Weaving is present in nearly every culture across the globe. It encompasses math, biology, material physics, structural engineering, design, and language learning. The act of weaving builds neural pathways and increases attention, memory, and clarity of thought. When practiced socially, feelings of belonging increase while anxiety and stress levels decrease.
Stitch x Stich was developed in 2025 in partnership with educators and healthcare providers to improve wellbeing and engagement across our community. We provide educators, health care providers, and social workers with month-long access to SAORI weaving, an intuitive style that is broadly inclusive of unique physical and cognitive abilities.
The process is designed to be simple!
Step 1: Apply to the program using this form: https://forms.gle/2tXhT3ngbzVCQWYB7
Step 2: Once we review your application and confirm that you qualify, we will share a link to the loom reservation page.
Step 3: Choose a reservation time from the options on the loom reservation page. As part of your reservation, you’ll choose to either pick up the loom or have it delivered.
Step 4: A week before your reservation, we’ll reach out to confirm your reservation and pick-up/ delivery details. We’ll also send a link to support materials that cover how to loom use and answers to common questions.
Step 5: It’s time to pick-up or receive your kit! When you pick up your loom or have it delivered, we’ll show you how to set up and use the loom. We’ll also provide you with all of the additional supplies you’ll need to make the most of your lending period.
Step 6: For three weeks, you can utilize the loom in your classroom, clinic, or worksite in a way that best supports student, client, and patient wellbeing. We’ve included some helpful ideas below!
Step 7: One week before your lending period ends, we will reach out to schedule a drop-off or pick-up time.
Step 8: At the end of your lending period, gather the loom and supplies and return it to us or stage it for pick-up.
No! This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a Flexible Support grant from the Metropolitan Regional Arts Council, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund. The Flexible Support grant enables us to offer this program within the seven-county Twin Cities metro area at no cost to participants.
Your Stitch x Stitch kit includes all of the materials and tools you’ll need, including scissors and yarns in a variety of colors and textures.
We have two types of looms:
SAORI CH60A-2
This loom is wheelchair accessible and height adjustable and can be modified to support people with limited dexterity and limb mobility.
Loom Dimensions
Width: 26″
Depth: 24″ unfolded and 9″ when folded
Height: 38″-43.5″
Weight: 39lb
SAORI SX60
This loom folds for easy storage. It’s ideal for those with space limitations who do not require a loom that is wheelchair accessible.
Loom Dimensions
Width: 28″
Depth: 27″ unfolded and 9″ when folded
Height: 39″ unfolded and 42″ when folded
Weight: 32lb
We welcome educators, healthcare professionals, and social workers within the 7-county Twin Cities metro region who can utilize weaving in their work with students, patients, and clients to apply.
Recognizing the impact of income inequality on community wellbeing, we prioritize those located in or serving communities at or below 80% of the area median income. This includes Title 1 schools.
SAORI looms are designed to be broadly accessible. They are simple and intuitive to use, allowing people to jump in quickly. There are no rules with this form of weaving. Weavers are invited to choose colors and yarns intuitively.
We provide a small library of how-to videos and written materials as part of our lending program. Materials are available in other formats by request.
Here are some ideas for using the looms to support wellbeing:
- Weaving engages the body in an alternating left-right (bilateral) movement. This has been shown to build neural pathways and increase attention, memory, and clarity of thought. As clients, patients, or students experience stress, inattention, or difficulty processing, you can encourage them to weave for 5-10 minutes.
- Make the loom available to students for weaving on recess or during breaks. In addition to the benefits listed above, weaving can boost energy levels and help students process.
- When weaving is practiced socially, participants have reported feeling a greater sense of belonging and lower levels of stress and anxiety. For those working with groups, participants can weave collectively. The finished piece(s) can then be displayed as a celebration of everyone’s hands working together. The piece(s) can also be cut into smaller pieces and exchanged.
- Have participants draw or write in response to a prompt on a colorful piece of paper (e.g. hopes for the future, their brightest memory, a wish for someone they love). Depending on the size of the paper, they can tear it into strips or roll it into a coil and weave the strips or coil into the loom.
- The woven cloth can be cut into smaller pieces and added to cards. Simply take a piece of large cardstock, fold it in half, glue a portion of cloth to the front of the card. Then, participants can write cards to someone they love. This activity supports wellbeing by combining the benefits of weaving with the benefits of connecting with our loved ones.
This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Metropolitan Regional Arts Council, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.
