I found this kind of a cool article on treehugger awhile back about the health benefits of knitting. Yep, you read that right: health benefits of knitting. I know it sounds crazy to knit, but stick with me. At first, I was kind of thinking it felt pretty pointless because you can pretty much buy anything {for cheap} these days, so what’s the point of actually taking the time to make something?
BUT, the article claims that knitting helps reduce stress and anxiety by helping you to relax with repetitive motions. It allows you to disconnect from a technologically crammed world–which let’s face it, we could all use a bit more of that. Knitting gives you a hobby {which reduces the risk of dementia I might add}, and allows you to actually be alone with your thoughts, without being idle with your hands and body–in a way, it’s like going into a meditative state without having to have all of the pillows and incense. It improves concentration and allows you {if you choose} to connect with other people via knitting clubs/circles or just by giving the gift of your finished product.
I’ve recently taken up rug hooking again and I’m loving it. It’s been a loooong time since I’ve actually carved 30 – 60 minutes out of my day just to sit still and make something. The crazy part is that I don’t really think while I am doing it, I concentrate on the project, and that time away from my problems/thoughts/worries {Like in What About Bob–“I’m taking a vacation from my problems!” I love that movie…but I digress} somehow provides me clarity. I actually get a sense of peace {which is probably my body destressing} when I am done, so I totally think the author might have been onto something. {The same thing happens when I am in my garden.}
What do you think, should we all forget the therapist and green smoothies and pick up some knitting needles?
~Mavis
Teckla Buller says
Totally, yes! Knitting, for me, is VERY therapeutic. It helps in many ways: first, I’m diagnosed with an OCD disorder and the repetitive motion of knitting keeps me focused away from less healthy activity. It’s relaxing to just sit and knit without thinking about “stuff.” It’s a wonderful, creative outlet that allows me to make things for myself, for others, for gifts and for sale in local craft fairs, etc. I could go on, but you get the point. It doesn’t have to knitting–do the thing you enjoy and be happy and proud!
RebekahU says
I LOVE LOVE LOVE the honey bee latched rug pictured in this article. Did you make that? Is it from a kit? I am a beekeeper, and LOVE all things bees (and pollinators in general), and would love to try to make that rug! Any information you could provide would be awesome! Thanks! Love your blog!
Rebekah
Mavis Butterfield says
Yes I made it. 🙂 I will send you an email. 🙂
Amy E says
I like to think of it as a type of meditation where you get a souvenir at the end. 🙂
Marcia@Frugal Healthy Simple says
I learned about the meditative effects of knitting and crocheting at a women’s retreat last fall. I am really bad at meditation, unless I am doing yoga. But I do crochet! And knit a little. So last fall I tried to sit several days a week and knit/crochet.
Have let that lapse a bit. Need to get back at it.
Mavis Butterfield says
I am horrible at yoga and meditating BUT for some strange reason I can sit for hours on end and rug hook. Weird I know. Glad to know I’m not the only one. 🙂
Linda says
yes… i love to knit, and just found an old needlepoint that needs to be finished. I started to work on it and it is very relaxing too… I love your finished Bee Rug!!!!
Tiffany says
That’s why I started sewing.
Sharon says
Knitting is such a wonderful way to relax. And counter-intuitively, the trickier and harder the piece you working working on, the better it is at improving your mood. You have to concentrate on your knitting and you lose track of what was bothering you.
Judy says
I love knitting!!! I moved to a new state last year..and now I have new friends that I met in a FREE knitting class at the library..I always wanted to learn to knit. Once a week I meet with a room of other ladies..mostly experienced, seasoned ones. But I have learned Waaaay more then knitting..I have learned of life once upon a time when there was no technology, women stayed home, ran the farm, and knitted for necessity, not hobby..those women have taught me another way of life…a selfless way of life..when neighbors were family…
This class keeps me going in the drab winters when I can’t garden anymore.
Becka says
Creating things is theraputic. Here is a link to an article from a past issue of Ladies’ Home Journal about the benefits of creative activity: http://www.lhj.com/health/stress/mood-boosters/want-to-be-happier/
E says
Knitting is my sanity holder during the winter, when I can no longer get into the garden. During the summer, because I’m still re-landscaping our yard, my hands are far too rough to knit. But once November comes, my needles come out and I’m busy with them. Am self taught, so my style usually gets the “pros” staring at me, as it is a combination of the American and European style. Specialize in making Norwegian style wool hats. Give me 3 different colors [or more] and my home made pattern book, and I’m ready to roll. My husband underwent cardiac catherization yesterday. Of course brought my knitting along. Finished one hat, and started another during all the waiting. Yea knitting!!! Did stop when the Doc was talking to us though…
Cheryl says
I just taught myself to crochet and although I’m not to the point that I can do it seamlessly, I do enjoy the break from everything while I’m working on it.
Diana says
Totally agree about the relaxing effect of knitting and crocheting. I only do it in the winter months, because during hot weather, my hands sweat too much. But Sunday nights, knitting and watching Downton Abbey were some of the most wonderful, relaxed moments of these past few winters. On other nights, and now that Downton is over for the season, I get my occasional knit/crochet fix while watching a movie or a Kansas team dominating someone in a basketball game. Mwahahah. (Go Shockers, Jayhawks and Wildcats!) . It helps to have something like knitting to occupy my hands when the games get intense. Knitting also helps me feel close to my grandma, who taught me to knit when I was a little girl.
Kaia says
Knitting for the win! Keep the green smoothies though.. or maybe a cup of tea 🙂
WendyinCA says
I love to knit. It really relaxes me and yet I’m productive at the same time. I highly recommend it! BTW, love that bee rug you made! Awesome possum!
Emily says
Knitting is very relaxing for me. It allows me to take some time off for myself without feeling unproductive. For a while in college I stopped to focus more time on studying, and I found I had to pick it back up come final exam time to avoid getting too stressed out. The social connection can’t be underestimated either. Some of my best friends in college and when I moved to a new town have been the women, and occasional man, in my knitting group. You really can’t beat setting aside a few hours each week to get together, chat, and craft.
Nichole says
I just decided to try it last weekend. Watched a YouTube and off I went! My BF teases me that I am addicted now.
Jean Coppers says
I bead (earrings, necklaces, bracelets, etc.) and it surely DOES destress/relax me & makes me feel like I’m creative. I can get lost in what I’m making & all the worries & problems disappear – even if just for a while. Sometimes I just “organize” my beads & touching the diferent surfaces, textures & sizes is very comforting & relaxing too … I’ve talked to other beaders & they have the same experience with their beads. Thanks for sharing & I just found your website & think its great – Living Simply is such a blessing!
Stacey says
I have been crocheting since my great-grandmother got me started when I was six years old. I did a little knitting, but just simple small projects. My daughter and I took a class on making felted mittens and found they were the warmest we had ever worn. I recently finished a knitted tote bag for my daughter with cables and feel very proud to have learned to do something “fancier” with it on my own. Crafting in general is therapeutic. It provides an outlet for creativity and helps satisfy our need for beauty. I love finishing a project and thinking that it used to be just a long piece of yarn that was only good for getting tangled up when kitty got ahold of it.
Shirley says
One of the first things I thought to do when I heard that I had 20 weeks of chemotherapy coming for my breast cancer diagnosis was to start a knitting project…..so I’m knitting a blanket to give my son when he moves out for college in the fall!
Mavis Butterfield says
He will love it I’m sure and it will help to keep you busy during chemo. Stay strong!