I’ve just discovered, thanks to daysoftheyear.com, that February is National Embroidery Month.

I’ve dabbled in embroidery, but as a cross stitcher I’m not sure I’d say it was simple. That’s probably because I find the logic and order of cross stitch, which I think of as a grid, safer than the more free form nature of embroidery. I know other people are the opposite. That said, I’ve enjoyed my experiences of embroidery and asked for this kit by Wimperis Embroidery for Christmas.

I had one of her other kits in my craft stash for the longest time before I finally stitched it last month. The fact this one is on organza fabric and there is a need for things to be a bit neater on the back than I perhaps am used to does scare me a little, but perhaps this is the perfect month (what’s left of it!) to get started on it.

Growing up I was not a girly girl, and despite numerous family members trying to teach me crafts such as sewing and knitting, I resisted taking on the default female hobbies. Boy am I kicking myself now as I try and teach myself how to use my grandmother’s old sewing machine.

I got into cross stitch nearly 15 years ago, around the time I became an aunt, when I decided to stitch a sampler for my yet-to-be-born niece, inspired by the fact my aunt did one for me when I was young. It was the start of something that became a bit of an addiction, fuelled by all the time I had on my hands when we went into lockdown in 2020.

I always have a stitch project or two on the go, and have set up a little craft corner in my living room. In fact two of my previous 100 day projects have been craft related – in 2021 I stitched 100 different stitches and in 2022 I knitted for 100 days. I like to think both my grandmothers would be pleased to see how I’ve embraced these crafts if they were still here today.

I share more of my stitching adventures over on Instagram at @ZettaStitch