Its good that schools no longer channel children into gender based roles of girls doing needlework and cookery and boys doing metal and woodwork. When I took commercial subjects I know there was at least one boy who wanted to learn to type and do shorthand but again these subjects were "for girls".
I never got into cross stitch because the discipline was a bit too mechanical for me. Ive made a lot of tapestries using freehand combinations of stitches and like my designs to evolve as I go. That was why I loved crochet.
My grandmother made entire crochet bed covers and pillow shams in openwork silky thread. I still have some of her work today.
Crochet (and any kind of handwork) are wonderful hobbies because you can carry them with you anywhere. They fill up boring waits and (unlike screen gazing) you can also hold a conversation while doing them. I have many times flown with small patchwork projects to the curiosity and admiration of the cabin crew and other passengers.
Live over 225 miles away from family
don't have a problem with under 16's having free bus travel,BUT
