Crafting is my passion, one of my go-to options when I need to relax. This book pairs perfectly with some self care time as I indulge in some stitching. The pictures are beautiful, the patterns are clear and concise, and I love the ideas! Clear instructions, make this perfect for both expert and beginner.

This book was great, it felt fresh and not like anything else I've read lately. It really helped me get into a new hobby and made it easy!

I love all these cross stitch books. I've made something out of each one and they just bring so much happiness to people's lives. I'll be purchasing this for my library!

I recently read Sew Mindful Cross Stitch by Sophie Crabb and it was a great experience. The book offers a unique combination of modern cross stitch projects and mindfulness practices for a calming effect on mental wellbeing. Sophie Crabb brilliantly explores the relationship between crafting and mental health and encourages readers to engage in the practice of crafting for calm.

The book offers a total of twenty-two cross stitch projects that are categorized into Positive Affirmations, Mindful Messages, and Self-Care Quotes. The projects are vibrant and modern, perfect for beginners and experienced cross stitchers alike. The book provides detailed step-by-step guidance, from the basics of cross stitch to some expert tips to help you get started.

What I loved most about Sew Mindful Cross Stitch is the author's personal account of her own mental health journey. The book offers an honest and thoughtful reflection on topics such as depression, anxiety, overthinking, and imposter syndrome, which helps to open up the conversation on the link between mindfulness and crafting for calm.

Overall, Sew Mindful Cross Stitch is a great read for anyone who loves cross-stitching or is looking for a mindful way to destress. The book offers a great balance between the practical and the personal, making it a must-read for anyone seeking to improve their mental wellbeing.

Cute patterns and great mindfulness lessons. Excited to try some of these out!

Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for this review copy

Book 144 of 200 ~ 2023

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

This book gave me motivation to get into this during 2024 - my year of trying out hobbies and being more into selfcare and learning to say no.

The designs are not overwhelming, but I can see myself trying these out. If i can get the audiobooks for titles, I want then two birds, one stone.

The tslented lady made some really mindful projects, and it will appear and bring joy to the crossstitch beginner and their friend or customer.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

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While I’m not sure the lessons in the book are mindful, it is anlovely crafting companion for those wanting to learn about embroidery. I highly recommend it.

This was fun! I liked the stories, the tips, and the history of the author finding her love for cross stitch. The patterns are fun and there are many, everyone should find something they enjoy in it.

Sew Mindful Cross Stitch is a well curated collection of nice, simple, beginner friendly cross stitch designs by Sophie Crabb. Due out in Jan 2024 from Pen & Sword on their White Owl imprint, it's 224 pages and will be available in paperback format.

These are colourful, sweetly upbeat, simple designs. They're all full-cross patterns, no partial stitches. Some of them do have outline and detail stitching and/or backstitching. The book contains a good absolute beginner tutorial with tips and how-to's for materials and getting started and how to actually -do- cross stitch. Her voice throughout is calm and encouraging (anyone can do this and it's relaxing and fun).

Charts are both colour coded and with symbols. Most of the patterns are on the smaller side, under about 60x60 stitches. Finishing options are not the focus of the book. Most of the projects are shown finished in round wooden embroidery hoops, she does also give a short picture tutorial on mounting with foam core board for framing or displaying.

The author/publisher have also included a short resources and links lists at the back of the book. Supplies, fabrics, and floss will be readily available at any crafts store, as well as online or most big box stores.

Five stars. Very cute collection. This would be a good choice for public or school library acquisition, as well as home use.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

I've been wanting to get into cross stitch for a long time now, so I was super excited to see this available. I'm no pro, but the guides are easy to follow and the graphics are great!

Great for true beginners. Nice simple, blocky patterns. Although they did feel very...clip arty? You know, like the pattern was done on Word and then just run through a program to make it a cross stitch pattern. The "encouragements" were a bit cheesy for my preference.
Nicely laid out with good, detailed photo examples.

I'm a beginner cross-stitcher, so I was attracted to this book right away. It is excellent -- actually one of the best craft books I've seen in a long time. It is perfect for beginners, but rich and varied enough so that even long time cross stitchers will find a fun project. Both newbies and veterans will appreciate the author's emphasis on cross stitching as a meditative, calming, centering activity. That, and the fact that all the projects are simple and super cute make this a must-have for cross stitchers and anyone who thinks they'd like to start with this rewarding needle art.

This book is wonderful. I truly believe anyone from a total beginner to a seasoned pro could take something from this book (and not just the patterns!).

It’s logically ordered and well-balanced to read. As well as tips for cross stitch, it (a the title suggests) has brilliant mindfulness tips to consider while stitching. Not once was it condescending and Sophie is very relatable. I admire her sharing personal details but also making them relevant to the reader too!

I love how Sophie made each pattern feel like part of a collection within each section of the book, plus they’re gorgeous!

I’ve been a buyer of Sophie’s kits before and very pleased to support this wonderful creator.

While you may not be loving the use of the word mindful, which I personally think is overused these days, this is still a fantastic resource for any level cross stitcher. I used to cross stitch when I was younger as my grandmother had taught me. Now, I find myself reconnecting to the memories and cherishing them with new projects.

Whatever your level or interest in cross stitch, you'll find some great ideas and projects in here. ENJOY THEM!

I received a copy of this eBook in exchange for an honest review from NetGalley.

I want this book. Simple, easy, colorful designs that make me smile. All with mindful techniques to add to your cross stich crafting.

Sophie Crabb shares easy and fun cross-stitch patterns. My favourites are Water Your Dreams, Let Yourself Bloom, and Self-care Isn't Selfish.

Her instructions are clear and she gives away some of my favourite tricks: the loop method and starting from the centre.

With every pattern, she explains what the project means to her. I thought it very nice to read those parts.

I would definitely recommend this book to those who want to start cross stitching, especially if your mental health and/or self-care is one of the reasons you want to pick up this new, fun hobby!

A lovely introduction to cross stitch for the beginner and a beautiful book of affirmations that will appeal to the more experienced cross stitcher.

At first glance, it might be strange to think of using crafting as a way to calm anxiety and support mental health. However, the author tells us about her journey and struggles with her own mental health and even gives us an interview with her therapist who discusses how self-care can make a big impact and even gives an exercise that can shift your mindset. The author is *not* a mental health professional and this book does not take the place of other therapies. What she does is share openly about her struggles and shows how each project can support your mental health.

This book is well illustrated with clear photos of the works and the techniques used. If you've never done anything in cross stitch or embroidery, she takes you through all the steps - from tools needed to techniques for stitching to finishing off the project. The experienced cross stitcher can skip most of the basics and go straight to the projects.

The projects have clear, well written steps. She gives you suggested materials and tells you complete steps to stitch it. The charts are easy to read. She also gives you some insight into why she included the project in her collection - whether it's a reminder to slow down or an affirmation to trust in the process. Her thoughts are calming and supportive - a crafter's Bob Ross. She does also give suggestions on how to use stitching to become more mindful - removing other distractions (like tv or podcasts), getting comfy, and just focusing and relaxing into its repetitive nature.

A good introduction for the beginner and a nice addition to an experienced crafter's library.

Thanks to Netgalley and White Owl for the opportunity to read this.

Considering that cross stitch is now my number 1 obsession (yes, even over reading!), seeing this on Netgalley caused me much excitement. Sad? Maybe, but I learnt what Sophie Crabb has. Cross stitch is good for the soul. Whether that's because creativity is good for mental health or I just like stabbing things repeatedly, I don't know, but all I do know is it makes me feel good. Even when the frog comes to visit.

And this book makes me feel good, too. I really wish it had been around when I started. There are very clear instructions that are well illustrated. The patterns are simple enough for a complete beginner but are fun for someone already taking their first steps. Equally, if you're a bit more developed, I think (because I'm not there yet) that the patterns would be good to take a break from more complicated designs. All the designs would make great gifts or decoration for the home.

A really enjoyable and useful guide to cross stitch.

Unfortunately the formatting of this book rendered it a little unreadable for it's content. I can't really give it a realistic review as I couldn't make out some of it.

Book Review!
Sew Mindful Cross Stitch - 5/5!!!

Now, I was lucky enough to be gifted this book and I am so so happy I was... I will still be buying the physical version just so I can make my life easier for cross stitching.

As a complete beginner to Cross Stitch this book was the most helpful I have read so far (bare in in mind I have watched a tonne of YouTube videos to try and help me). Sophie not only goes into tiny details when starting, but there are also some pictures to help show you how to achieve this. To loop for example, when starting, I simply could not wrap my head around this and then suddenly I'm introduced to Sophie Crabb. Game changer.

Sohpie gives us a lovely little intro to begin with, telling us all about her and her life. Love that she's from Norfolk (my favourite place) and she even tells us how cross stitch helped her with her well-being and mental health. As someone who cross stitches to give myself some mean time and to just breath, it's nice to see I'm not alone. Sophie has a great little section about mindfulness (please read it) and it just helps you to see you aren't the only one who needs an escape. There is also an oin depth guide for tools and materials which is SUPER helpful, especially as a newbie. There are amazing photos to help you along the way as well, especially whilst I sat there questioning "What is a Q-Snap?!" Thank you for that Sophie.

The patterns, they are adorable. I can't find a favourite because I loved them all. But the chapter dedicated to mindful messages was just fantastic. Some quotes and patterns for mindfulness alone, a beautiful touch. Thank you for showing me its okay so slow down. Just what a lot of us need right now.