Star-cross-stitched lover
Cross-stitching began as a pandemic hobby for me. It’s similar to embroidery but different. Instead of being free to choose the style of each stitch, all the stitches are uniform X’s, crosses (pixels if you squint). When I began, I cannibalized my mum's old, unused kits. I started with a friendship bracelet cord before I knew what DMC floss was. Then after obsessing through Instagram hashtags, I ordered both Gina Coleman's books of Stardew Valley and Undertale patterns, as well as threads and fabrics. You can really go overboard with this stuff, I am ashamed to admit how much it cost. I spent many evenings sitting on my carpet, stitching, listening to what was on TV, but missing most of it as I looked down at my work. When I’m cross-stitching I feel like a young, Victorian maiden (despite looking like a small wannabe punk with turquoise hair and loose t-shirts). It gives me new admiration for my women ancestors who struggled through their samplers.