Crossing the Boundaries: Men in Cross Stitch

Often when we contemplate our cross stitch hobby we imagine serene scenes with quiet women in rocking chairs, stitching away in a peaceful corner of the room.  Although this is a great thought it's usually far from the typical cross stitch scene, although many of us wish it was.  Cross stitch can be done anywhere at any time and by any one.  I have never had the pleasure of quietly cross stitching in a corner as I started my cross stitching hobby shortly after I had a child.  In all reality when I am getting a chance to cross stitch it is between the whines and screams of a toddler and infant and I am usually consulting my hobby merely for a bit of sanity.

Cross stitch is a hobby that is shared by many different people; from young to old, mothers, grandmothers, fathers, grand fathers as well as single unmarried and childless adults.  Yes there are men who cross stitch; in fact there are more men in the hobby of cross stitch than you may think.

In the history of cross stitch there have been many men who enjoy this calculated hobby.  Cross stitch is a form of embroidery, a hobby that was very popular among men in the middle ages.  Embroidery has been considered very much a male pastime at certain points in time through out history, so it only makes sense that many men continued to enjoy the crafts that descended from embroidery.  Cross stitch has been enjoyed throughout the historical years by men and it is still enjoyed today by many men.  Although it is not as popular as it once was with men, cross stitch is a great hobby for men when you start to consider the factors that most men tend to enjoy.

It is a calculated and thinking activity which once most men get past the female stigma of the hobby will find that they may enjoy the thought process of creating a cross stitch piece. It gives the opportunity to unwind and relieve the stresses brought on by modern living.  One of the best parts of creating a cross stitch piece that is very appealing to both men and women is the instant gratification that follows the completion of each stitch, usually after the first few lines of stitching you will start to see the beginnings of your creation.

Many men that are already enjoying the hobby of cross stitch say that there are great reasons to take up the hobby.  When you get down to it cross stitch is much like creating any other type of art work, one of the only differences is instead of using a canvas to create a beautiful picture you are using fabric, needle and floss.  Cross stitch allows you to let your mind relax as you create a piece of art for all to enjoy that will last a lifetime as well as be a useful item in many homes.

If you are the type of person who likes to mull things over in your mind as you concentrate on a task to busy your hands then the methodic x, by x of cross stitching would be a great hobby to take part in.

Cross stitching is not only a relaxing and calculated hobby that requires an active mind it is also a hobby that allows you some much needed and essential time for simply zoning out.  As you begin to cross stitch and once you are advanced enough to constantly be in a rhythm, your mind and body can start to relax and many men and women spend their cross stitching time simply in another world, thinking about the things that life causes you to be too busy to enjoy at times.

Finally a great reason for men to take up cross stitch is that it has been proven time and time again by other men that men are very good at cross stitching.  There is a certain draw in the curiosity as to why many women enjoy the hobby so much, which can make men curious to give it a try. In fact two men I know started in cross stitch by finishing projects their wives had started and never completed.

Once you have discovered that you can still be a man and enjoy cross stitching as a hobby you will find that there are a wide variety of designs and patterns that are very masculine.  Many cross stitch patterns come in Civil War depictions, flags, and animals such as dogs, elk or deer, biblical scenes as well as landscapes.  Not all cross stitch designs are cute cuddly characters and beautiful flowery maidens, you can also have your own designs created from photos you have taken or are close to your heart to make wonderful sincere gifts for friends and family.