Or maybe you consider it an obsession? An addiction? I've said before that nobody knows how many times a week I hear that! Most needleworkers I come across consider it a very important part of their lives. Why is that?

I'm not a patient person by nature, but I'm a patient stitcher. "Oh, you must have a lot of patience to do that," people say when they come to my house and look at my work. "Not really," I think. But for some reason I have patience for needlework. It's probably a good exercise in patience for me (and, I tell people, you don't have to have much patience once you've "mastered" a few stitches -- hopefully you don't make many mistakes. When I DO make a mistake, I usually just leave it in. Unless I've given some poor creature a third eye, then I take it out!)

Needlework is also very relaxing, almost zen-like. Think of cross stitches as your own little mantra: something to repeat over and over again to relax you, to focus you in. This is often the reason people get upset when you stitch in their presence -- you're not paying attention to them, you're not there. What do you think about when you stitch? I work out problems, think about my family, my business, my future, my dreams. Sometimes needlework is a little escape from two sweet little boys who demand my attention so much of the day. It's a way to forget a pile of laundry. A little indulgence, like a chocolate-covered caramel.

There are more practical reasons to do needlework. One of my favorite reasons is I never feel like I'm wasting my time; if I'm watching TV, riding in the car, sitting outside with my kids, or listening to the radio and stitching, I'm not really just occupying space, because I'm keeping busy. And my needlework makes my home prettier. I also give needlework as gifts to those I care about, gifts that last.

I've corresponded with probably a few thousand people on the Internet since I started my site almost three years ago. And I've heard more than a few stories about why someone got started stitching. Most learned from a grandmother, mother, aunt or friend: a nice way to spend time with someone close. Some learned as a result of an accident or illness: a way to pass the time while recovering. One English man (a customer) started doing needlework last year after he and his wife found a sampler in their attic and became interested (he stitched a Threads Through Time kit.) He's just started his third sampler, and now he's collecting antique samplers. Some are self-taught and began stitching because they liked the way needlework looks.

I'm guessing a lot of you don't watch the Simpsons, but it's one of my favorite TV shows. One episode, Marge (the mother) is teaching Lisa (the daughter) how to quilt while she's got the mumps. Lisa doubts her ability to learn. Marge tells her she's got the blood of many generations of stitchers running through her veins. Sometimes I think it's that way with real stitchers: have you ever taught someone how to stitch, and they just "get it" right away? I taught one class of girls a few years back, and one of them just understood the whole concept immediately. Her little fingers just flew with that fabric and floss. It was as if she had done it before. There's quite a history behind us of stitchers, men and women, who stitched for many reasons as well -- maybe some of them watch over us when we stitch.

I'm going out on a limb here, but have you ever just buried your face in a piece of linen and inhaled? Fabrics all smell different -- natural fibers can smell like hay, nuts, even grass. Hand-dyed linens often smell like coffee and tea. Have you ever just fingered through your silks, cottons, or other fibers? Admired the way the light glistens off a packet of beads? Looked at a blank piece of fabric and envisioned what was going to go on it? Stared at your pile of DMC floss and wondered what wonderful projects all of those colors were going to create? There's something to be said about the feel that accompanies stitching. This is why some people love to stitch with silk on linen. Stitching appeals to many of your senses, and your mind.

So many of you tell me, "I don't know why I'm buying this chart, this fabric, these beads...it's not like I don't have anything to work on." But you can't stop adding to your stash. Think about it: your hobby is peaceful, it doesn't hurt anyone, it's calming to you, you end up with something beautiful at the end that is useful or aesthetically pleasing, and really, it's a lot less expensive than yachting, day spas and fine jewelry collecting. There's nothing at all wrong with indulging yourself. Consider it one of the few things that is really YOURS to enjoy. Then, it's something you ultimately share with others when they admire your work.

So why do I stitch? Many of the above reasons, and some I can't explain. It brings such great joy to my life, a feeling of accomplishment, a challenge in a new stitch. I love to look at things that are pleasing to the eye, and I love to create them, too. It is calming to me. It gives me time alone, and it brings me closer to others through the Internet, guild meetings, and other needlework events. It helps me remember my family (stitchers and admirers). Needlework helps me commemorate events. Can you look at a piece of needlework you've done and remember what was going on in your life when you stitched it? (I had to give my parents a piece of needlework I stitched while going through morning sickness -- it almost makes me feel sick to my stomach to look at it!) And now needlework provides me with an income and the ability to stay home for my family. How blessed am I?

I hope this month while you're stitching, you think about why YOU stitch. You'll probably be surprised by how important your hobby is to you. Share your hobby with others by teaching them to do needlework. Some will show little interest, but others will thank you forever for teaching them something wonderful.

© 2007 Theresa Venette. Articles on this site may be reproduced in needlework group newsletters or other handouts with permission of author and proper attribution. Send questions, comments and suggestions to: xspeddler@yahoo.com