Looking for a hobby that can help you make more friends? You may be surprised that you can make many friends through cross stitch. Most people don't realize they can make new cross stitch friends quite easily, but they can if they'll just make the effort. What's also nice about meeting friends who enjoy cross stitch is that you'll not only have a great time, you'll also get to stitch some great patterns as well.

When you first start your quest, stop by your local craft store. They may have a cross stitch club that meets there or know of one in the area. If they currently don't have a club that meets at the store, ask about starting one. Even if the store isn't interested, don't get discouraged. You can still form your own cross stitch club.

Starting your own cross stitch club isn't as difficult as it may seem. The secret is planning. You need to think through what will be involved before you advertise your club. For instance, where will your club meet? You need a location where people can sit comfortably and stitch. That means you'll need chairs and excellent lighting. You'll also need a place for all these people to park their vehicles. Be certain to decide in advance if your club will only be for cross stitch fans or if people who enjoy other crafts can join as well. Finally, you'll need to pick a time for your club to meet.

You'll also have to think about the subscription rate, the aims of the club and any specific rules for members. It may be a good idea to discuss initial plans with your first members so that your club can be fine-tuned to meet most people's needs. Don't forget that cross stitch uses your hands and your eyes -- so you can chat and listen at the same time.

If the thought of organizing a club seems a bit ambitious, then why not ask some friends and acquaintances round for an evening and suggest some stitching together. You can even show a newbie how it's done. Before long, you may end up with a regular club -- so much more sociable than just meeting up to drink and eat.

So much for the locals... Let's move on to making new cross stitch friends elsewhere.

Have you ever considered finding cross stitch friends through a penpal site? It's fun to keep in touch with other enthusiasts. If you explore the cross stitch sites on the internet, you'll find that several have a place for penpals. Cross stitch magazines also often include penpal information. What's fun about a penpal is that you can trade ideas and hints, plus offer encouragement to a fellow stitcher across the globe. Not only will you get to discuss your favorite hobby, but you'll also meet people from far away countries.

The internet has many penpal sites too, although in my view, it's worthwhile taking time to ensure that the site you're engaging with is a good one. Never add your postal address or telephone number to their database. Your email address will suffice for the first exchanges with a new friend, and you can give her or him more contact details when you are sure that the person is genuine. You may prefer to have an e-pal, as opposed to a snail mail friend.

Many people prefer to chat with their penpal using email rather than snail mail. When you email, you tend to get a quicker response. This makes it simpler to keep in touch. Also, some people don't like writing letters, although they do enjoy writing emails. If, however, you and your penpal enjoy writing letters, then you'll be in for a treat sometimes when you visit your mailbox. In addition to letters, you and your penpal also can exchange little gifts for added fun.

There are a number of e-groups on the internet that combine email and snail mail to promote friendship and cross stitch worldwide. One such group is run by Yahoo, called XStitchpals. Members exchange cross stitched cards every month, with a different theme for each month. They also chat on a forum, support each other with stitching and non-stitching issues and may email each other individually if they wish. The friendships developed are very real, despite the fact that the members live so far from each other. This may well be the way forward for stitching friendship.

Lots of options are available when it comes to finding cross stitch friends. You can meet people at a local cross stitch club, enjoy chatting with a penpal, or form a friendship with someone on an e-group. The first step is up to you. Why not start looking for fellow stitchers by joining the forums at Patterns Patch cross stitch private club?