Get 9 free patterns worth £54!

  • Log in
  • Cart (0)
  • Cart (0)
  • Log in
  • Checkout
  • NEW
  • Shop All

    All Kits & Patterns  

    Best Sellers
    Cross Stitch Kits
    Stitch-a-Longs
    Subscription Box
    Advent Calendar
    Cross Stitch Patterns
    Exclusive Member Patterns
    Crochet Kits

    By Skill Level  

    Beginner Kits
    Advanced Kits

    By Theme  

    Christmas
    Halloween
    Easter
    Nature
    Floral & Gardens
    Animals
    Adventure & Travel
    Inspirational & Quotes
    Positivity

    By Age  

    For Children
    For Adults
  • Accessories

    Accessories  

    Needle Minders
    Planner
    Hoops and Stands
    Scissors
    Project Bags
    Thread Holders and Bobbins
    Thread Wax

    Merchandise  

    2025 Advent Calendar
    Gift Cards
    Mugs
    T-Shirts
  • Subscription Box
  • Membership
  • Community

    Join Our World  

    Membership
    Facebook Group
    Stitching Socials
    2025 Stitch Retreat
    About Us

    Learn Cross Stitch  

    YouTube Tutorials
    Blog
    FAQs
  • Country

  • NEW
  • Shop All
  • All Kits & Patterns  

    Best Sellers
    Cross Stitch Kits
    Stitch-a-Longs
    Subscription Box
    Advent Calendar
    Cross Stitch Patterns
    Exclusive Member Patterns
    Crochet Kits

    By Skill Level  

    Beginner Kits
    Advanced Kits

    By Theme  

    Christmas
    Halloween
    Easter
    Nature
    Floral & Gardens
    Animals
    Adventure & Travel
    Inspirational & Quotes
    Positivity

    By Age  

    For Children
    For Adults
  • Accessories
  • Accessories  

    Needle Minders
    Planner
    Hoops and Stands
    Scissors
    Project Bags
    Thread Holders and Bobbins
    Thread Wax

    Merchandise  

    2025 Advent Calendar
    Gift Cards
    Mugs
    T-Shirts
  • Subscription Box
  • Membership
  • Community
  • Join Our World  

    Membership
    Facebook Group
    Stitching Socials
    2025 Stitch Retreat
    About Us

    Learn Cross Stitch  

    YouTube Tutorials
    Blog
    FAQs
  • Country

Worldwide Shipping
Free UK P&P on orders over £40
01926 485 045
BLOG & NEWS

Cross Stitching Through Cancer

September 13, 2019

Cross Stitching Through Cancer

Summer 2017, I had 3 young children, and a successful career. The last thing I expected to find was that lump. But I did. And it was breast cancer. Within a few days my life went from making the normal summer holiday plans to a nightmare-ish blur of daily hospital appointments, waiting rooms, numerous injections and scans and then, further along, two operations, 6 months of aggressive chemotherapy and a month of radiotherapy. My medical team were fantastic, the NHS at its finest, even throwing in free counselling which helped through the darkest days.

I wasn’t used to sitting in an empty house during my treatment, with only inane daytime TV to keep me company whilst it seemed everyone else was getting on with their lives. I looked into meditation and mindfulness courses to help me through my worries, but conscious that I wasn’t bringing in a full income during my illness, the costs seemed quite prohibitive.

Sally is a good friend and we went through the baby years together. She knew that I enjoyed cross stitching as a young girl. One day, and to my surprise, the first cross stitch arrived in the post. The Grace Wreath. Despite feeling overwhelmingly tired from treatment, I picked up the fabric and started stitching. The ability to follow a pattern and stitch came back quickly to me. I felt calm. The simple task of pulling the thread through the fabric, over and over, was the best form of mindfulness for my busy mind. I could focus on the task in hand, and not the worry. I had a purpose, a project, something positive to create that was unconnected to everything going on around me.

cross stitch cancer meditation benefits mindfulness

Once I’d finished the Grace Wreath, my next project started - the Enjoy The Ride Stitch-a-Long. I really enjoyed this stitch-a-long concept as it involved a small burst of stitching every month, and then a rest in-between, which I could time in for bouts of fatigue. The release of each new pattern took me through the horrific early days of treatment, and onwards and through to my recovery.

My children were hugely excited by the release of each new SAL pattern, each trying to guess the next fairground feature to appear. This was a lovely experience for us to share together whilst I wasn't able to carry out my usual mummy functions. I am now creating, for each of my children, their very own beautiful SAL cross stitch to hang on their bedroom walls.

So, cross stich allows me to sit down and just breathe. It’s something that I can do for myself that I don’t mind the children seeing me do (unlike zoning out on my mobile phone in front of them!) It encourages me to rest, steady my breathing and stay in the moment. It gives me a couple of minutes of calm. That doesn’t happen very often in our house. The bottom line? Cross stitching is good for you. It helps out mental well-being, it is not too difficult to pick up, it isn’t expensive and it doesn’t expect too much of you.

Submitted anonymously. 

You can support Cancer Research UK by purchasing a Brave and Strong needle minder or pin badge here. £2 from every sale goes directly to the charity. 



Also in BLOG & NEWS

Positivity Lifts cross stitch pattern
How to Correct Mistakes in Your Cross Stitch Projects

June 05, 2025

Don't let a mistake put you off cross stitching! We're here to support you through how to avoid making common cross stitching mistakes, and how to correct any errors you spot.

Continue Reading

The Different Types of Cross Stitch Fabric Explained: Aida, Evenweave, and Linen
The Different Types of Cross Stitch Fabric Explained: Aida, Evenweave, and Linen

May 27, 2025

Discover which fabric is right for you. In this guide, we’re going to look at the three main types of fabric used by cross stitchers: aida, evenweave, and linen. We cover the reasons why you might want to choose one or the other, as well as the benefits and disadvantages of each.

Continue Reading

How to Prepare Your Fabric For Cross Stitching
How to Prepare Your Fabric For Cross Stitching

May 08, 2025

Taking the time to prepare your fabric for cross stitching will ensure that you get the best results from your finished piece. This post will show you exactly how to prep your fabric, as well as share some of our top tips and tricks to help you achieve the very best results possible.

Continue Reading

NEED HELP?
  • Contact
  • FAQs
  • Buy Gift Vouchers
  • Corporate and Events
  • Shipping & Delivery
  • Returns Policy
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy

Address: Unit C15B Holly Farm Business Park, Warwickshire, CV8 1NP

Email: support@caterpillarcrossstitch.com

Tel: 01926 485 045

Join the Stitch Club newsletter below and you'll receive weekly emails with tutorials, offers and free patterns. We take your privacy seriously and never share data.

Sign up below to access your FREE eBook of 9 cross stitch patterns, worth £54.

ABOUT
  • Our Story
  • Blog
  • Subscription Boxes
  • Wholesale
  • Reviews
  • Tutorials
  • Giving Back
  • Press & Awards
  • Join Us

© 2025 Caterpillar Cross Stitch. Caterpillar Crafts Limited Company Number 08347850 VAT Registration Number 338300521 Powered by Shopify

American Express Apple Pay Diners Club Discover Google Pay Maestro Mastercard PayPal Shop Pay Union Pay Visa