When I was a child I used to watch my grandmother as she did her embroidery, learning first-hand how to create stitches on fabric. With great patience she allowed me to add my clumsy attempts to her beautiful needlework. I was lucky but you may not have someone to sit with and learn from. This is where online cross stitch forums can step in.

Normally if you're learning a new craft, you will be shown how. In the case of cross stitch, it's not a difficult craft, so people may think they can learn without help. And, while it is true that cross stitch is one of the easier crafts, you may still have questions. A cross stitch forum is the perfect place to find helpful people to answer your questions and encourage you.

The internet is packed with cross stitch forums, you just need to know how to find them. Just type the phrase "cross stitch forums" with inverted commas, or speech marks, at the beginning and end, into a search engine. You will then be able to view the results to see if the forums appeal to you. Some will be run by shops, others by fellow enthusiasts, but all will offer the chance to chat with like-minded stitchers.

Before joining a cross stitch forum, you will probably want to determine exactly what it is you're looking for in a forum. Do you want a place where people are there to help you if you make mistakes, or do you want to learn about new stitches? Do you desire to learn about free pattern websites, or do you need to find sources for material and threads? A forum can meet these needs, and more.

Believe it or not, even when communicating with fellow cross stitch enthusiasts, you should always give careful thought to how much personal information you share on the web. True friendships are definitely possible, because you have your love of cross stitch as a common ground. Make sure you read the forum's rules for posting before you join also. Forum etiquette is also important to know. Don't let all this sound intimidating, though. It is really as simple as finding a spot that feels comfortable, filling out a simple registration form and jumping into the ongoing conversations. Don't be afraid to introduce yourself and ask questions if you have any.

Forums can be a lot of fun, but they can vary in their scope as well. Some cross stitch forums will offer lots of tips and tricks to help you complete your projects. Others may have a thread where you can display a picture of your finished works. You can look for a forum to advertise and sell your projects or even one that lists patterns and projects to give away. One thing most forums have in common is a chat section. That is often where all the fun happens!

Forums and message boards are great places to learn. When first learning to stitch, browsing the cross stitch forums is a great idea. You can learn a great deal from those who have been 'stitching' for years. Not only will you be encouraged by fellow stitchers who share your interests, but you'll also be able to make new friends, and in the coming years that could well be much more valuable to you than anything you learn about cross stitch.

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John Wigham is an experienced writer and co-owner of Patterns Patch cross stitch forums. An online cross stitch club whose members get free: patterns, articles and tutorials. Visit our colorful => cross stitch blogs for more details.