Why Embroidery Keeps Calling Me Back: A Love Letter to My Favourite Craft

I’ve always loved dabbling in different creative hobbies—trying my hand at painting, testing out pottery, even playing around with resin art. Each one offers something fun and unique, and for a while, I’m all in. But no matter how far I wander, there’s one craft I always find myself returning to: embroidery.

Whether it’s a hectic week or a slow Sunday, embroidery is my go-to when I need a little “me” time. There’s something about the rhythm of the needle, the feel of fabric under my fingers, and the gentle unfolding of a design that keeps me coming back for more. Over the years, I’ve thought a lot about what makes embroidery the one for me—and maybe for you, too.

Here are the five big reasons embroidery has completely captured my heart.

A simple snowdrops embroidery design

1 You Can Do It Literally Anywhere

One of my favourite things about embroidery is how flexible it is with where (and when) you do it. Most of the time, I stitch on the sofa, curled up with a cup of tea and my dog snoozing nearby. But I’ve also embroidered in my conservatory with the sun streaming in, out in the garden under a shady tree, and even on the beach while listening to the waves.

You can’t say that about a lot of crafts. Try sculpting clay in a park or oil painting on a windy day at the seaside—it just doesn’t work! Embroidery, on the other hand, is happy to go wherever you go. Whether you’ve got five minutes or fifty, at home or away, your hoop and thread are ready when you are.

Stitching a Christmas embroidery in the garden.

2 It’s Super Portable

Let’s be honest: some crafts are a logistical nightmare. You need a whole table, half your kitchen, and a checklist of supplies just to get started. Not embroidery. Even a big project fits neatly into a small bag or pouch. All you really need is your fabric, hoop, thread, needle, and scissors. That’s it.

I love packing up a little travel kit when I go on holiday. It’s the perfect quiet activity for long train rides or slow mornings in a cosy cottage. I even used to bring it along on my daily commute—so much more calming than scrolling through emails or reading the news.

Embroidery is also easy to pause and pick up again. You don’t lose your place or your rhythm, which means you can work on it in short bursts—during lunch breaks, between chores, or while waiting at appointments.

Stitching with my dog!

3 It’s Perfect for Multitasking

If your life is anything like mine, uninterrupted time is a rare and precious thing. More often than not, I’m stitching while watching TV, chatting with my husband, or with my dog curled up beside me. Embroidery fits beautifully into the background of life—it doesn’t demand total silence or laser-sharp focus (unless you’re doing something especially intricate).

Compared to other crafts, embroidery is wonderfully forgiving. Cross stitch, for example, usually requires close counting and keeping track of a grid—doable, but not exactly relaxing if you're also trying to keep up with a movie plot. Knitting and crochet are lovely, but when you drop a stitch or lose your place, it can throw the whole thing off.

With embroidery, I can relax into the rhythm of stitching and still feel like I’m present in the moment. It’s the perfect balance of focus and freedom.

4 It’s Incredibly Beginner-Friendly

Let’s bust a myth right now: you don’t need to be “artistic” to be good at embroidery. Seriously. I used to think I didn’t have an ounce of creative talent. But modern embroidery kits changed that for me. They come with everything you need—fabric with a pre-printed pattern, threads, needle, instructions—so all you have to do is open the package and start stitching.

The best part? Your first project doesn’t have to be perfect. In fact, one of the loveliest things about embroidery is how much you learn with each piece. Every stitch teaches you something new, and before you know it, you’re moving on from simple outlines to fancy florals or textured stitches.

There’s a real sense of achievement in finishing a piece and seeing your progress, especially when it’s something you once thought was out of your reach.

5 It’s a Mindful, Meditative Escape

If I had to pick just one reason embroidery holds such a special place in my life, it would be this: it’s incredibly calming. The repetition of stitching, the gentle movements, the focus on something tactile—it’s like a form of meditation with thread.

There’s something quietly powerful about sitting down to make something with your hands. It slows you down. It helps your mind stop racing. It reminds you that small, steady steps can create something beautiful.

And let’s be honest: there’s a tiny, funny satisfaction in the fact that embroidery involves stabbing fabric thousands of times—and it’s considered soothing. 😄

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Final Thoughts: A Craft That Keeps Giving

Embroidery has become more than a hobby for me—it’s a kind of companion and now it’s my business. It meets me wherever I am, whether I’m stressed and need to unwind, or just want a few creative minutes in a busy day. It’s taught me patience, brought me pride, and connected me to a whole world of makers who find joy in the same simple stitches.

So, if you’re curious about embroidery, or looking for a craft that’s calming, creative, and completely doable—give it a try. You might just find yourself falling in love with it, too.