Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Late to the Party

Many stitching bloggers have reported on the Chinese weightlifters's stitching habits. But I just love this article, from the China Daily:

Cross-stitch originated in Europe and was improved upon by South Koreans, who added some cartoonish elements and made it a popular hobby among Chinese school girls.

Take that, Europeans. Improved upon by the South Koreans. Which is not to say they haven't improved cross-stitch. I'm going out on a limb to say that not a whole lot of westerners have even seen a South Korean pattern, let alone experienced their improvements. Does this mean we need a road trip? Everyone in the car! We're going to South Korea for improved cross-stitch! (While we're there we can pick up some Hello Kitty chest guards.) I will allow that it may be through South Korea that the Chinese school girls discovered cross-stitch. Yup, we'll allow that.

Just like the weightlifting coach Chen Wenbin.

13 comments:

glamlawlib said...

Hmmm I am about to reveal how truly sad I am, but - Hello Kitty is Japanese, it's Pucca that's Korean.

I have the merchandise to prove it ;)

Unknown said...

South Korea? Then why haven't I seen any of them in Korean stores? Especially in the San Francisco Bay Area?

I can tell from lengthy research in Japan that it would probably be Very Hard to find Hello Kitty stitching. I found only one Japanese magazine that carried anything about stitching and it was only some very, very simple flower motifs. Even in their largest hobby store there was a meager supply of DMC and a few needles, but no patterns at all.

mainely stitching said...

I laughed so hard I had to change my jeans!

Anna van Schurman said...

Redwitch, I know Hello Kitty is Japanese, it's the South Korean women's archery team that wears the Hello Kitty chest guards, and that was my reference. Sorry; it was oblique.

Kathryn, what can I say, the Chinese are propagandists.

Barbara, stop having children now. Look what you've done to yourself, girlfriend!

Anonymous said...

Well, I kept reading and watching for the link to the South Korean charts but didn't find them and, now, feel let down. Could you remedy that, please?

;)

dd

glamlawlib said...

Ah, my mistake sorry, I bow to your superior Hello Kitty knowledge...

Maggitle said...

Hihihihi, maybe they should invite all the cross stitchers over there for a class. If they pay of all the expenses I will go for it!
Margit from Germany ;)
PS: I LOVE to read your blog, it always makes me smile.

Anonymous said...

Hell, you would have loved my chuckle!!

(I got your Hello Kitty reference - you had to be there)!

Donna said...

I wonder, do they make Hello Kitty chest protectors in extra large?

I, too, have seen no evidence of this so-called South Korean improved cross stitch. But I'll be keeping my eyes open.

Teena in Toronto said...

Your pix are lovely :)

Happy blogoversary!

Nicki said...

Well, I clicked on the link and they're obviously Olympic speed stitchers too as a couple of them mentioned it was very satisfying to see a finish after three or four days... I'm lucky to see a finish after three or four months :) Or maybe they're just stitching little Hello Kittys?!

Ruth said...

Hey, maybe we should envite them to a SAL? :) Tell them to bring their improvements!

Paisley said...

My son is doing a tour at Camp Carroll in South Korea. Maybe I should ask him if there's a LNS near the base!