Why is Knitting Good For You?

The following is a contributed post from a blog partner. 

It wasn’t so long ago that you mentioned the word knitting and you’d instantly have images of your grandma sitting in her big armchair, surrounded with wool and the clickity clack of her needles.  But times change, and there are many benefits of knitting.  Knitting is now becoming a popular past time for people of all generations, and your grandma is too busy skydiving!

The great thing about knitting is that anyone can do it, all you need is some wool, needles and a pattern if you’re struggling for inspiration check out these panda yarn pattern ideas.

But, it’s not just about making unique clothes or saving money, knitting is actually really good for you:

Stress Release

Knitting requires you to focus on what you are doing, effectively allowing your mind to forget the other activities and hassles of your daily life.

In effect, knitting provides an opportunity to escape and relive the stress of day to day life. As excessive stress is linked with an increased risk of heart disease and some cancers, knitting is really good well to improve your mental and physical health.

It’s Sociable

Yes, you can knit at home by yourself. But, you can also knot in groups or join an online forum to discuss the latest techniques, ask questions, or simply share your achievements.

This makes knitting a great way to reach out and contact new people, building friendships and improving your mental stimulation.

Memory Improvement

You may not realize it when you start knitting but you’ll be learning new patterns and different styles of knitting. Remembering these will help to keep your mind sharp and prevent brain cell deterioration, it’s the same as doing any mental activity.

Strength

Knitting is not going to give you muscles like a champion bodybuilder, but it is effective at maintaining and even building finger, wrist, and even arm strength, as well as improving your motor skills.

Because knitting requires planning, attention, interpretation, and visual effort, it effectively engages all parts of your brain. This, in turn, improves your motor skills and can actually help to distract from other pain in your body.

It may not be a 30-minute run every day but it’s an effective mental workout.

You Feel Good

Your stress levels are generally lower unless you make a particularly big mistake in your pattern. But, it’s more than just reducing stress. Knitting is a great way to boost your endorphin levels and feel good about yourself.

Just as completing a marathon will make you feel good, so will completing a pattern.

It Can Save You Money

With a little practice, you’ll actually be able to save yourself some money by creating your own clothes. You can wear these or give them as gifts but be sure to take the time to make something that will be really appreciated.

Then you’ll be surprised all your friends with your skills while feeling better mentally and physically. The fact that you saved money is an impressive extra bonus!