known, typically cover WIPs (Works in Progress), FOs (Finished Objects), and Haul (new patterns, thread, and fabric, as well as cross-stitching accessories, such as needle minders).
Other accessories include but are not limited to: Floss organizers, thread conditioner, pin cushions, aida cloth or plastic canvas, and embroidery needles.
