Hello, I’m Susan Penny.
Needle and thread have been part of my life for as long as I can remember. From hand-stitching clothes for my dolls as a child, to editing and designing for some of the UK’s most loved craft magazines, my life has always been shaped by creativity.
Together with my husband, Martin, I co-founded Needlecraft, CrossStitcher, and Cross Stitch Collection magazines — and over the years, I’ve written and edited more than 50 books on stitching, knitting, and craft design.
In 2016, we launched Willow Fabrics, now one of the UK’s leading homes for cross-stitch kits, threads, and haberdashery supplies. My work today blends writing, designing, and inspiring others — whether through projects in CrossStitcher, blog posts on Willow Fabrics, or downloadable patterns I share here on my own site.
Craft has never been just my profession — it’s my joy.
My Crafting World
I love to create, to teach, and to pass on the timeless traditions of hand-stitch. My work includes:
- ✂️ Editorial Projects – Founding editor of CrossStitcher and Cross Stitch Collection, contributor to major craft publications.
- 📖 Books – Author/editor of more than 50 books on needlecraft, knitting, and creative living.
- 🧵 Designs & Kits – From classic alphabets to whimsical motifs, I design projects that are fun, accessible, and beautiful.
- 🪡 Blog & Tutorials – Sharing stories, step-by-step projects, and inspiration for stitchers of every level.
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