I created A Frayed Knot because I am a younger stitcher who saw that there can be people in the needlepoint community who view the hobby as an exclusive activity reserved for a certain type of person. After going to stitch clubs and scrolling for hours on needlepoint TikTok, I listened to what people wanted - a place where everyone was welcome, even if you aren’t from the East Coast, you exclusively stitch from bed, or you only stitch in basketweave.

I love to express myself creatively, and I always have fun with everything that I do. I don’t judge anyone for their style of needlepoint, because as long as you are enjoying yourself, that is what is important.

Now, I have to make this about me:

I come from a family who loves to craft. My grandpa did leather work, and my grandma taught me how to embroider when I was in elementary school. Like many people, I needed a creative outlet during covid, so I decided to pick up the needle again and start stitching.

I love traditional hand embroidery but I don’t like that the end product is just some fabric in a hoop that you can frame. With needlepoint, there is more you can make, like purses, ornaments, or even a whole Christmas village.

After I graduated from The University of Texas (hook ‘em!) with a master’s degree in advertising, I struggled to find a job and was dealing with severe anxiety and depression. My one creative outlet was needlepoint. I decided that I wanted to share the joy that this hobby gives me and show that it doesn’t have to cost you an arm and a leg to do it. To me this is not just a side hustle… needlepoint saved my life. If I can bring the joy it brought me to just one other person, I will be happy.