learning to cross stitch & listening to audiobooks | art vlog ep.2

[@morganepronget7578]

"That metallic thread, I hate it!" says every cross stitcher ever hahaha. We still go back to it tho, it's pretty.

[@srokachannel]

Rob and Liam getting involved in needle punching is the most wholesome thing I've seen in a longer while 🤍

[@meljstephan]

Their cute littlefamily makes me want a cute little family 😭

[@thiadesg]

Suggestion: You might cross stitch the logo of your book club on a hop and hang it on the wall. It would look so cool! :)

[@TheSunriseInside]

You saying ‘I’m not a puzzle girl’ made me realize that I should probably consider ‘puzzle girl’ as part of my identity 😂 cause that is quintessentially me

[@SallySimply]

Same.

[@abeautifullybookishlife7525]

Same

[@katelynfurtick4696]

I am an avid cross stitcher, I refer to the metallic floss as Satan’s pubes.😂 it’s the woooorst but absolutely beautiful end product. Still horrid to work with it hahah so happy you enjoy it! It’s such a fun hobby!

[@morganarosana]

Someone said If you get the metallic floss wet it's easy to work with them. You can entangled it with a normal floss, apparently.

[@kristenlovesbooksandtea]

HATE metallic floss and French knots with a passion

[@roseam14]

Lifelong cross-stitcher here. You did great work for a beginner! To take it next level, go with patterns with smaller crosses (higher hole count per square inch in the fabric). I did a ton of baby samplers for birth presents and am working on Christmas stockings for my boys. Audio and cross stitch is the best!!

[@kristenlovesbooksandtea]

This is how I listen to audiobooks if I’m not driving! Cross stitching is so soothing to my A type brain. So repetitive and meticulous and it makes listening to an audiobook so much easier when I need something to do with my hands

[@rainydayreader5126]

The towel looks so good! This is inspiring! I think when people were telling you to embroider a pillow, they didn’t understand how long that would take.

[@heatherr9959]

I think the “creative” part of cross stitch comes when you design or make your own patterns. Pinterest and Etsy are great places to find ideas.

[@heatherr9959]

Also, I love the one you did based on your painting, but please put it in a frame! You don’t have to leave it in a circular hoop!

[@whitneyhendrix8075]

How do you design your own? Like how would you turn your idea into pixelated?

[@heatherr9959]

I have used Excel spreadsheets and graph paper (you can get 1/8inch or Xstitch-specific), even dotted bujo notebooks to make patterns. I’m not very good at Photoshop like Kayla is! Sometimes, you just need the outline, like I am making an Oregon state map but each line of color is a temperature for the first year my partner lived here with me. Sometimes, you can look up or purchase patterns for Xstitch fonts and then draw out your own words/text, to see where it will fit. Sometimes, you can take different elements from old kits and patterns to combine into a new picture. I hope that makes sense.

[@carolinemclaughlin4951]

I think the cactus is the most impressive piece, but I love BOOKS! It just makes me happy.

[@libraryofstitches459]

This was fun to see you try cross stitch. If you tend to get knots, your thread might be too long, it should be around the length of your hand to your elbow. You can also frame the cactus in just a regular rectangular frame and just pin or lace it if it bugs you in the hoop. I fell down the Flosstube rabbit hole in 2021, and would definitely recommend for people to check out some videos by a variety of people if you're interested in cross stitch. Some of my favorite designers are the witchy stitcher and modern folk embroidery.

[@JustGina93]

Me too 😁 I also do Teresa little sitcher

[@JustGina93]

And Karla being crafty and where the black sheep meet

[@maddy250199]

there's no one thing that you "should" be doing, hobbies are for enjoyment so just do what is fun for you! if big projects and slowly seeing something come together isn't fun for you then keep doing smaller projects that you can get through quicker!! ❤️

[@LauraGoingPlaces]

This is bringing back very fond memories of when I first tried embroidery and immediately became obsessed, bought loads of floss and hoops, and started designing my own embroideries.

[@bethmetcalf3447]

I’m fifty this year and I’ve never had the patience for needle craft. For you to just pick it up and do it as easy as you did shows just how talented you are. I loved all your pieces and I would gladly have your mountains in my phone cover. Good job Kayla! You should be very proud of yourself 😀🥰

[@firewhiskeyreader8257]

Oh my goodness, I love the cell phone cover so much!!

[@beepboop9976]

I love cross-stitch. such a good way to keep your hands busy while watching/listening to something

[@BetweenLinesAndLife]

I was literally watching an old video of yours because and I quote myself „I needed Kayla content“ and this happened - blessings all around 💕 brb gotta watch!

[@BooksandLala]

🤗🤗🤗

[@rikkebay8548]

It does take time to get to know what are the best materials to work with. I both do cross stitch and embroidery and have for some years. I am so glad it' finally becoming a trend, because now my friends are also interested in my hobby 😊 I have this giant cross stitch project going on and it has been a year and I think I'm 33 % done. But I just love how relaxing it is to do it, where I just have to count and not think, and I love how the picture is slowly coming together (I also love making puzzles 😂) It is so satisfying. When I do embroidery my projects are always much smaller, and it feels more creative and free. I particularly like when it becomes 3D. This Christmas I bought some small hoops and made Christmas-themed embroidery that I hanged on the tree. My point is it all depends on my mood because they satisfy on different levels 😊

[@kdonaldson7308]

I create bookmarks, both kits, and my own designs. Using all types of craft, cross-stitch, gems, stickers, watercolor. I always need bookmarks and it means I have a practical use for my crafts!!

[@melanieheath9829]

That sounds like so much fun!

[@toloveabook9214]

you should try making friendship bracelets next! it's a great way to use up any extra floss you have and you can create your own bracelet patterns

[@hellenab3745]

I got into cross-stitch a few years ago when I realized it was a great way for me to make things from my favorite fandoms. Also a magnet is a great place to put your needle when you aren't using it. I also found an awesome stand to hold my project for me while I work on it, which is really nice for bigger projects

[@aggiehulle7391]

That first try of an embroidery sampler is gorgeous!!!

[@jesse2900]

Maybe it was only me but the way I was much more invested in the embroidery and cross stitch part of the video than in the books lol I loved it

[@Sarah_L_N]

I use a thread wax if I do embroidery/cross stitch. It's a little block of wax that you run the thread over and it coats it and stops it tangling as easily. I love the cute little bee and your hand towel, but I think the cactus is my favourite!

[@Allrileydup]

This is my jam! I cross stitch and listen to audiobooks/podcasts all the time

[@kate-ne]

A fun project you might try with Liam: When I was a kid I would do my own screen printing with embroidery hoops. It's super easy--you take like cheap panty hose and stretch them across an embroidery hoop. Then you will sketch whatever you want screen printed on the tshirt or fabric you're using onto the panty hose from the back of the hoop (so like the flat side is facing down if that makes sense). Then you'll take modge podge and paint it onto all of the negative space on the panty hose (so basically any space you don't want ink going through). Let that dry completely Then you can place your hoop flat side down onto your shirt (put something in Between the shirt so it doesn't bleed through) and sponge ink onto your stencil!! I always used India ink and then I'd let it dry completely and wash on its own the first time. But it was such a fun and creative way to do my own screen printing with very little expense. So I think it would be fun for you to do with Liam since he also seems really creative 🤗

[@ICHMUSSMALPIPI]

this sounds really cool

[@muttmania]

This was cool, I love how you inspired your kid and your husband to get creative with you. Reminds me how sometimes my mum would surprise my sister and me with a new paint set / pencil tin after school when we were kids. She was never the type to make her own art, but she totally encouraged my sister and I to express ourselves creatively - all the best mums do!

[@poesielos]

It was actually fun to watch you cross stitch while working on some crocheting project myself :) For me the cactus and monstera leaf were the best results but the towel also turned out perfect for your bath! Apart from trying out this new hobbies and sharing your thoughts with us, I also love how you show that it actually is time consuming, even if it may look simple or easy, but how rewarding it is in the end.

[@redistrying]

I often forget not everyone has my grandma and great-grandma to teach and introduce them to these kinds of crafts so it is fascinating to me to watch people discover it on their own. You did great well done. Thank you for these very interesting videos

[@hopper326]

I loved the bee the most. My mom taught my sister, brother, and I to cross stitch at a young age, 7 maybe, and I’ve always loved it. This is motivating to get back into it.

[@carapatel2214]

I love the fact that you are doing short projects because so often people get too intimidated to start at all if it seems too difficult. You are probably inspiring so many people to try new hobbies

[@katiethemarshwiggle]

This series is so perfect for me. I am someone who likes the idea of making crafts and being creative, but when I actually sit down to do the dang thing I get so frustrated and quit. I also love audiobooks and listen to them whenever I can. Thank you for letting me live vicariously through you! 😏

[@TatyanaVogt]

The peaches in the bathroom looks SOOOOO good along with the cactus one! Ive always wanted to do embroidery and this makes me want to do it even more AND even try cross stitch as well. You're doing such a good job! Also youre making me want to read the books as well! Really enjoying the video so far! :)

[@c8youtube9]

Kayla is honestly so talented and creative it’s incredible

[@stephaniedunham4104]

Half way through this video I had to get up and go get my knitting project. I loved the towel that you did; it looks really good, especially for a first attempt at that sort of thing. Also, Rob and Liam getting involved is the cutest thing.

[@RobertaMargo]

Now I know nothing about cross stitching but the cactus looks genuinely impressive. Makes me want to try this myself.

[@katiee728]

brb immediately running to get a cross stitch pattern and some hand towels - i love it SO MUCH!!!!

[@margueritemitchell1829]

Love those thread nippers ...magnet to find the needles..I was working outside, and lost large needle in the grass..didnt want anyone to find it in their foot🤣🤔

[@onedirectionloveren]

You can buy embroidery stands that will hold your hoop! You can slide it under your leg or have it on a table. It will make it so much easier to embroider French knots or other free hand embroidery stitches where you need both your hands. If you are thinking of trying out free hand embroidery It’s a nice thing to get. Just be aware that they sometimes come with a hoop, that you can’t change the size of. Try to find one where you can clasp on your own ☺️ I LOVE HOW YOUR CACTI TURNED OUT

[@RottingDolll]

The way I just ordered a cross stitch kit that’s coming tomorrow night bc this reminded me how much I loved doing it as a kid!

[@beccabooked]

The cactus turned out so cute! And a bookmark is such a good idea. 💜

[@purespice.1]

So amazing! I love handicraft and you discovering and enjoying and creating...so good. Extra enjoyed this video.

[@lauras9071]

i've found cross stitching so calming, but it is especially because i am not great at drawing or most art. which means i can just follow a pattern and make something nice. immediately picking up 'A New Age of Empire'

[@shonniegrl]

Hey girl! I just wanted to let you know that I love your channel and that it makes me happy.

[@crushgoil]

All of the backs of your cross-stitching looks so impressive. When I tried it as a kid I just couldn’t care less about how the back looked and I’m pretty sure I’m still that same person. The idea that there is a “proper project size” just sounds wrong. Do what makes you happy. A hobby doesn’t need constraints.

[@beeboca]

such a wholesome series, i love it 🥺

[@beeboca]

the cactus!!! it looks so good

[@katem2458]

This was fantastic for me because I can't read along with your vlogs but I did get out my embroidery and worked on that while watching. And now I know what to do when I'm watching people read and talk about reading instead of reading myself. 😁

[@LadyRainstorm4]

Cross stitch is my only visually creative hobby, and I pretty much stick to patterns. I'm impressed with how far you took it in such a short time - making projects with the finished products. French knots aren't easy, and you seem to have picked them up very quickly! If you enjoy it and decide to continue, there are lots of ways you can advance. You can get fabric with smaller squares that makes the projects look less pixel-y, you can blend colors in one needle, use back stitch and long stitch, etc. It's a nice hobby that yields impressive results. But since I don't make projects out of mine, I basically have a basket full of completed (or mostly completed) projects! I'm glad you enjoyed it!

[@MichelleNaomiConner]

I started cross stitching a year ago about. Started with large projects so I haven't finished anything yet. But like having it as a craft I can choose to do because for me its mindless way to have fun and not have to think about what I am doing on the project if I decide to do a larger section thats all the same color and not having to switch back and forth between multiple colors.

[@CarolMarieReads]

How fun! My favorite crafty activity is crocheting. I’m going to be working on a baby blanket for my friend while I watch ☺️ I feel like kits for activities are great ways to learn new skills then you can branch out on your own

[@rhi393]

I love crocheting whilst I listen to audiobooks. I think it’s so nice to have a finished product after listening to a couple of audiobooks.

[@gentlethemstitcher6278]

Cross stitch is definitely my favorite craft! 1- don't worry everyone hates metallic floss 2- the tension on your hoop is totally fine. Whatever works for you. A lot of people don't even use hoops 3- The beauty of cross stitch is that it can be as difficult or easy as ypu need it to be! Some charts include special stitches (not just x), some have over 100 colors in them. The sky is the limit!

[@liviamartin3641]

I think embroidery is gorgeous, but it isn't my favorite for multi tasking. Cross stitch is so soothing to me. Its simple enough, that I can get lost in an audiobook. But at the same time, the further you go down the rabbit hole, the more complex and beautiful the pieces get. There are specialty stitches, beads, ribbons, and fancy floss. Flosstube had made me an xstitch addict

[@BooksandLala]

Omg "flosstube" ?! That could get dangerous for me to explore 😏

[@liviamartin3641]

@@BooksandLala 😂 have fun!

[@Emily-fh8en]

That peach towel was so cute!

[@marybeougher2953]

My grandmother taught me to cross stitch when I was about 7. Pixel art translates perfect to cross stitch and graph paper is great for making your own designs. There are also programs out there to convert a picture to a cross stitch. Some of them will even give you the DMC numbers.

[@whitneyhendrix8075]

What program!?

[@marybeougher2953]

@@whitneyhendrix8075 I’ve never paid attention to the names. I just know they’re out there. I used one that was a font generator for a phrase I wanted to stitch up, but it was online and free and you just input the words and printed out the pattern.

[@caroline856]

I've been cross stitching for years and I always listen to an audiobook or watch videos on youtube while I do it, it's such a relaxing hobby.

[@books-on-a-wire]

My grandmother taught me to embroider and cross-stitch when I was a preteen. In my 40s, and I still do it plus Cross Stitch World (the game) is fun to do while listening to audiobooks because it can get expensive framing everything. I also like to diamond paint.

[@BecxReadz]

I liked the bee, the cactus, and the phone case.

[@roz3908]

I've just put all my embroidery supplies away in places that are difficult to get to and now you're here making me want to do some embroidery!

[@aoifeoconnell]

You using Photoshop to make the cactus pattern blew my mind! Definitely something I'll have to try! I tried using online tools as a teen to make my own patterns but they just weren't up to scratch 12 years ago... I loved this video so much! ❤ I definitely need to get back into cross stitching again. My faves were definitely the cactus and the bee! Hearing you talk about the metallic thread brought back some memories for sure 😂

[@leilajaafari8436]

Love this series. 😂😂😂😂 I love that Rob and Liam helped.

[@kiialaurila4738]

I've been waiting for this one ever since you uploaded the painting one!!! I do all kinds of fibre art crafts, and it's so fun to see someone go into so much detail about their learning process on a craft that you like 😊 It was honestly so cute when you said you didn't know if you're supposed to take the finished project off the hoop! You should definitely make the embroidery video it's own thing, and then knitting and chrochet ones later on, they are both great to work on while listening to audiobooks

[@shaylaliller1443]

I love this series so much! Can’t wait to see what you try next

[@stormyanngraves]

I just started doing cross-stitch! And love it! I recommend you try diamond painting next if you think you might like it! Very similar to cross-stitch in certain ways but also very different! There are diamond painting kits at craft stores!

[@alexandrasstudio5308]

I love cross stitching 🧵 but I haven’t done it in a long while. Your video is making me try it again!! I think you did an amazing job with all of them especially the bee 🐝 cross stitching is so beautiful 😍

[@Alysia225]

Love this!! Crochet is my usual audiobook activity. I have an embarrassing number of unfinished cross stitch projects and this video is giving me motivation to pick those up! 😊

[@AbiofPellinor]

I've been wanting to start Cross Stiching for ages so this was exactly the motivation I needed! And The New Age of Empire is going straight on my wishlist!

[@hailey5784]

To help prevent knots, you can use a thread conditioner. Your thread also might be too long. While shorter thread might seem like a pain because you may have to switch more often, it can cut down on the amount of tangles you have to deal with.

[@paigealex9870]

I enjoying seeing this series, thankyou for sharing your journey to find a new hobby with us! I am now purchased a few Cross stitch kits too try out too x

[@tryingtoputitintowords]

I love this! I’ve picked up needlework recently too-I’ve been embroidering while I watch TV so that i stay off my phone and don’t doomscroll. It’s really helping a lot

[@booksandlifewithlaura2143]

I recommend you to try diamond painting. I don't know if diamond painting is enough creative for you but finished paintings are beautiful. Your cactus painting was one of my favorite paintings which you did in your previous video. I loved how you re-did the cactus painting in this video 🤩

[@alejandragomez499]

Everything turned out so beautifully, I'm now thinking of starting it myself!

[@ayajade6683]

You can leave the finished pieces in the hoop, you can cut the aida cloth to fit a frame, and so much more. On making bigger pieces you just move the hoop based on the pages of the cross stitch pattern.if you keep loosing the needle magnetic needle minders help avoid that. Etsy is full of PDF patterns where you just have to buy the thread colors listed.

[@j3ssst3r]

I love cross stitching, embroidery, crochet, jewel-art (like, you literally have a sheet that is sticky and you slowly stick fake jewels to it. Like a fancy color by numbers), all sorts of crafts. So I love seeing other people try it out, and the projects and ideas they come up with. I loved all of the designs but my favorites were definitely the phone case and the towel!! So cute!!!

[@nursewhostitches7698]

I love cross stitch and audiobooks. It's a great hobby. Currently working on a big project.

[@Pernille842]

I havent read through your comments so i dont know if someone already told you. But with your cross stitch you would traditionelle find the center of the design and the center of your fabric and that way insuring you center the design so it fits on your fabric 😀 as with your bookmark! Loved the video. Best video ever

[@maikengravgaard5082]

I always knit (or crochet) when listening to audiobooks. Once you’re in the flow you can do it without thinking, and in the end you get a sweater, hat or scarf out of it ☺️

[@Nightfeare]

If you are wanting to get more into cross stitch look up Flosstube on KZbin. There are so many different patterns and options. There are kits that are printed, but I love counted cross stitch. I really think you should explore it more. There are some projects that use both cross stitching and embroidery. Have fun.

[@amberd6696]

They are all so cute, but I liked the bee the best :-)

[@joanareads]

not me answering all the questions at the beginning of the video in my head like that's helpful at all

[@meljstephan]

Can I just say these vlogs are the highlights of my day

[@genevieveking5078]

I worked on a large picture of a winter tree for cross-stitching. It was a beginner one where the colored squares are printed on to help make the design.

[@emmiesreads]

love this!!! i recently picked up tunisian crochet and knitting! fav thing to do while listening to audiobooks and podcasts! i loved the towel and phone case!

[@mandymahoney9993]

This series is my favorite you’ve done!

[@bookofdust]

Oh my god, you should have listened to Sutton Foster’s memoir Hooked, which is built around her love of crafting. It adds much balance to the very dark elements of her life, especially her mother. And she has such a beautiful melodic voice worth listening to for hours. I kind of started listening to it as a dismissive lark, but the darkness made it so much more and justifying her approach.

[@teresaboyer5707]

Tip for the knots- drop your threaded needle every few stitches and it will unwind itself.

[@brendadeuel602]

I love cross stitching. It is my favorite hobby. I cross stitch everyday. Usually I listen to books while doing it. The are several different materials to use. You can also get preprinted cross stitch which I am trying this year.

[@julesunwritten139]

Everything you do turns out incredible! Teach me your waysss

[@scottishbookworm8506]

So excited to come back to this. But I love stitching while listening to books. They are quite time consuming so works well.

[@09hstein]

This inspired me to go pick up my embroidery projects! Which was much needed, I have three sets of dish towels I would like to get done for gifts this year

[@sarawithoutanH]

omg your cactus is so pretty! very impressed

[@ivonajuraskova4783]

The towel is gorgeous, I might just make something like that 😍

[@basicbechreader1742]

After watching this I've definitely considered picking up the new age empire. I had never heard of it but sounds like it has some great info. I'm very new to nonfiction reading and don't read it much at all so I'm trying to add some more to my life. I thought all of your art projects were fun in different ways.

[@low-energypolitics5677]

That phone case is so cool!

[@ashleyslittlelibrary]

I love this series! I think my favorite project out of this video was the peachy towel 🍑 I’ve tried embroidery in the past and never even completed my first project because I didn’t have the patience for it lol. Excited to see you explore that more later!

[@BrebearMckae]

I always wanted to get into these!! I knit and can crochet some but haven’t gotten around to expanding quite yet🤣 you did great!! 💕

[@BooksandScribbles]

I used to cross-stitch all the time when I was in high school. It was a great way to occupy my hands while listening to music or rehearsing songs at home for choir.

[@anxious_apparition]

This video reminds me I have a lovebird pillowcase cross stitch kit floating around somewhere. That'll be a nice change from knitting this cable sweater.

[@ReadingMissFroggy]

I have been cross stitching for about a year and a half and I love it so much, it has been such fun to see one of my favourite booktubers try it out as well!

[@readingintothevoid2930]

I love this series! This is the first one I saw, but i have wanted to find a hobby I can do while listening to audiobooks so many times so I really appreciate you testing these things out! Everything you made turned out so good. My favorite was the cactus. So cool.