I might try to learn crochet this winter. I used to cross-stitch also but it's a little hard on my eyes anymore. (I still have a project only half-finished that I promised to someone
) That's why I was thinking of crochet - it may be a little easier to see the crochet stitch vs. the little cross-stitch!
Lori, cross-stitch uses thin, thread-like floss, and a needle similar to a sewing needle, but not really sharp. The canvas has little square holes in it where your needle and the next stitch goes (or if you really want to strain your eyes, lol, use a fabric with a tighter weave - you'll have to search for that next stitch!) Your stitching looks like a row of xxxx - each end of the "x" goes into a hole in the canvas, and you vary the color of the thread depending on the pattern/picture.
I've never really done any knitting or crocheting, but they both use yarn, and the type of yarn used depends on what you're making - thin and soft for a baby's blanket, or a little thicker and coarser for a sweater. You can also vary the size of the stitch by the size of the needle. To knit, you need two needles, but only one for crochet.