Hand-stitched Kenyan heritage art
Crafting stories, restoring dignity.
Cross Stitch International is a social enterprise that trains women, men, youth, persons living with disabilities and people in recovery in cross stitch and indigenous crafts, then brings their handmade work to homes, offices and institutions.
Our impact in numbers
- 1,200+individuals trained
- 7,000+lives impacted
- 28+institutions supported
- USD 1.8M+paid to artisans
Who we are
Every stitch is part of a larger story
Founded in 2016, Cross Stitch International empowers vulnerable communities through craftsmanship, restores dignity and creates sustainable livelihoods.
Through structured training in cross-stitch embroidery and other indigenous crafts, participants gain practical skills for income, confidence and social reintegration. Creativity, mentorship and market access carry that work from the training room to the wall.
Each piece created is not just artwork: it is a story of resilience, healing and transformation.About Cross Stitch International
From the collections
One of one, made by hand
Each piece is hand-stitched by an artisan trained through our programmes, professionally framed and ready to hang. Once acquired, it is not made again.
Our process
From blueprint to frame
Every piece passes through the same five stages. Depending on size and complexity, one work takes from two weeks to six months.
Image and blueprint
An image is selected and converted into a coded blueprint: a chart that gives every square of the design its colour.
Guided stitching
Working from the blueprint, the artisan matches each code to its colour-coded thread.
Hand stitching
Trained artisans stitch the piece square by square and row by row, keeping the tension even across thousands of crosses.
Washing and finishing
The finished fabric is washed and prepared so that the work lies smooth and square.
Professional framing
Framing preserves the textile and presents it as a finished work, ready to hang.
Who we work with
Skills, structure and a way to earn
We promote gender equality and inclusive participation in every programme. Participants gain skills that lead to income, confidence and a way back into community life.
- Women
- Men
- Youth
- Persons living with disabilities
- Individuals recovering from drug and substance abuse
Made to order
Seven families of design
Beyond the pieces in stock, you can commission from our frames catalogue, from nursery art to sailing boats.
Every stitch creates opportunity. Every craft restores dignity. Every purchase transforms a life.
Make an enquiry