Knitting Love

Here is a love fest for the needles

“doing crafts such as knitting ….  combined with watching less TV decreased the odds of later cognitive impairment and memory loss by 30-50% and promoted the development of neural pathways”    

             Mayo Clinic Professor of Neurology and Psychiatry Yones Gada, Journal of Neuropsychiatry & Child Neurosciences

“ using your hands in a meaningful way as for knitting creates healthy engagement and activity in about 60% of your brain”   Dr Alton Barron, orthopedic surgeon/president of NY Society Surgery of the Hand

Yoga uses physical movements to affect a change in your state of mind , so too does knitting.  Like a metronome, the rhythm of working the same stitch over and over again calms the heart rate and breathing, creating a feeling of stability and inner quiet.   Much like executing a series of yogi poses over and over again. And while you muse over how to execute a stitch – or a pose – those problems that threaten to overwhelm you as you left the office can take a backseat.”   Betsan Corkhill, Occupational Terapist

 “The rhythmic, mathematical nature of the craft keeps the mind absorbed in a healthy way, ridding if of stressful thought and allowing for internal reflection.  It is a powerful, preventative medicine like an anti-depressant that seems to be doing something antidepressants and psychotherapy cannot do”  Dr Carrie Barron, psychiatrist, Columbia College of Physicians & Surgeons

Repetitive movements like needle/knit enhance the release of serotonin which brings you out of a bad mood – Barry Jacobs, Princeton University