THE MANY BENEFITS OF KNITTING – AN AMAZING HOBBY WITH SURPRISING BENEFITS
Knitting is the witchcraft of making something out of thin air. Just like a good witch, you’re equipped with two needles – your wands – and yarns – your binding spells. Knitting is for every age and for everyone. The earliest origins of knitting date back to Egypt between 500 and 1200 A.D. Knitting is simply putting a loop through another loop. It produces many articles of clothing such as scarves, sweaters, socks, hats etc.
Just like any hobby, knitting boasts some incredible benefits. It stimulates the brain and encourages coordination as you are continuously repeating the same action over a few thousand stitches. In addition, it is known to have the same benefits as meditating – reducing stress, anxiety and symptoms of depression. During World War II, many women would knit as a grounding activity while the men were at war, since this, to them, was something sure and constant in their lives. Knitting was also used to encode messages for spying and espionage. Prisons also teach inmates to knit as a way to keep them occupied and help them develop a skill during their days of confinement.
Knitting has also been shown to have several benefits for the aging population. According to a 2013 study conducted by Arthritis Care & Research, 75% of study participants who tried knitting found that their joint pain and stiffness were alleviated. Furthermore, only a month of practising the craft led them to have better sleep cycles and better mobility. There have also been indications of improvements in cognitive and memory functions, meaning knitting can potentially prevent dementia. The activity is non-strenuous and may help one hone their motor skills, thus preventing potential cognitive decline as one ages.
The stitching mechanism of most knitwear traps air – a very good insulator. Therefore, knitted mufflers, socks and sweaters are thoughtful and functional clothing items if you are considering donating to the poor and needy. Donating knitted clothes, especially ones you made yourself, is a surefire way to make a positive contribution to supporting the underprivileged.
Knitting has a way of connecting older and newer generations together. Back in 1982, my grandmother taught my mother how to knit her first scarf. Forty years later, that skill has been passed down to me. Today, my mother and I have something new to bond over. While it sure is a time-consuming skill, with patience and persistence, this can become a hobby to cherish.
If you are thinking of picking up knitting, there are multiple resources online with extensive guides on how to get started. YouTube is possibly the first choice for many, but blogs can be a great help as well. But, as with any hobby, you’re bound to make mistakes when you are a beginner. But soon, you’ll get the hang of it, and once you master the basics, it only gets easier from there. This is when you can start going down the rabbit hole of exploring the work and creativity of the online knitting community. There are a plethora of knitting groups on social media platforms such as Facebook, Reddit and Instagram. These communities consist of people from all walks of life. Most knitting communities are warm and welcoming to beginners, so if you ever need help with a stitch, they will have a fix!