Let’s Celebrate the Benefits of Knitting

I’m writing this post in honor of World Wide Knit in Public Day, but of course every day is a good day both to knit in public and to acknowledge the benefits of knitting in our lives.

It happens that a piece on this subject was recently published by Self magazine, and while it notes that other hobbies have these benefits, too, it specifically calls out knitting in the headline so we’re claiming it.

Even if you’ve never heard the evidence that yarn crafts and other hobbies that involve making things are good for your mental health, you probably know it from experience. (Though I know a lot of new knitters would argue knitting isn’t stress relieving, it definitely is once you get the hang of it!)

Knitting allows you to be creative, to learn new things, to feel relaxed and to gain a sense of control over things. It’s lovely to think about the fact that, even if you knit the same pattern as someone else using the same kind of yarn, you’re still going to make something that’ totally unique.

I bring up this post for knitting in public day because it also notes that a benefit of knitting is the built-in community. Whether you find that through public knitting events, your local yarn shop if you have one, or even online communities like our Facebook group (give it a join if you haven’t already!) there are so many knitters out there ready to welcome more.

I won’t say it’s universal, but the vast majority of knitters are helpful, kind and supportive, and remember what it was like to be new at something. The others, please ignore.

Check out the post at Self for all the benefits of knitting and other creative crafts.

I’d love to hear what you think are the major benefits of knitting for you, and shout out your local yarn shop or knitting group if you have one in the comments!

Next Pattern:

Blankets are a great blank slate project that you can change up in a million different ways. From color to stitch pattern to size, the possibilities are almost endless.

Jared Flood, the designer behind Brooklyn Tweed, was inspired by a log cabin quilt his mother made in 1995 to re-create that design in knitting, which led to more blankets and ultimate Brooklyn Tweed’s Knit and Crochet Blankets, which includes 25 patterns from an array of designers using different skills and techniques to make cozy, pretty blankets.

The patterns are divided into three aesthetic themes: traditions, minimalism and colorplay. The patterns are rated on a scale of one to five, with one being the easiest, and there aren’t any pieces rated five. Two blankets are rated one, 14 are two, eight are three and one is four.

In addition, three of the 25 patterns are crocheted, but they either use single crochet or granny stitch, so they are pretty easy even if you don’t do a lot of crochet. You can see all the patterns on Ravelry.

Some of my favorites include Rattan by Rastus Hsu, a chunky blanket worked in knits and purls with simple crossing stitches to make a raised woven look; Homewood by Seth Richardson, covers in dramatic, loopy cables; Ainur Berkimbayeva’s Tessellate, one of the beginner projects that doesn’t really look beginner but is totally worked in knit and purl stitches; Warp + Weft by Aist? Butkevi?ien?, which is mostly knits and purls but makes a fun woven look fabric that blew my mind a little bit; and the same designer’s Canyonland, a multicolored blanket with wavy stripes.

The patterns tell you how to resize them for different dimensions and include information on pattern repeats where it is possible to make a totally custom size.

Many different techniques are included here such as cables, lace, shadow knitting, intarsia and other colorwork techniques, as well as modular knitting and lots of sewing pieces together. The patterns are all presented with charts, but there are line by line written instructions available on the Brooklyn Tweed website if you need them.

The book ends with a deep dive into log cabin knitting, telling the story of the quilt Jared’s mom made and how he made it in knitting, as well as the multitude of variations you can make if you want your own log cabin style design.

The back of the book includes a little written information about some of the special techniques needed, but there are no photos.

This is a lovely book full of inspiration for knitting and crochet blankets for any skill level. If you like to make blankets as gifts or aspire to have a handmade blanket in every room of the house, these designs would be a great place to start.

About the book: 192 pages, paperback, 25 patterns. Published 2024 by Abrams Books, suggested retail price $24.99.

Next Pattern:

Have you read?

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