When I was a young boy, I discovered that my anxiety could be reduced by using my hands and fingers. Knitting is calming for people all over the world. Let’s get our needles in the yarn to see what we can do.
The nurses wanted to give me an anti-anxiety drug until I said that I prefer knitting for anxiety. She looked at me and said: ‘That is much healthier than taking drugs.’
How many times have you knitted? What about you? Are you a knitting enthusiast?
You’ll find lots of useful and interesting information, so dive right in!
Intro
Set the table by presenting some interesting facts from an article that I found on The Creatives Hour website, “15 Surprising and Interesting Knitting Statistic 2024.”
- In the United States there are 53 million knitters, and in the United Kingdom 7 million.
- In 2019, the US knitting and crocheting market was worth $1.2 billion.
- 51% of knitters dedicate 8+ hours per week to a project
- Knitting is a relaxing hobby for everyone.
- Knitters choose to relax with their needles rather than watching TV or drinking alcohol after a stressful day
- Knitting reduces stress for 88% of knitters
- Knitters’ heart rates are 19% lower than those of other participants.
- 40% of knitters use it to relieve depression
What a great way to lay a foundation!
Knitting for mental illness: calmness and structure
Now it’s time to get our needles in the yarn.
While browsing online, I came across this press release from the University of Gothenburg, Sweden, dated 15 March 2024: “Knitting helps people with mental illnesses to feel calmer and more structured.”
This article describes a study that was published in The Journal of Occupational Science. Joanna Nordstrand, PhD student at the University of Gothenburg and occupational therapist, is its first author.
The news release states that people with mental and emotional health problems can benefit from knitting. It is described as a method of bringing calmness and structure to their lives.
A way to cope with life
Ms. Nordstrand is a knitter.
Knitters can improve their mental health by using a creative hobby to help them cope with the stresses of life. This is why I believe so many people are knitting today.
This study is unique in that it examines how people with emotional and mental problems describe knitting to their health.
The team of researchers collected 600 posts on Ravelry, an online forum that is free for knitters and crocheters. The posts were analysed using qualitative content analysis techniques.
The Benefits of Knitting
The study found that knitting can improve mental and emotional health in three main ways.
- Unwinding is a great way to relax.
- It is a great hobby that offers a sense of identity as a knitter, and also a social context with low stakes.
- It can help people to have a more structured life.
The study participants reported improvements in their health, both short-term and long-term. They attributed this to their belief that knitting was a highly valued occupation.
Some knitters noticed that their mental processes changed when they began knitting. They said their thoughts became more clear and manageable.
Ms. Nordstrand…
The goal of an occupational therapist is for people to be able to function. The health system should not ignore the potential of needles and thread!
Participant Comments
Check out these comments from participants. They are a good testimony to the benefits of knitting.
Replacement of meds
They wanted to give me an anti-anxiety drug until I said that I prefer knitting. She looked at me and said: “That’s healthier than drugs.” Ya think?
Stress Reduction
While I sat in the waiting area with my mother, while my parents persuaded me to visit the walk-in clinic at the hospital I was knitting. I knitted for the whole hour […]. Knitting is my favorite stress-relieving tool. I have adjusted my medication, but it still works.
Thought management
When my hands are busy, my brain slows down and I can focus on one thing instead of 20-30 things at once.
Pretty cool, huh.
The power is at your fingertips
One night, as a young boy, anxiety kept me awake. I grabbed a pencil and pad in the darkness and got back into bed to doodle until I fell asleep.
This was my first experience with the power of fingers and hands.
Knit some yarn if depression, anxiety or stress are frequent problems for you. You have the power at your fingertips.
Hi, this is a comment.
To get started with moderating, editing, and deleting comments, please visit the Comments screen in the dashboard.
Commenter avatars come from Gravatar.