About Us

Mary-Katherine

Radish Root 1

My stitching journey began when I was about nine or ten, when I made my grandmother a tiny stitched tree on 13-mesh—my own little design, wobbly stitches and all. I didn’t pick up a needle again until a long summer in bed with pneumonia, working on a Bucilla pink elephant kit that never quite made it to the finish line. When I was sixteen, I finally completed an embroidered sampler I’d started at ten. It hangs in our shop restroom today as a loving tribute to “How Not to Stitch Letters.”

At Radish Roots, I’m the Big Sister, Root 1, and happily Large in Charge—always dreaming up ways to make things fun. I spent 17 years living overseas, loading up on projects each summer when I came home. With no classes nearby, I became entirely self-taught through books, stitch chats with my beloved Zoom crew (the Roots and @notorious.MLD), and a whole lot of Instagram inspiration. I’m not a perfectionist; for me, needlepoint is about being in the moment with canvas, color, needle, and thread. But yes… I’ll rip when I must!

Radish Roots came to life when Ruth from Stitchers Paradise asked if I wanted to buy her shop. I said “maybe” (my life was a bit of a circus), but I took the leap—and I’m so grateful I did. It’s become a true family endeavor.

We hope you feel the same joy we do in gathering with stitching friends, sharing this beautiful craft, and making memories that become heirlooms. Our mother—the original Radish—is surely rejoicing, knowing her girls are still stitching side-by-side, even if not always perfectly!

Margaret

Radish Root 2

Our mother, the Radish, fostered in me a love for textile arts. I’ve gone through many craft phases, many times – needlepoint, knitting, sewing, quilting & more. Needlepoint, however, has always been the common denominator amongst the sisters.

I enjoy few things more than a stitch session with my sisters and friends to connect. Still, I also enjoy the relaxing relief of stitching solo when I’m tired or stressed, often listening to an audiobook or watching anything sports-related in the background. When I was young, and money was tight, I stitched patterns from books and loved that challenge; now that I have more discretionary income, I love supporting artists who transfer their creations straight to canvas. I’m a minimalist when it comes to stitching, but I love learning, so I embrace trying new stitches. Primarily, I choose what to stitch according to my mood and location – tired and stressed? Basketweave and/or 13-count projects. Focused and alert? A few decorative stitches and 18 count. Traveling? Small projects only. At home? Anything is game. I usually have three to four projects going at one time.

Just over a year ago, I manifested a move to Florida, where I currently live with my husband, splitting time between Palm Coast and Gainesville (Go Gators!). We have two adult sons, both living in California, and of course, shop dog Fiona, a mischievous Goldendoodle.

Radish Roots is my happy place, and you will often find me there on Fridays and Saturdays, surrounded by family and friends.

Meredith

Radish Root 3

I like to take credit for starting the needlepoint craze amongst the sisters. I started needlepointing in 1991 because my two older sisters (Root 1 & Root 2) were getting married, only 4 months apart. As a college student, I didn’t have a robust wedding-present budget – even for my sisters. A thrifty gal, I decided to needlepoint them their wedding gifts – a rose pillow for one and a bow brick cover for the other. These were the days of counting needlepoint and good eyesight. I was also in a sorority, and needlepointing was a great way to pass the time during painful weekly meetings.

After these two projects, I took a long break – but admired my sisters’ needlepoint projects all along.

I picked needlepoint back up during the COVID debacle when Root 2 gifted me a large ladybug canvas. Needlepoint became the perfect activity to soothe my brain and an opportunity for lots of Stitch Zooms with friends near and far.

These days, I can be found under a great light and magnifier, working through my stash of 18-count canvases so I can spend my remaining days on 13 mesh projects. I delight in basketweave.

I live in Palm Coast, Florida. If we’re lucky, we will see each other at the shop.