How Cross Stitching Can Save Lives

Carakana is a social enterprise which facilitates the transfer and preservation of indigenous skills and cross stitching. This is achieved through the production of quality handmade items for sustainable livelihoods and wellbeing of vulnerable groups. This story outlines the role cross stitch has played in the lives of five incarcerated women

Cross stitch is a form of sewing and a popular form of counted-thread embroidery in which a stitch is made by crossing two threads in the form of an X. The stitches are of uniform size and appearance and form part of  intricately and skillfully produced sewn images or texts.

Creating this work was an important step towards rehabilitation and transformation for each of the women involved. 

This highly detailed and beautifully made work was produced by five incarcerated women who have been taught cross stitching as part of the Carakana initiative.

The story of this work continues below where we meet the creators and hear their first-hand accounts of how cross stitching has helped them.

As part of an interview, the creators of this work talk about their involvement at Carakana. Some claimed stitching had become an addiction for them while others just wanted to be out of their minds for a while via cross stitching.

Christine, a 32-year-old serving life in prison,  spoke about how cross stitch helped her with the continued positive renewal of her mind.

“I am the first born at home among four siblings and I gave birth to my only child while in high school. I am the breadwinner at home and with my earnings from cross stitching I am able to take care of family.''

''Working with a large team was good for my spirits. We got to bond, share and advise each other and this encouraged me to work hard at having good, beneficial friendships while in here. In the three weeks it took us to complete this piece, I was less stressed and was able to focus on schoolwork.’’

From the stories above we can see not only the positive effects of cross stitching but also the determination  these incarcerated women have to better themselves. It is apt then that the work they have chosen to create depicts a cheetah. The cheetah is a symbol of strength, resilience and perseverance, much like the women of Carakana.