| Cross-stitch is not just an activity for women. | | | | choosing a teddy bear pattern for a pillow. |
| Plenty of men love to pull out those needles and | | | | Often men are drawn to the things they like. If a |
| flosses to cross-stitch projects that they enjoy. | | | | man likes sports, he may choose a kit that |
| For most men who cross-stitch it is about | | | | represents his sports team. If a man is into |
| creating "art" or having a special interest in the | | | | architecture, then he may choose to cross-stitch |
| design... and of course Cross Stitch is wonderfully | | | | a pattern based on Frank Lloyd Wright. There are |
| therapeutic when it comes to de-stressing. | | | | even some gamers that have cross-stitched their |
| For some it is just not "manly" to call it a "craft". | | | | favorite video game characters. |
| While men do not make up a large percentage of | | | | Other men use cross-stitch to create designs on |
| cross-stitchers, they most certainly do exist. Yet, | | | | their clothing, too. If you are choosing a pattern |
| many people wonder about men who like to | | | | to give to a man, then you should take a look at |
| cross-stitch, and it brings up a number of | | | | what they like. Go with their interests. |
| interesting questions: | | | | How Do Men Get Into Cross-Stitch? |
| Are Men Better than Women... at Cross-Stitch? | | | | This question really depends on the man. Some |
| The simple answer to this question is that of | | | | men get involved simply because someone they |
| course men are not better than women, just as | | | | love does it. A little boy may have wanted to do |
| women are no better than men either. | | | | what his mother was doing. A man may help his |
| Cross-stitching is a learned skill, and any person | | | | wife finish a project only to find he liked it. Other |
| who cross-stitches is only as good as they allow | | | | men need something to do, and it is a craft just |
| themselves to be. Practice, practice, and more | | | | lying around. Often men do not find that they |
| practice make a person a better cross-stitcher, | | | | seek out cross-stitching, but it finds them one |
| not their gender. | | | | way or another. Some men believe it makes |
| Do Male Cross-Stitch Designers Exist? | | | | them look attractive to women, so they use it as |
| Yes! Of course there are male designers. Why | | | | a way to "pick someone up". |
| ever not? Cross-stitch design is an art form and | | | | How Do I Handle a Man Who Wants to |
| certainly not restricted to the female gender. | | | | Cross-Stitch? |
| There are many men involved in creating their | | | | Embrace it. It takes a lot of courage for a man |
| own cross-stitch patterns. For some it is a direct | | | | to put aside an image of masculinity to admit |
| offshoot of their art - like Thomas Kinkade. For | | | | they want to try a "girly" craft. If the man is a |
| others, they are part of a design business, like the | | | | significant other, then take pride in the fact that |
| husband and wife team at Heartland House. Men | | | | your man wants to share something with you. If |
| are involved in designing and bringing you some of | | | | it is a young man, then encourage the creativity |
| the great cross-stitch patterns. Some cross-stitch | | | | that will come from the craft. |
| designers are also fashion designers and use their | | | | It is not often that men can put away the |
| thread and floss to create patterns on the attire | | | | machismo to do something enjoyable like |
| that they create. | | | | cross-stitch, so open up and be willing to teach |
| Which Patterns are Popular with Men? | | | | and inspire. Who knows... the cross-stitching man in |
| Men tend to choose more art-like patterns than | | | | your life may find a way to inspire you too! |
| women. They may not be as open to you | | | | |