Knitting is rich on the senses - it’s all about colours and pattern, the texture and aroma of the yarn,
and the rhythmic click of the needles.
“Knitting is uniquely compatible with “concentration practice”, the basis of mindfulness ... requiring a level of concentration on the present, plus a broader awareness acquired through the use of all your senses.”
Danny Hill, former Buddhist monk, mindfulness expert
Knitting can keep dementia, including Alzheimer’s at bay as it slows cognitive decline.
“Knitting combined with watching less tv decreases the odds of later cognitive impairment & memory loss
(by 30-50%) and promotes the development of neural pathways”
Professor of Neurology & Psychiatry Yonas Gada, Mayo Clinic Minnesota
Learn new skills and fancy finger work to make stuff that you can wear.
Improves dexterity, co-ordination & concentration
“The rhythm of the knitting is very soothing and it brings this focus to what you’re doing, so automatically your level of concentration improves”
Danny Hill, former Buddhist monk, mindfulness expert
“Using your hands in a meaningful way like knitting creates healthy engagement & activity in about 60% of your brain”
Dr Alton Barron Orthopaedic Surgeon of NY Society of Surgery of the Hand
Working with colour and texture makes you happy too.
“Repetitive movements like knitting enhance the release of serotonin which brings you out of a bad mood”
Barry Jacobs, Princeton University
There’s a huge sense of accomplishment & fulfilment in making something beautiful as well as planning & completing your lovely project and creating your own works of art.
“harness your inner artist with crafting”
Kathryn Vercillo, Hook to Heal
Feeds mind, body and soul.
“Knitting promotes a sense of well being & calm by eliciting the ‘relaxation response’ . It calms the senses into meditation like state causing heart rate and blood pressure to fall. It alleviates stress by reducing levels of stress hormone cortisol”
Harvard Medical School Study
“It alleviates stress by reducing levels of the stress hormone cortisol”
“The rhythmic mathematical nature of the craft keeps the mind absorbed in a healthy way ridding it of stressful thought and allowing for internal reflection. It is a powerful preventative medicine like an anti-depressant that seems to be doing something that anti-depressants and psychotherapy cannot do”
Dr Carrie Barron, Columbia College of Physicians & Surgeons