So obviously anyone running a cross stitch business is going to be singing the praises of the craft and telling you that you should take it up because, duh, it’s great. I truly believe this about cross stitch – after all, I love it enough to have shaped my life around it – and it’s something that every year fluctuates in popularity as people take up their new years resolutions and aim to try something new.
Of course, I’d love you to start stitching in 2024 and with January fast approaching, why not use that as an excuse? To really convince you without just trying to sell you shit, I’ve gone ahead and found some tangible, proven reasons why you should take up x-stitch sometime soon… and why you should stick with it!
It boosts mental wellbeing.
Yep, it’s official: cross stitch has a positive impact on your mental health. The MARCH mental health network at University College London (UCL) carried out research into the effects of engaging with arts and crafts on psyche. It proved that engaging with artistic endeavours such as cross stitch reduced anxiety and increased dopamine release within participants, encouraging ‘cognitive flexibility’. The BBC’s Great British Creativity Test backed up these findings and found that textile crafts have the highest participation rates of all the arts; so it’s clear the potential for good here is huge!
It can be a distraction; but a good one!
I know, distraction isn’t always a good thing. But there is such a thing as a healthy distraction – when your brain needs some space from all the other shit going on in your life and around the world to process everything. With cross stitch requiring at least your visual focus, it can serve as a calming influence through its repetition and give you some much-needed time out.
It literally improves your cognitive skills.
Turns out it’s good for your brain! A study by the medical journal The Gerontologist (yeah, I don’t know either) found that engaging in creative activities improved the cognitive function of participants and had extra favourable outcomes for those living with dementia. So much so, in fact, that they proposed a plan with full cost analysis for formal arts ‘interventions’ with dementia patients because the impacts were so positive.
It’s an ideal way to make presents rather than buy them.
January is the month of the skint-as-fuck-vibes and if you’ve got a loved one with a birthday coming up you’ve likely not even considered sending them a gift until you’ve December’s dramas out of the way. So why buy something? Save your cash and cross stitch them something instead. You get the smug satisfaction of claiming credit for a handmade present and they’ll be chuffed you’ve put the time and effort into something special just for them. Win-win!
All sounds good, eh? I definitely think so. And if I’ve done a good job of convincing you, go and explore the Curious Twist collection now. I’ve got full cross stitch kits that are perfect for beginners if this is a brand new skill for you to try, or, if you’ve got some of the gear and a vague idea, you can download a pattern to make a start on.
Happy stitching… and happy New Year!
Melody xx
