How Knitting Can Be Therapeutic

Had you asked me a few years ago, I never would have thought about how therapeutic knitting can be.  It is certainly a wonderful tool for keeping us in the present moment, and in so doing, it even eases stress, depression, and can soothe chronic pain.  The effects of knitting, and many other crafts, are not that far off from the positive and healing effects of meditation.

If you are a knitter already, then you certainly don’t need me here telling you why it can be so good for you!  But if you are someone who has been considering giving it a try, and are still on the fence about it, let’s explore some of the benefits a bit further:

Knitting Greatly Benefits Your Overall Health

Knitting keeps your hands busy and gives them something creative to do.  If you have an unhealthy habit that you are trying to kick to the curb, then knitting is a fabulous way to help you do this.  If over-snacking is something with which you are plagued, then knitting can definitely keep your mind and hands creatively occupied for long periods of time.

Many smokers have found that by occupying their fingers with some crafty needles and yarn, they have been able to release the habit.  Along with kicking any habit, there can come tension and nervousness.  Would you believe, knitting can actually assist with this by helping to lower your heart rate?  So it can help with your cardiovascular health as well.

Knitting Can Increase Your Emotional Well-Being

If you are struggling with something emotionally or are feeling generally ‘under fire’ or over-reactive on any particular day, just pick up some knitting needles.  The rhythmic motion of the hands in creative activity can do wonders to soothe the mind and emotions.

You can even take that a step further, and transfer your emotions into the creation of something beautiful – for yourself, or as a gift for another.  Positive feelings will find their voice in your knitting as well.  Have you ever been on the receiving end of a knitted or crafted gift, and felt the love and uniqueness in it?  It’s a beautiful way to share.

Many knitters carry their work with them in a knitting bag so that they can easily dive into their crafting whenever they feel the need.  This is an excellent therapy for anyone who tends to get impatient with long waits.  Getting frustrated that your doctor appointment has gone well past the time you had scheduled it for?  Just pull out your knitting bag, and get to it!

Time will fly, and by the time you find yourself in the office you will have forgotten your frustration and maybe even have a bounce in your step as you walk in!  Who knows, wait times may even become opportunities you look forward to for getting your project finished.

Knitting Enhances Your Mental Well-Being

When you are initially learning to knit, a whole lot of concentration is required.  However, once you really get the hang of it, and really get into it, it has an incredibly meditative effect.  As your hands move together in a rhythmic way, you may find your breathing following suit, becoming regular and slow.

The activity of knitting focuses your mind just enough to distract it from your troubles and anxieties, but your mind will still wander … I find knitting a great time to come to terms with things that have been weighing on my mind, and help me reach new conclusions on how to manage things in my life that I may be struggling with.

I knit my very first scarf last winter, as a gift for my mom.  My initial kick off into it was finding a book in our local book store called Stitch ‘n Bitch.  (Of course, it was the title that initially caught my eye!)  And there is now a whole line of these books that are super popular.  For those of you who are drawn to try your hand at crochet, there is always The Happy Hooker!

There was a part of me yearning to try something new-to-me as a creative endeavor – something grounding, calming, and time honored.  I would have a couple of my neighbors over as well, and I found this a great way to connect with them and get to know them better.

It sort of reminded me of the movie An American Quilt, where Winona Ryder’s character uncovers the beauty and depth of healing and storytelling in the fine art of quilt making.  If you haven’t yet seen it, I highly recommend watching it for a girls’ night gathering!  Crafting can be such a fabulous tool for community building.  And of course, at the end of your crafting project you will have…

You Will Have Something Awesome to Show for It

Knitting leaves you with a useful and beautiful item. You can keep it for yourself as a reminder of your accomplishment, or you can give it away as a gift to a friend or family member.  Really, who doesn’t love a home-made sweater, hat, scarf, or pair of socks?

Even knitting something as simple as a square dishcloth or towel is something that would be met with appreciation.  It would be my goal to someday learn from the knitting masters of the Aran Islands, and create an Aran sweater.  Perhaps over ambitious for now, but a girl can always dream!