In today’s fast paced, digital world where everything is available at the click of a button, it is easy to feel overwhelmed with information and stressed about events outside of your control.
Why knitting has health benefits
Knitting requires no digital input, allowing you to focus all of your effort on achieving a predetermined outcome. The sense of purpose gained from knitting can slow breathing, improve concentration and reduce your blood pressure.
The cathartic effect of knitting causes the brain to release serotonin, sometimes known as the “happy hormone”. This means that not only do knitters gain great satisfaction from creating their projects, but their love of the craft grows the more they do it.
Knitting has been proven to have cognitive benefits too, as the complex tasks of stitch counting, hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills required in knitting engage both sides of the brain, improve the knitter’s focus and can foster healthy brain development, guarding against age-related degradation.
How to get started with knitting
There are many social groups where knitting is strongly encouraged and more experienced knitters will help beginners to get started. Many village halls hold “knit and natter” mornings or craft sessions, all of which are very welcoming to newcomers and can help create lasting social connections as well as developing valuable knitting skills.
If you are unable to attend a group and just want to hone your skills at home, consider using super chunky yarn sourced from a knitting specialist such as www.woolcouturecompany.com/collections/super-chunky-yarn. Super chunky yarn is easy to knit, available in a wide selection of colours and quickly delivers an encouraging result.
Don’t argue with science
If the scientists say knitting is good for you, who are we to disagree? To test the theory for yourself, grab a ball of yarn and two needles and see where the journey takes you. It could quite literally transform your life!
