Knit one, purl two and Feel Better
I love yarn. Put me in a store with a yard department and I’ll walk out with at least two skeins – the magic number for a small project. To me it’s therapeutic and according to an article I came across this weekend I’m not the only one who feels that way.
The British Journal of Occupational Therapy studied more than 3500 knitters. 81% of the respondents who had a diagnosis of depression reported feeling happier after knitting ! That is an amazing figure. Who knew a little yarn and some needles or crochet hooks and you can sooth your body and mend your mind.
Actually anecdotal evidence has been available for decades but now an actually scientific study proves it out. The benefits people are reporting are numerous. The top 10 are listed below.
- Needlework, knitting and crocheting increases the release of serotonin, a natural anti-depressant, in the body, by its repetition. Relief from depression is the most widely reported benefit.
- Yarncrafts help reduce anxiety. These activities help keep your hands busy and your mind focused, especially if you have social anxiety. It calms the internal mind and leaves little room for anxiety producing thoughts.
- Crafting helps build self-esteem by adding new skills, giving you a new way to be productive, and creating beauty through self-expression.
- Knitting and crocheting has been shown to postpone age-related memory loss by being neuro-productive – helping build new neural pathways by learning something new and repeating it. In one study by a neuropsychiatrist at the Mayo Clinic it was shone to reduce dementia in some patients by 50 %!.
- Yarncraft to the rescue for insomniacs. By focusing on the soothing easy, repetitive crochet or knitting patterns your mind winds down enough to get to sleep. A professor, Herbert Benson of the Mind/Body/Medical Institute found that 100% of his insomnia patients reported improved sleep with 90 % being able to actually eliminate the need for sleep medication.
- Knitting and crocheting are positive outlets that help keep your mood balanced and diminish feelings of irritability and restlessness.
- Crafting as a Prayer – these crafts can be used as part of your prayer/meditation process. Some people knit prayer shawls or lap blankets to give to elderly parishioners or nursing home residents.
- Knitting and crocheting helps build a community of like minded people for you. There are locate knitting and crocheting groups. You can link up with others who are into these crafts at the local yarn stores or on-line craft communities. I learned to crochet from an aunt as a young girl. It can be a connection between generations.
- Crafting can help with Grief Processing. During periods of deep grief it can seem impossible that you will ever be able to function again. Knitting and crocheting takes little effort and is an activity that can help take your mind off your pain. The textures, colors and warmth of the yarn and item you are working on also give comfort.
- Yarncrafting is a stress-buster. Stress is one of the leading health problems in our society today. 15 minutes with knitting needles or a crochet hook and some yarn can help relax you after a hectic day or DURING a hectic day. Use these crafts as a way to minimize stress in your life. Small projects are portable and can be done while riding in a car or on a bus, tucked away in your bag to work on in spare minutes. The rhythmic motion of knitting or crocheting or even cross stitching can relieve your mind of stress and relax your body as you settle into the creation of the pattern.
Don’t know how to do needlework, knitting, crocheting? No problem. Start small. Get the pattern for something that can be completed with one type of stitch in an hour and one ball of yarn. Craft stores such as Michael’s and Jo-Ann Fabrics have classes. There are numerous instruction books with step by step instructions. Ask an older relative who may know one of these crafts. Get on line and see if there is a knitting group in your area. It’s fun, it’s inexpensive and it can furnish numerous health benefits. I remember years ago Rosie Greer, an enormous Green Bay Packer’s lineman took up needlepoint. This was reported in all the newspapers. It was an incongruous thought – this big manly man doing the delicate work of needlecraft but 1) it helps develop hand-eye coordination and small muscle movements 2) its relaxing 3) who is going to tell him he can’t !
Some resources to whet your appetite :Lionbrand yarns.com
Crocheting Saved my Life – Kathryn Vercillo
Stitchlinks.com
I’m all for easy ways to improve our health. This is an easy way with many benefits. If you are new to needlecraft I will send the first 3 respondents to this blog a skein of yarn and their choice of knitting needles or a crochet hook. Just send me your name and address and tell me why you would like to try yarn craft.
Think about it.