10 independent woman-owned cross stitch and craft brands in the UK

10 independent woman-owned cross stitch and craft brands in the UK

As an owner of an independent cross stitch and craft business myself, I know how important it is to support small businesses - now more than ever.

When you support small businesses, you truly make a difference to their lives. You can make someone’s day by buying their products, or even by sharing their products on Instagram so that someone else can discover them.

There are so many amazing craft brands owned by women in the UK, and I wanted to use my platform to highlight all the brilliant and creative things they do.

 

1. Sew Sophie Crafts for the cutest cross stitch kits

Sophie lives in Norfolk with her family, and makes beginner-friendly, joyful cross stitch kits - you might remember her adorable designs from my blog post from last December, 8 creative & colourful cross stitch patterns for animal lovers.

Sophie has always loved crafts, but fell instantly in love with the calming, therapeutic nature of cross stitching, and decided to create a business to share the positive impact it can have on wellbeing.

She set up Sew Sophie Crafts in 2019 while on maternity leave, and over the years has collaborated with Anchor Crafts, partnered with Sewing Street TV, and exhibited at national events, including The Stitch Festival.

 

2. Folk-inspired cross stitch patterns by Yasmin’s Made with Love

Yasmin’s Made with Love is owned by Malgorzata Gren, or Yasmin to her friends and family. She was born in Poland, where she was immersed in the local folk art and events, which you can see reflected in her cross stitch designs.

Over the 9 years she’s been cross stitching, she often found herself changing patterns to make them more to her liking, whether it was adding elements like family initials or recharting details to reflect her nationality.

In December 2022 she decided to create her own cross stitch patterns under the name Yasmin’s Made with Love, creating designs with strong elements of folk art in the bright colours, contrasting fabrics, and strong outlines.

 

3. The Make Arcade for a wide range of wonderful crafts

Ruth founded The Make Arcade back in 2013, because she wanted to share her love of craft and DIY with new generations of makers. At this time, she released just a few craft kits, but the business has grown so much since then.

The Make Arcade now produces thousands of craft kits, which are all designed in their happy studio in Salisbury.

They create all kinds of craft kits (not just cross stitch), including embroidery, pom-poms, appliqué, and felt sewing, and they also sell sewing accessories and supplies.

 

4. Meloca Designs for colourful cross stitch and diamond painting kits

Of course, I had to include my own craft brand on this list! I started Meloca Designs in 2017, after a lifetime of loving art, crafts and stitching since childhood.

I studied A-Level Art, Design and Textiles and then got a degree in Business Studies, which have all really helped and contributed to the success of Meloca Designs.

One of my very first cross stitch kits was a custom character design, which was completely personalised to allow people to stitch a ‘cotton’ version of themselves and their loved ones - this evolved into our Melocharacters series.

Meloca Designs is now most known for our colourful mandala animal cross stitch kits, which are now also available as diamond painting kits, and are all crafted in our home studio in Birmingham.

 

5. Witchy alt cross stitch kits by Innocent Bones

Innocent Bones is a craft company owned and run by Grace from her Newcastle studio. She sells all kinds of alt cross stitch kits, like tarot cards and edgy phrases, and other witchy things, and also sells a cross stitch subscription box called Mood.

Grace originally started her business because she couldn't find any designs to cross stitch that suited her style, so she created her own. It was a side-hustle for a while, but in the summer of 2020 she left her job and went full-time with Innocent Bones.

Grace opened a physical studio shop, which sold cross stitch kits and accessories, as well as other gifts and stationery items, but she’s now moved back onto online only sales.

 

6. Stitchfinity for positive and colourful cross stitch kits

Annie and Alison are two friends who decided to go into business together creating and selling cross stitch kits that they’d love to stitch - fun, vibrant, modern patterns.

They both love cross stitching because it’s such a great way to relax and calm the mind, and they also love bright colours and positive messages - which is clear to see when you browse the Stitchfinity website.

I really love their mini cross stitch kits, they’re so cute and colourful, and would be really great for beginners or as a quick project for experienced cross stitchers who usually work on large and intricate patterns.

 

7. Cross stitch kits with attitude by Curious Twist

Melody had loved cross stitch for years, so decided to quit her regular job in 2017 and start her own cross stitch brand, Curious Twist, from her spare room in Bradford.

She fills loads of sketchbooks with cross stitch designs that she thinks of when she hears a good phrase or a funny conversation, or sees something inspirational.

The cross stitch designs that Melody sells at Curious Twist are “funny, quirky, snarky and often very inappropriate.” If you’re not a fan of old-fashioned cross stitch patterns, you’ll love Melody’s designs.

 

8. Super cool cross stitch kits and supplies by Kate Blandford

Kate sells some very cool cross stitch kits, but also specialises in stitching supplies for cross stitchers and other embroiderers, which she makes from her studio in Bristol.

She’s most well-known for her acrylic floss drops, which are used to keep embroidery threads tidy. If you’re thinking that sounds familiar, it might be because I mentioned them in my recent post, 5 clever products for keeping your cross stitching super organised.

In Kate’s Etsy shop you’ll also find acrylic bobbins, organisers, needle minders, embroidery hoops and some other stitchy tools too.

 

9. Beautiful UK landmarks by Trouvaille Stitch Kits

Cross stitch designer Jennifer’s mission is to help people create meaningful pieces of art. She owns Trouvaille Stitch Kits, where she makes and sells high-quality yet affordable cross stitch kits and patterns.

She started her craft business in 2020, when she had started cross stitching, but just couldn't find modern, colourful, easy cross stitch kits that brought her joy.

She started designing beginner-friendly cross stitch patterns that celebrate UK landmarks, such as classic British seaside scenes. I really love the Sycamore Gap cross stitch kit - it’s such a lovely way to remember a special place.

 

10. The Geeky Stitching Co for cute cross stitch creatures

The Geeky Stitching Co was started by Jess in 2014, because like many other crafty business owners, she couldn’t find any patterns she wanted to stitch.

Jess runs the business on her own from The Geeky Stitching Co HQ - a colourful converted stable outside her home in North Devon. From there she has sent out tens of thousands of kits worldwide.

The cross stitch patterns Jess designs are super cute, often featuring animals and phrases, so of course one of her designs also made it into 8 creative & colourful cross stitch patterns for animal lovers.

 

It’s so lovely to be part of the creative small business community - as you can see there are so many amazing woman-owned craft businesses in the UK, and I’m really proud to be one of them.

Let me know if I’ve missed anyone amazing off my list in the comments below, or send me a DM on Instagram!

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