8 Surprising Health Benefits of Knitting & Crochet 🧵✨
Knitting and crochet are more than hobbies — they’re a source of comfort, focus, and joy. Many people pick up their needles for the creativity, but they quickly discover that these crafts also bring surprising health and wellbeing benefits. From reducing stress to keeping your hands nimble, here are some of the reasons why your crafting time is good for you.
|
Engagement in creative arts and crafts can have a positive impact on mental health and wellbeing. Perruzza and Kinsella, 2010 |
1. Reduce DepressionModern research is now guiding us to the understanding that SSRI anti-depressants may numb feelings, but exercise, hobbies and social interaction make us feel better. 54%clinically depressed respondents said knitting made them feel happy or very happy. Cardiff University (Betsan Corkhill) 🧶🧶🧶🧶🧶 81%reported feeling happier after knitting, and more than half said it made them feel “very happy". A powerful reminder that even a few stitches can lift the mood! From a study of 3,545 knitters in 39 countries. Riley et al, British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 2013 |
2. Improve Brain FunctionWe have a customer who had suffered a stroke. She could not remember how to count, let alone knit. But, she taught herself to knit again, and learnt to count by knitting. Knitting and crochet improve cognitive skills and reduce memory loss. Mayo Clinic 2011 🧶🧶🧶🧶🧶 Engaging in meaningful hobbies such as knitting can promote emotional well-being and reduce cognitive decline. Mayo Clinic 2020 |
|
3. Relaxation |
The simple rhythm of stitches has been shown to calm the mind and body — like meditation with yarn... Knitting induces a relaxed state similar to that of meditation, helping to decrease heart rate and blood pressure. Harvard Medical School, 2018 🧶🧶🧶🧶🧶 94%say their skill helps them to relax. Craft Council |
4. Reduce Heart RateTry to take a few minutes, a couple of time a day, to add a few rows of stitches. Knitting and crochet lower the heart rate by an average of 11 beats per minute.Harvard Medical School, Mind & Body Institute 2001 |
|
|
Hacking et al 2006 |
5. Sense of AchievementYou know that endless list of thankless tasks we all have? Take on a small crafting project, and you might just feel rewarded! 83%say the biggest benefit of learning the skill is the sense of achievement. Craft Council 🧶🧶🧶🧶🧶 Engagement in the creative arts and crafts can influence wellbeing positively by promoting motivation and self-esteem. Bedding and Sadlo 2008 |
6. Feeling IncludedIf you know anyone who is lonely, look up a local knitting group and, if you can, take them along. One of customers visited New Zealand to see her daughter, and made so many new friends just by learning to knit with strangers. 76%knitters and crochetiers say they like to knit with someone else. Craft Council 🧶🧶🧶🧶🧶 65%felt that knitting with others ‘usually’ or ‘definitely’ gave them confidence. 86%said that knitting with others gave them a feeling of belonging. 90%said that they had made several or more friends through knitting. |
Knitting reduces loneliness and increases feelings of usefulness and inclusion Mayo Clinic 2011
|
|
|
7. Stress ReductionIn a busy world, stress can take over, but famous actors say they like to knit on set between takes, commuters knit on public transport, and one brave member of the US Senate famuously took to knitting during the long legislatirve sessions! 80%of crochetiers say it helps them reduce stress. Craft Council ---------- Frequent knitters, especially those who knitted more than three times per week, were more likely to report feeling calm after knitting. Riley J., Corkill B., Morris C., 2013, British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 76(2) 50-57. |
8. Learn New SkillsThere is a reason that knitting groups are becoming so popular... 72%learnt new knitting skills 41%learnt other skills Riley J., Corkill B., Morris C., 2013, British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 76(2) 50-57. |
|
Creative arts can improve the 
"From talking with other knitters I’ve learned new cooking, gardening, sewing and beading techniques".