Learn to #StitchAwayStress with the Craft Yarn Council

April is National Stress Awareness Month, and the Craft Yarn Council is celebrating by spreading the word about the therapeutic benefits of yarn crafts.

Knitting and crocheting are perfect for busting stress, giving you something to focus on other that whatever is bothering you. It’s meditative to form stitch after stitch, and it’s one thing you can control when the whole rest of the world is out of your hands.

I wrote a little more about the health benefits of knitting over at About if you want to check that out, and the Craft Yarn Council has some great information about yarn craft being good for you. While you’re there, check out the “When Life Gives You Lemons” stress ball pattern, designed by Twinkie Chan and available in knit and crochet.

There’s also a form there you can fill out to share how knitting or crochet has affected your life and health; responses are posted on the page.

You can also take part in the #StitchAwayStress campaign by sharing what you’re working on and how knitting allows you to stress less on social media.

I’d love to hear your stories, too, so let me know how knitting has affected your life in a positive way, whether through stress reduction or in some other way.

[Photo via Craft Yarn Council.]

Whether you love the cottagecore vibe, are heading to a Renaissance faire, stitching something fun for your Halloween costume, or just want to keep cozy on your fall rambles in the woods, the Wandering Woods Knit Hood from Yarnspirations should be your next knit.

The skill rating is easy, and it calls for worsted weight yarn to knit the hood with an integrated seed stitch border worked in a contrasting color. The hood is worked flat and seamed, then you pick up stitches along the bottom to knit the cape portion.

The cape part is shaped just like a raglan sweater, with increases on each side of four points across the cape. If you’ve ever worked a raglan project before this will be simple for you. And if you haven’t you’ll be ready for your first raglan sweater after this project! The front edgings are worked at the same time as the body, and you’ll finish off with the contrasting bottom edge, as well as I-cord ties for the hood.

This cape is pretty short, just covering the shoulders, but you can knit it as long as you like and even make a full length cape if you’re going for high drama (and warmth!).

There are four size options for the cape, to fit a chest measurement ranging from 28 to 60 inches (71 to 117 cm). As shown the cape edges don’t meet in the front, so if that’s something you want you can work more increases, which will also make the project longer. I’d love a version that’s longer and with a fun clasp to make it even cozier, but you can make it your own way.

The pattern calls for Red Heart Super Saver, but this would be a great project to knit in wool or a wool blend for extra warmth.

You can grab a free copy of the pattern from Yarnspirations, and if you want to make it as shown you can also get a kit that includes the two colors of yarn you need and other supplies if you want them.

[Photo: Yarnspirations]

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