Emily Hooyer – Creator of KindredStitch

Hello and welcome! I’m Emily—licensed clinical mental health therapist, lifelong Alaskan, mother to a spirited little boy, and passionate maker. My crafting journey began over twenty years ago with knitting, followed by crochet a few years later, and most recently, a rediscovery of cross stitch that feels like coming full circle.

When I was ten, my mother lovingly introduced me to cross stitch. At the time, I found the process tedious and slow—but today, that slowness is exactly what I treasure most. There's something sacred about the quiet rhythm of the needle, the sound of thread gliding through fabric, and the meditative space it creates. What once felt monotonous now feels like magic.

I still knit and crochet often—creating cozy, useful garments for the people I love (and, let’s be honest, keeping my post-apocalyptic survival skills sharp!). But cross stitch has become my favorite form of personal expression. Through it, I create artwork that brings beauty, meaning, and softness into my space.

When I’m not stitching, I’m soaking up Alaskan summers camping and foraging, or savoring winters by the fire under a mound of blankets with my family, each of us immersed in our favorite pastimes. No matter the season, not a day goes by without a bit of thread or yarn running through my fingers.

KindredStitch is my love letter to slow making, creative connection, and the beautiful stories we stitch into our lives—one thoughtful thread at a time.