Ellen Frost

Do you love to cross stitch but don't seem to have enough time in your day? Many stitchers find it difficult, and sometimes frustrating, that they don't have time for this fun activity. With our hectic lives and packed schedules, it sometimes seems impossible to find time to do what we enjoy.

So how do you create more time for cross stitch? The best approach is to examine your day and then utilize a few basic time-management techniques (mostly common-sense). Before you know it, you'll discover plenty of time for your favorite craft.

1. Understand the importance of relaxing

To find more time for any activity, you first need to determine why it's important enough to include in your daily schedule. If you cross stitch for enjoyment, your first inclination may be to say it really isn't vital to your life.

Most stitchers find cross stitch relaxing. It can really calm you down after a hectic day. So before you dismiss its importance, think about the health benefits you gain from relaxing.

We all know stress can not only elevate blood pressure, it also can lead to many serious health problems. Relaxation is an important part of everyone's day. You need activities you enjoy during your day to help you unwind and thereby stay healthy.

So at first glance, saying that you cross stitch to relax may not sound important. If you consider, though, how important relaxation is to your overall well-being, you'll quickly see that cross stitching can really improve your life.

2. Set a goal

Regardless of the activity, you're more likely to accomplish something if you set a goal for yourself. When it comes to cross stitch, decide what you would like to accomplish. Do you want to finish a particular project before a special holiday? Would you like to try some new stitches?

Determine what your goal is when it comes to cross stitch. Then set yourself a schedule. By having a firm goal in mind and a target completion date, you have a much better chance of accomplishing that particular goal.

3. Schedule a regular time

One sure way to make time for cross stitch is to schedule time during your day for stitching. Perhaps you enjoy working on cross stitch in the evening, or maybe you enjoy working in the early morning.

Pick whatever time works best for you, and then make it a regular part of your day. Once you've established a routine of working on your cross stitch at a certain time each day, you'll be surprised at how much you can accomplish.

4. Gather your supplies

One secret to uncovering more time is to be organized. You should collect the supplies you'll need for your current cross stitch project before you begin stitching. Then, when you do have time to cross stitch, you'll have everything you need in one place.

By being organized, you can spend your time working on your project instead of hunting for your misplaced scissors or pattern book.

5. Stitch when you can

Although you should schedule a regular time in your day to work on cross stitch, you also should take advantage of stray moments. For instance, if you know you're going to have a wait at the doctor's office, bring your cross stitch with you. Not only will you get work done on your current project, you'll also make the wait enjoyable.

Don't assume you can't stitch simply because you don't have a long period of time. A little done here and there can quickly add up to a completed project.

If you'd rather not bring a large project with you, consider making up a small cross stitch kit to carry with you. Include everything you need for a small project, such as an ornament or a bookmark. Then you won't have to remember to bring your supplies. Everything you need will already be in your kit when you find yourself with a few extra minutes to spare.

6. Have fun

The most important thing to remember is you should enjoy the time you spend working on your cross stitch projects. If you enjoy what you're doing, you'll naturally want to find more time to spend on your cross stitch projects.

So carve out a little time during your day when you can enjoy cross stitch. You'll not only get to relax, you'll also have fun. Enjoying yourself, after all, is what cross stitch is all about.