There’s something extremely satisfying about knitting. I’ve never really decided if it’s the mindlessness that comes from knitting, the feel and texture of the yarn in my hands, the warmth of the wood needles, or simply the sheer pleasure in creating something from the heart.
I found on Wikipedia the definition of knitting as follows: “Knitting consists of loops called stitches pulled through each other. The active stitches are held on a needle until another loop can be passed through them.” My definition of knitting is much more. I find knitting not to be loops or stitches, but a piece of me, gliding in a seamless movement from one needle to the other. It’s meditation, the flowing of ideas, thoughts, feelings and love coming together to create a meaningful peace of art to wear or to give to someone who will cherish what I’ve done. Knitting provides solace in this ever changing environment and provides a relief to the mind that has been worn out by constant stress.
With the resurgence of hand knitting, many are beginning to realize that this once deemed our grandmother’s craft not only provides the satisfaction of seeing a beautiful finished garment appear with a few movements of a needle, but find that this craft offers many hours of peace and quiet for the mind. In recent studies, it has been found, that the rhythmic repetitive acts of knitting, and crocheting, can help manage stress, manage pain, manage depression and lower blood pressure, all of which in turn strengthens the body’s immune system. Knitting even provides a workout for the brain and that can possibly reduce the risk for Alzheimer’s disease. When compared to yoga, knitting can give you the same ability to induce a relaxed meditative state and a serene tranquility, by providing focus and calm that allows you to think clearly and creatively.
So the next time you’re feeling stressed, depressed or even overwhelmed, pick up a pair of needles and meditate along with the clicking of the needles.
