I do all the it time it drive my mother crazy sometimes But I like cross stitching because it relaxes me and teach you to be patience. and help you focus your mind. Also teach you some lessons about life, you see the beauty of your hard work on time you put in to it. Also make a good gift to friends and family and can be pass on long after your gone to heaven. Like all the other answerer’s answer too. here are some websites and books for you:

http://www.tcsmag.com

http://www.just-crossstitch.com

http://joincrafterschoice.com – crafting book club here- lots of crosstitch books-

http://www.pcstitch.com – a picture to cross stitch pattern software website

http://www.pccrafter.com

http://www.darklilac.com/upload.jsp...

http://www.vsccs.com/hints-info/basic_cr...

http://www.aokcorral.com/xinstructions.h...

http://www.joyfulexpressions.us/html/ins...

Here are some more cross stitching websites:

http://www.amosadvantage.com

http://www.craftideas.com

http://www.crossstitch.com

http://www.cobweb-corner.com/crossstitch.htm?gclid=CO2_qqCR_4oCFU9FGAod1RmVKQ

http://www.birdcrossstitch.com/

http://www.abc-cross-stitch-patterns.com/Free_Patterns/Archive.html

http://www.patternsonline.com

http://www.kustomkrafts.com

http://www.bhg.com/bhg/family/index.jhtm...

http://www.bhg.com/bhg/store/product.jht... – for the "2001 cross stitch designs" book- ( something you might like to have) .

http://melindaseverything.tripod.com/cro...

http://dir.groups.yahoo.com/dir/hobbies_...

http://www.crossstitchtips.com/…...

http://www.xstreasures.com/links.html…...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/cross_stitc... – put this in so you can cross reference any stitch you need to know about – for fun –

http://www.dmc.com/majic/pageserver/1701...

http://www.kreinik.com/kshop/home.php?ca...

http://www.jaenne.com/crossstitch/crosss... (some are free, some are $1 or $2)

http://www.freepatternsonline.com/xspatt...

http://alitadesigns.com/cross-stitch/pat...

http://www.birdcrossstitch.com/……...

http://www.sanmanoriginals.com/free.html...

http://www.cyberstitchers.com/patternlib...

http://www.dunmanidesigns.co.uk/……...

http://www.dawnsxstitch.pwp.bl...

http://www.maurer-stroh.com/ems_complime...

http://www.esnips.com/web/freecspatterns...

http://www.rainbowgallery.com/freechartd...

http://www.passionericamo.eu/indexfreebi...

http://www.stitchalley.com/index.php?mai...

http://www.ilboscoincantato.com/……...

http://www.solaria.online.bg/gobelins/go...

http://shopping.originpublishing.com/cha...

http://www.artful-impressions.com/how%20...

http://www.cross-stitch-centre.co.uk/aca...

http://www.photopattern.com/

http://crossstitch.about.com/mbody.htm...

here are some books available at any bookstore or library :

2001 Cross Stitch Designs: The Essential Reference Book
by Better Homes & Gardens, Victoria Forlini (Editor) – A excellent book for you to get on the subject.

Cross Stitch Alphabets
by David & Charles

Beautiful Cross-Stitch: Inspirations from the World Around You
by Better Homes & Gardens, Carol Dahlstrom (Editor)

Cross Stitch
by Jan Eaton

Cross Stitch Book
by Dorothy Wood

New Cross Stitch Sampler Book: 23 Fabulous Samplers
by Helen Philipps

1000 Great Cross Stitch Designs
by Maria Kelly

The Cross Stitch kit: 25 Elegant and Easy-to-Make Projects for Every Room in the House, with Fabric, Needle, and Thread
by Juliet Bawden

Design Your Own Cross Stitch to Complement Your Home
by Shirley Watts

Jo Verso’s Complete Cross Stitch Course
by Jo Verso

Rodale’s Visual Encyclopedia of Needlecrafts: Applique, Crochet, Cross-Stitch, Duplicate Stitch . . ., Vol. 1
by Carolyn Christmas, Rodale Press
Hardcover

Sampler Motif Book
by Brenda Keyes

Cross Stitcher’s Bible
by Jane Greenoff, Charles, A. L. David – a good book

A-Z of Embroidery Stitches
by Sue Gardner
References :

I’ve done cross stitching since i was 12 years old and i’ve got plenty of finished pieces to show for my hard work.

It is a very relaxing hobby.
References :

There’s an endless supply of patterns and ideas available for free or low cost, and the materials are relatively inexpensive. You can get dozens of books at the library on both technique and patterns.

You can stop and start projects at any time, and they don’t take up much space in your house. You can store unfinished projects for long periods of time, then come back to them whenever you want.

You can also make wonderful, personal gifts for family and friends. I’ve made many personalized pieces for weddings, new homes, new babies and holidays. You have the option to customize your pieces and make truly one of a kind gifts.

You can work on really large, complicated projects over a period of time and have a real sense of achievement when you finish it, or choose a small, uncomplicated piece for instant gratification.

And finally, it’s a good way to prevent snacking in front of the tv at night!
References :

I get lots of inspiration from the Craftster embroidery boards: http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php#19

And if your friends think that cross-stitch is just for grandmothers, show them this: http://www.subversivecrossstitch.com **Edited to add that these patterns use strong language that some people may find offensive.**
References :

I love cross – stitch it totally relaxes me. I think you have to be a rather patient person, who enjoys challenges, because not everybody can focus and concentrate on something so detailed. I have shown friends before when they have sneered at my hobby, but when they see something come together and it resembles (I think art) they are really impressed and this often gets them interested.

A good friend of mine introduced me to cross – stitch and I am really grateful to her.

L
References :