Cross-Stitch
My favourite hobby
Cross-stitch is a form of sewing and a popular form of counted-thread
embroidery in which X-shaped stitches in a tiled, raster-like pattern
are used to form a picture. 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.
Cross-stitch can be found all over the world since the middle ages. Many
folk museums show examples of clothing decorated with cross-stitch,
especially from continental Europe and Asia.
Traditionally, cross-stitch was used to embellish items like household
linens, tablecloths, dishcloths, and doilies (only a small portion of
which would actually be embroidered, such as a border). 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. Cross-stitch is also often used to make
greeting cards, pillow tops, or as inserts for box tops, coasters and
trivets.