From Fiction to Video Games: Contemporary Needle Arts Across Genres

Abstract

The objective of this study is to examine a limited Anglophone corpus that demonstrates how needle arts, long present in literary tradition, are still present in Anglophone literature of the 21st century, but also in other genres, such as workbooks and interactive media experiences. Firstly, the tradition of the stitching protagonist and the transfer of this archetype onto the mainstream craft and hobby fiction genre will be discussed. The presence of needle arts in contemporary fiction demonstrates how the craft becomes intertwined with the plot, working as a narrative strategy, moving beyond just its function of décor or setting. From there, the distinction between the presence of needle arts in fiction genre and the DIY genre may be analysed, the latter also claiming a portion of the market as demonstrated by the popularity of 21st century workbooks, which weave sassy commentary with patterns, going beyond traditional grid manuals. A final aspect of the analysis will examine why and how needle art has been used for the multimedia adventure game experience of Cross Stitch Casper. The presence of needle arts across genres confirms the place of these crafts in contemporary society while demonstrating how the techniques, expressions, and objectives have been updated to correspond to 21st century social contexts.