Knitting

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Knitting Heralded as Help for Anxiety

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kntiting anxiety depressionIt seems like every few months there’s an article that gets a lot of notice about how great knitting and other crafts are for people’s health.

The latest one is from CNN. “This is your brain on knitting” opens by talking about a woman who used knitting to help with anxiety after her brother died, and goes on to talk about how knitting and other crafts can be as helpful as meditation in calming the mind and providing benefits to the brain.

In fact, crafts that offer a challenge — and there’s always more to learn when it comes to knitting — are even thought to slow cognitive decline that happens as we age. And when you spend your time in an enjoyable pursuit — which we certainly hope knitting is for you — it activates pleasure and reward centers in the brain that can calm bad moods and even lessen symptoms of depression. Which any knitter knows who has run to her needles to prevent an outburst at spouse or child.

If you have stories about how knitting has helped you, I’d love to hear them!

[Photo via CNN.]

Comments

  1. I learned to knit after I had been in the hospital for a rather serious health issue. I was afraid to drive a lot of places but I could drive from where I live to my home town (14 miles away). This is where my parents live and there was a local yarn store there. My mother set me up with lessons. It helped me through this issue and through the health situations of other family members (serious ones too). It helped me when I had surgeries a few years ago and when I was home I was not allowed to drive for a few weeks. I kept myself busy and sane by knitting. It helps now too when I am anxious and worried. It is my Tension tamer or relaxation technique.

  2. I struggle with depression, and the repetitive meditative act of knitting is very soothing, with the bonus of the feeling of having done something when I finish a project!

  3. While knitting has helped me cope better with my depression and has given me an outlet instead of following through with triggers, it has not cured my depression or anxiety. I wish it was the case.

  4. Crocheting calms my nerves. My knitting is not very good. Maybe I need a lesson. I think both have the same quality to calm us.

  5. I picked up knitting when my grandfather was diagnosed with cancer. It gave me something to do besides worry about him. I continued knitting when my son’s had to begin therapy for sensory issues and such. It helped take my mind off of things and gave me something to do amongst all the office visits. I continue knitting because it calms me. As I am knitting a gift or donation item, I think about the person I am knitting it for and wish for their happiness and health. When I’m done with the gift, a long prayer has been said for them and I feel happiness giving away such a gift, a little wish of love.

  6. I have chronic pain, among other health issues, and it really helps take my mind off of it! It’s extremely calming to me, and friends love my creations…

Have you read?

Free Knitted Crown Pattern for Kids and Adults: A Sweet Handmade Dress-Up Idea

There’s something wonderfully charming about a knitted crown. It’s playful, useful for the dress-up basket, and just the sort of small project that gives a leftover ball of yarn a proper purpose. Much better than letting it roll around the cupboard for another three years.

This free knitted crown pattern for kids and adults combines a simple garter-stitch band with shaped triangular points. The mustard-gold colour gives it that storybook crown look, although pink, purple or woodland green would be equally lovely.

A Manageable Next Step for Beginner Knitters

The construction is the appealing part of this design. Everything is knitted flat, so you won’t need double-pointed needles or experience joining stitches in the round.

You knit the band first, then work each crown point separately over a group of 12 stitches. Paired decreases gradually narrow each triangle, giving you a small, repeatable section to concentrate on.

I’d describe this as a confident beginner knitting project. You’ll need to know how to knit, work two types of decreases, hold unused stitches and sew a simple seam. There are several yarn tails to weave in, so a little patience with finishing will help.

Three Sizes With Room to Personalise

The pattern includes three sizes, with seven, eight or nine crown points. Choose by the wearer’s head measurement rather than age, and check your gauge carefully. Yarn stretch will make a noticeable difference to the fit.

For birthdays, an embroidered initial would be a sweet finishing touch. Contrasting yarn diamonds could suggest little jewels without adding hard embellishments.

What to Know Before Casting On

This is a soft knitted crown, so expect gentle points rather than a rigid costume accessory. A springy wool or wool-blend yarn should give the shaping more support than a very drapey yarn.

The stitch calculations have been checked, but the design has not yet been sample-knitted. The accompanying image is an illustrative mockup, so the finished texture and proportions may vary with your yarn and tension.

For a small handmade birthday accessory or a cheerful addition to the dress-up box, this is an appealing idea. And if an adult needs a matching crown for supervising the royal household, the larger size has that covered too.