Health benefits of knitting and crocheting

The knitting, crochet (hook), embroidery and other arts based on the threads, have been popular since ancient times. Whereas, in the past, knitting was a necessity to make warm clothes and blankets, now, it is just an art and a hobby that people of all ages enjoy. It is always so satisfying to do something with your hands.

Health benefits of knitting and crocheting

Knitting, whether it’s knitting, crocheting or crocheting, or whatever technique you like best, will always be more than just making yourself a cute sweater or a pair of warm socks. In fact, it is much more. It really brings with it a number of health-boosting benefits. As well as being a classic skill and method of creative expression, sometimes in unexpected ways, it actually has mental, physical, and emotional benefits.

And if you think about it, it makes perfect sense. Knitters know how nice it is to relax after a long day with their current project and just sit still and focus on the project for a long time. It’s very relaxing.

If you’re not a weaver, these unexpected side effects could convince you to become a weaver. If you already are, these fascinating facts could inspire you to start that project you’ve been planning, or to dream up a whole new one.

Knitting and crocheting may seem like a craft of the past, but they are not at all. In fact, the fabric has seen an increase in popularity among people of all ages.

But besides being a useful skill, what else does weaving do to your advantage?

Reduces heart rate and blood pressure

If you know how to knit, you probably know how relaxed you feel after finishing a good session. But relaxing is much more than feeling good. It is healthy! Relaxation lowers levels of the stress hormone cortisol, which, in excess, is bad for your heart and circulatory system, and stress can cause all sorts of other unpleasant health problems, too.

Keeps fingers nimble

Knitting and crocheting require a number of small, precise movements, often executed quickly. This repeated exercise is really great for keeping your finger joints flexible and the muscles in your hands toned and stable.

It may seem counterproductive, but keeping the fingers moving through the tissue is ideal for maintaining mobility in people with arthritis. Naturally, as with any activity, go smoothly and don’t overdo it, and be sure to take frequent stretching breaks.

Improve math skills

Believe it or not, you can sharpen your math skills without doing math – or at least, that’s what it sounds like. Knitting and crocheting is about counting, multiplying, measuring, and modeling, which are all math skills.

When you knit, you work most of that stuff, albeit subconsciously. But the effect on your brain is the same: stronger math skills.

Calm anxiety

In addition to physically relaxing the body, the fabric also calms the mental state. For many, the practice of weaving is meditative, allowing the mind to pause and refocus, and ease worries.

Sharpen the memory

As with math, knitting is about remembering what you are doing. When to knit and when to hem, which stripe of color comes next, and how many rows go into which part of the project. Knitting makes your brain actively dependent on your memory, and the more you use it, the stronger your memory becomes.

Helps control pain

Knitting requires focus, which means you will have to focus on it and not, for example, the pain. People with chronic pain may find that knitting allows them to think about something other than discomfort, and makes them less aware of pain for at least a little time.

And it is not just physical pain. People with clinical depression and eating disorders also reported feeling better after knitting.

Reduces the urge to eat mindlessly

If your hands are busy, you can’t reach junk food. People who knit tend to be less likely to engage in mindless eating, and therefore tend to have better diets and stay off weight.

If you are planning to eat more mindfully, try knitting while at home or watching TV. Your hands will be busy with the project, and therefore they will not be seeing what to grab from the cupboard.

Keeps your brain healthy for years

Studies have shown that among older people, those who knit or crochet had a lower chance of age-related cognitive decline or memory loss. Among people aged 70 to 89, studies showed that weavers had the healthiest brains and memories.

It suggests that arts like this help the brain create and maintain the neural pathways that keep the mind and memory sharp.

Gives a sense of purpose

One of the worst feelings is that you are alone. But having a project gives you a goal and a sense of purpose. You want to meet that goal, and each time you are closer to it is a great feeling, inspiring.

Even better is creating handmade gifts for friends and family, or creating basic clothing items like scarves and gloves for those in need. The feeling of creating something for someone you care about is deeply satisfying.

Increase confidence and self-esteem

If work on a project is satisfying, completing one is even better. When you’ve finished something, you have something physical that you can hold and look at and say, “I did it!” Knitting is a skill you’ve learned and mastered, and it’s something new that you can do now.

You get to make a unique piece at the end and that’s awesome

Along with a sense of accomplishment and skill, you’ll also get cool art when you’re done with a knitting project. And the best part is that there is no other like him in the world.

Maybe you’ll end up with a perfectly fitted sweater, or a blanket that looks perfect in your bedroom, or a scarf in your favorite colors. Whatever it is, it’s yours!