Designing, crafting and being creative has proven successful for positive mental health.
Famous artist, Louise Bourgeois, explains how the impact from her art and design has improved her mental health and has become therapy to overcome her anxiety:
“I know that when I finish a drawing, my anxiety level decreases. When I draw it means that something bothers me, but I don’t know what it is. So it is the treatment of anxiety.” Louise Bourgeois
Famous McFly drummer, Harry Judd, was recently introduced to tapestry and needle-crafts by his mum, Emma, while taking part on the show Race Across the World! Harry found it tough being away from his wife and small children, so to fill the time, and take his mind off it, they started stitching together. This helped him escape his worries and calmed him down during the challenge. Cross stitching allowed him to focus his mind.
Creating and designing can inspire positive emotions and provide a sense of comfort and security. This can be achieved through the use of colour, light, texture, pattern and other design elements. By creating something that is visually appealing, in a clam space, can have a positive impact on yourself and those around you. The creative process will promote relaxation and well-being.
Cross stitching a variation of designs, can increase morale, boost mood and support mindfulness. Across the Facebook group, many cross stitchers have shared the importance of the craft in determining better mental health. Here's what they have to say:
Debbie Weaver - "I enjoy it so much. It is a great stress reliever as well.
"Shelly Witham - "It’s essential. It is the only thing that can make me fully focus and forget the rest of the world. It distracts from chronic pain wonderfully."
Lynda Ashcroft - "It's really important for me and I notice a huge difference if I don't do any for a few days. I find it really calming, it's great to have something to focus on and it really helps me wind down of an evening. I find I sleep so much better too than if I don't pick it up. Its my safe space where I can just relax and lose myself for a little while whilst also making something lovely."
Gaby Ellis - "It’s completely essential to calming my mind. Anxiety, depression and PTSD don’t make life easy. Doing something that requires concentration and counting calms me down especially on the bad days."
Joanna Dolińska - "I find it very comforting. Between ptsd and autism ccs helps me a lot. Plus awesome group like this - everyone is nice and helpful."
Love It Stitch It, is a cross stitch design platform, created to bring people together from all walks of life. The goal is to awaken peoples' creativity and find some peace through design in this hectic world. Creating a community, supporting others and encouraging individuality, is at the heart of Love It Stitch It.
Using Love It Stitch It, has enabled many to find a sense of mindfulness with cross stitch designing. Visualising their designs come to life and sharing with others, has proven a very rewarding experience and feeling of accomplishment. This can be especially helpful if you are struggling with mental health challenges, such as depression or anxiety.
There's no limit on what you can create and sell on the exclusive marketplace. Allow thousands of others to enjoy this craft by stitching your design and earn money by doing something you enjoy!
Even if you are lacking in experience with design, you can take pleasure in shopping the platform. Thousands of designs, created by independent designers, from all over the world can be searched and purchased for your own benefits.
"I found the site really easy to use and navigate. Its great value for a one-off design and I love that I'm able to use the free trial first. Overall, I think the site is fantastic and it would definitely be something I will be using!"
- Customer Louise Whyte
Sit back, relax and grab yourself a cuppa, whilst you enjoy some quiet time designing your ultimate cross stitch design with Love It Stitch It. Choose a quiet spot to indulge in all of our easy-to-use design tools and tutorials - let your imagination run wild!
Designing on our platform has mental health benefits for all ages and abilities.
By designing patterns, counting stitches and keeping our brains engaged, we’re boosting our brain function throughout life. Love It Stitch It, allows for precious down time with your children, creating and having fun together. They will learn the importance of being creative, working together on a design and reconnecting and collaborating. Creating a shared project together can help spark conversation and closeness.
For adults, a shared love of cross stitch is also a great way to meet new people and connect. There’s a whole world of cross stitchers out there in online communities just like our Facebook group.
Ready to start designing? Enjoy a free 7 day trial to see how all the tools work or simply pay as you go; one low price for each pattern.
Explore our Love It Stitch It platform here and get started on a cross stitch design journey that’s great for your mind and soul.
Brand NEW 'North American Adventure' SAL opens for pre-order on Friday 12th April at 5pm UK time and we're so excited to share the details with you.
Calling all cross stitchers! Come with us on a stitchy road trip around North America, where creativity meets adventure. Join a supportive community of crafters, celebrate milestones, and share the joy of creating a fun, travel-inspired masterpiece.
Maybe you're a crafting fanatic, or maybe you're a complete beginner looking for a new, creative hobby? Either way, you will adore the fuss-free Caterpillar Club subscription boxes!
The quirky design features decorative bookshelves where colourful novels, a plant, and a globe, are wearing adorable happy faces. The project is complete with easy-to-follow instructions, an A4 colour printed pattern, DMC stranded cotton, 1 DMC branded needle, white Zweigart 14 count aida fabric (recommended for beginners), and a pre-sorted Carlos the Caterpillar thread holder.
Caterpillar Cross Stitch are honoured to be the next crafty small business chosen to help raise money for Cats Protection! We have designed 3 unique, wooden, cat-shaped decorations for you to personalise with little cross stitches.
You'll have heaps of fun, learn a new, crafty skill, and have a beautiful, finished craft project to show off to your family and friends, all while raising vital funds for the UK's leading cat charity.