2025 Finalists - Bothy Threads

We’re thrilled to introduce another incredible finalist in this year’s Gift of the Year Awards. Bothy Threads has captured our judges attention with their Sycamore Gap Counted Cross Stitch Kit, which is proudly competing in the Heritage Gifts incorporating Commemorative, Collectable and Charitable category. Known for their craftsmanship, sustainability, and passion for storytelling through stitching, Bothy Threads brings a beloved British landmark to life in a way that’s both creative and meaningful.

Product in the Finals: Sycamore Gap Counted Cross Stitch Kit

Congratulations on being a finalist! How does it feel to be recognised in this year’s Gift of the Year awards?

The whole team at Bothy Threads are very excited to be recognised in this year's Gift of the Year awards, particularly with a design that has had such an impact on us all this year. Although our cross stitch, tapestry and embroidery kits have always been given as gifts, this is our first venture into the gift market specifically. We are excited to introduce a new group of shoppers to the wonderful world of stitching.

Can you tell us a little about your brand and the inspiration behind your successful product?

We are the largest cross stitch manufacturer in the UK and are well known for our exceptional quality, user friendly products, and excellent customer service. Our business ethos is ‘The Home Of Happy Stitching’ as we aim to make cross stitch fun and accessible for all ages and abilities.

The Sycamore Gap counted cross stitch kit has made it into the final of the Heritage, Commemorative and Collectable Gifts category. When Lucy Pittaway created this stunning commemorative piece, we knew that people would want to stitch it too.

The artwork immortalises this beautiful tree in all its glory beneath starry skies and the Northern Lights, with the trademark Herdwick sheep watching on. Our loyal fan base of stitchers have been stitching the kit as a commemorative keepsake or to gift to loved ones.

We hope that this stunning design will inspire hope within their hearts and allow everyone to look forward to the growth of the sycamore saplings.

What makes your product special, and why do you think it stood out to the judges?

Allowing ourselves time away from screens and computers to complete a fulfilling task like creating our own artwork is a valuable, rewarding activity. We see stitching as a calming and mindful activity, and having the opportunity to gift that to someone is a valuable thing. At Bothy Threads we do all of this whilst reducing our impact on the world, with our quest to become free from single use plastic. Our kits are all packed by hand by an all-female team of hardworking, crafty individuals on the edge of the Lake District (check out the photo of the team on our latest fundraising efforts).

The felling of the tree at Sycamore Gap in Northumberland, captured the hearts of people all over the world, including the whole team here. We believe that our kits stood out within the Heritage, Commemorative and Collectable Gifts category because of this touching story, alongside our sustainability policies.

Who is your product designed for, and what kind of reaction have you had from customers so far?

The Sycamore Gap counted cross stitch kit was designed for all cross-stitch fans, especially those who love nature and landscapes. It quickly became one of our fastest selling counted cross stitch kits of all time, and our best-selling kit of 2024!

Our customers have loved the kit since day one; some have personalised the design to reflect themselves at the bottom of the tree, some have added sparkly thread to the design to enhance the night sky, and many have stitched the design and gifted it to a loved one who holds the Sycamore Gap in a special place in their heart.

What trends or themes do you think are shaping the gifting industry right now?

In our experience, sustainable and ethical gifts are key themes shaping the gift industry currently, it’s important that our kits have minimal impact on the environment, and that we do everything we can to allow customers to dispose of items safety and responsibly.

Our customers are increasingly looking for items that will allow the recipient to experience something new, whether that’s a new design or learning a new skill. And value for money is also a big factor; buying a gift that will keep someone stitching for hours on end is always a bonus!

How has being shortlisted, and now being a finalist impacted your brand so far, and what do you hope to achieve from the awards?

Being shortlisted has created a wider awareness of our brand; we already have a grasp on the arts and crafts market, but to be introduced into the gift market in this prestigious way is a huge accolade. We have already made some connections with new artists who we hope to welcome into the Bothy Threads family soon.

What exciting plans do you have for the future?

2025 is proving to be another busy year at Bothy Threads; in March, we opened our first onsite outlet shop, for stitchers to come and talk to the experts and look at the stitched models of some of our many designs.

In April, we welcomed back Gorjuss by Santoro, as this year marks the 15th anniversary of the first Bothy Threads and Gorjuss partnership - what better way to celebrate than a new collaboration with eight brand new designs? And there are more new licensed artists joining the Bothy Threads portfolio… including a huge UK icon!

Finally, following the success of Sycamore Gap, we can’t wait to bring the Tree Of Hope to our customers. This is the latest artwork from Lucy Pittaway, depicting the saplings growing in place of the sycamore tree that is gone but not forgotten.

What’s the best gift you’ve ever received (or given), and why?

Wow… what a question! We love anything commemorative. Within the team there will always be at least one of us stitching a personalised birth announcement, wedding sampler, or a new house card! They make the perfect thoughtful and heartfelt gift for a loved one to remember their special day.

Bothy Threads’ beautiful tribute to the Sycamore Gap not only showcases the artistry behind cross stitch but also captures a poignant moment in time. Their heartfelt approach to crafting memorable gifts clearly resonated with judges and customers alike. We can’t wait to see what’s next for this talented team, and in the meantime, we’re cheering them on for Gift of the Year 2025.

Learn more about Bothy Threads on their website, and explore their product in the GOTY final.