Sorry to be answering in a less than timely fashion.

Since cross stitch generally uses embroidery floss and a similar needle, it's doubtful that cross stitch would be any easier on your hand. Both types of needlework are genrally done in a hoop. Most cross stitch is done on a gridded sort of fabric, like Aida, which has a weave with with regularly spaced holes so that the cross stitches are even, but it can be done on linen just like embroidery or crewel work.

Cross stitch works are generally created with, as you might guess, cross stitches with some straight stitches, generally used for outlines, and French knots are sometimes used where it would enhance the cross stich embroidery.

Cross stitches are just another type of stitch in your embroidery stitch repertoire.

Doing everything on your own is great. I wish you all the best in learning more about this. I'm not so good at hand-made things so I would rather use digital embroidery services. I have recently discovered that you can print your own artwork and I made some designs in procreate. matohash.com helped me convert everything in the right format to be printed and now I have my personalized clothes. They look like they have just been done hand-made. With the help from those who did it better than me my clothes look great. My skills are definitely not good at all so this would be the suggestion for those who are just like me.

Blubird, thanks for the info! I've got one more (?????) Christmas stocking to embroider, but I have several months to get it done.

I might have to find another way to make things for my grandbabies!

Thunderbirdman The idea here is to make home made things for my grandchildren to remember me by! I'm pretty talented at my embroidery.

I can buy something for their room from a store, or I can embroider something that they will cherish and possibly pass on to their children! I have stuff that my mother and quilts that my grandmother made! Get it?