39 PROFILE Stitching worldwide Chrissie Rayment, Managing Director of Bothy Threads Ltd talks to Craft Focus about their ever-expanding company For those that are new to the scene, tell us a little backstory about Bothy Threads. In 1993, Kate Golby, who has always loved stitching, ran out of kits she wanted to stitch and so decided to create her own. She started working in the bothy at the bottom of her parents’ garden - a rather cold and damp gardener’s cottage – and hence Bothy Threads was born! Kate set off with classic designs in surface embroidery but back then everyone was avidly cross stitching, so she focused on the bright and colourful cross stitch designs that Bothy Threads is known for today. The company has evolved over time – what are the main changes? Bothy Threads now brings many more styles to the market, including cross stitch, tapestry, long stitch, and embroidery kits for stitching fans across the globe. The business operates from a busy and bustling unit on the edge of the Lake District, with 20 Bothy elves crafting away every day. You’ve recently introduced children’s kits. What was the reason behind this? As one of the UK’s leading cross stitch manufacturers, we have decided to address a very important gap in the market… kids cross stitch kits! We wanted to create a mindful activity for children, to develop their motor skills, creativity, and encourage time away from screens. Using fabulous artwork from Kate Hadfield, we have a range of designs in bright, bold colours, from monsters to monkeys, fairytales to brave knights, and of course a trip to the circus! Talk us through the current themes or designs you’re particularly excited about. Do you have a favourite? I couldn’t possible choose just one… Sally King’s imaginative Shoe Art, Wrendale Designs’ beautiful water colours, Rachel Froud’s colourful Menagerie… there are just too many! We aim to make kits that allow people to create their own artwork at home; we know that different people have very different tastes, so we hope to be able to provide something for everyone. What designs are currently very popular? We launched our partnership with Lucy Pittaway in 2023 and the designs have been flying off the shelves ever since. Lucy’s fabulous pastel artwork translates beautifully into cross stitch designs and
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