Not Just a Hobby, But Great for Mental and Physical Health!
Gone are the days when knitting and crochet were just activities only your grandma participated in. These days there have been a number of men, woman, and yes, even children stitching away and finding joy and peace with each stitch!
Why are so many people knitting and crocheting? Not only is it a great stress reliever, it can also be of great benefit to our physical health and well-being too!
In this blog post, we will briefly cover 5 health benefits of knitting and crochet that will make you want to pick up your needles and yarn right now!
What are the benefits?
1. Stress relief:
Once you're beyond the learning curve, knitting and crochet are both considered to be meditative, or mindful activities that can help to reduce stress and anxiety. The repetitive motions involved in knitting and crochet can really help to calm the mind and promote a sense of relaxation, which can be especially beneficial for those who suffer from conditions such as anxiety or depression.
2. Better social connections:
Many people enjoy knitting and crochet as a way to connect with others who share the same interest. What better social connection can there be than joining a knitting or crochet group! Whether in-person at your LYS, or as part of an online group, knitting and crochet provide a way to connect with others, which can be beneficial for mental health and overall well-being.
3. Increased self-esteem and confidence:
There's nothing better than getting your finished object off the blocking boards, trying it on, and IT FITS! What a boost to one's self-esteem and confidence! This can be extremely advantageous for people who may be struggling with self-esteem, anxiety or confidence issues.
4. Increased brain activity:
Clear away the cobwebs forming in your brain with knitting or crochet! Because of the complex hand movements, especially when working cables or fancy stitches, and our use of spatial reasoning, knitting and crochet can be beneficial for maintaining cognitive function and preventing cognitive decline, especially in older adults. It's also great for sharpening our problem-solving skills.
5. Improved dexterity and hand-eye coordination:
Knitting and crochet require the use of fine motor skills, which can help to improve dexterity and hand-eye coordination. (Looking at you, size 2.25mm sock needles. 👀)This can be helpful for older adults, as it can help to maintain or improve these skills, reducing the risk of falls and other accidents.
After looking over the benefits of either knitting or crochet, next time your feel stressed or need a little "me time", remember, you gain so much more when you are stitching away with your needles or hook!
If you're looking to join a fun Knit-Along over the summer, head to our Ravelry group and bring your Plucky sock WIP and join in our Summer Sock-stravaganza KAL!
Happy Making, Friends!
The Plucky Crew
P.S. We love seeing all of your beautiful creations made with Plucky yarn! Please tag us @thepluckyknitter or use the hashtag #pluckyknitter on Instagram and Facebook so we don't miss them! And sign up for our newsletter emails for a look at upcoming yarn and kit updates!