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.
Hmmm I am about to reveal how truly sad I am, but - Hello Kitty is Japanese, it's Pucca that's Korean.
ReplyDeleteI have the merchandise to prove it ;)
South Korea? Then why haven't I seen any of them in Korean stores? Especially in the San Francisco Bay Area?
ReplyDeleteI 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.
I laughed so hard I had to change my jeans!
ReplyDeleteRedwitch, 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.
ReplyDeleteKathryn, what can I say, the Chinese are propagandists.
Barbara, stop having children now. Look what you've done to yourself, girlfriend!
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?
ReplyDelete;)
dd
Ah, my mistake sorry, I bow to your superior Hello Kitty knowledge...
ReplyDeleteHihihihi, 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!
ReplyDeleteMargit from Germany ;)
PS: I LOVE to read your blog, it always makes me smile.
Hell, you would have loved my chuckle!!
ReplyDelete(I got your Hello Kitty reference - you had to be there)!
I wonder, do they make Hello Kitty chest protectors in extra large?
ReplyDeleteI, too, have seen no evidence of this so-called South Korean improved cross stitch. But I'll be keeping my eyes open.
Your pix are lovely :)
ReplyDeleteHappy blogoversary!
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?!
ReplyDeleteHey, maybe we should envite them to a SAL? :) Tell them to bring their improvements!
ReplyDeleteMy son is doing a tour at Camp Carroll in South Korea. Maybe I should ask him if there's a LNS near the base!
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