Stitch Therapy

2020 has been a trying year for everyone, I’m assuming.  We started off January and into February as though it would be a year like any other.  Then a global pandemic changed everything.  It has added a new level of stress to our daily lives.  2020 has not just given us a pandemic to deal with, though.  There have been numerous natural disasters, multiple political protests and general uncertainty about our futures.

Simple Running Stitch using the printed fabric as a guide. Stitching on prints is perfect stitch therapy.

All of this is a lot to handle.  Our normal ways to find some stress relief may not be available right now.  I have a suggestion to help ease those anxious times...stitch therapy.  Hand embroidery can be a meditative practice.  When your thoughts are just running wild, it can help to “distract” your brain with some stitching.  There are different types of embroidery projects that can help give you some relief.

Simple hoop filled with Griffin Stitch with a Heavy Chain Stitch border.

One of the easiest projects you can do is to pick your favorite stitch and just go.  First pick a piece of fabric and put it into a hoop.  Grab your favorite color of floss.  I highly recommend some variegated floss for this project.  It’s so satisfying to see the color changes along the way. Then start stitching.  Some great stitches for this “mindless” stitching are Running Stitch, Cross Stitch, Straight Stitch  and French Knots.

An entire hoop filled with .Turkey Work.

Another fun project to do is doodle stitching.  This is another project without an end goal in mind.  You’re just going to stitch to fill up your hoop in any way that feels good.  I like to load up some needles with different colors of floss.  Then I’ll pick a stitch for each color as I go.  There aren’t any rules here.  Just start to fill up the spaces.  Overlapping the stitches is not only allowed, but also recommended.  When you’re done, you’ll have something that’s amazing and beautiful.

Doodle stitching is a great way to practice different stitches. It’s very freeing to not have to follow a plan which can be very satisfying.

These first two projects are good for turning your mind off.  You’ll just be thinking about the needle going up and down.  If you need something to totally sink your teeth into, though, I recommend trying to figure out some of the more involved stitches.  Some of the fun layered stitches would be great. (e.g. Griffin Stitch, Plaid Filling Stitch or Trellis Couching)  You can also try some of those stitches that you’ve been holding off on, like Basque Stitch, Bullion Knot, Diamond Stitch or Spanish Knotted Feather Stitch.  These stitches take a little more practice to master, so concentrating on learning them might just do the trick.

Samples of Spanish Knotted Feather Stitch using 1-6 strands of floss.

If you’re swimming in a pool of anxiety right now, know you’re not alone.  I hope you can find some time to relieve some stress with hand embroidery.  I have found these types of projects really settle my mind, so I can start to address some of the things needing attention.  If you’re really struggling right now, please ask for help from a professional.  You deserve it.

A simple hoop with Battlement Couching and a Chain Stitch border.