Knitting keeps you young!

I took up knitting a few months ago.

It wasn’t until I got started that I realised that this new hobby was going to have many more benefits than just producing a piece of knitting! My mum taught me to knit when I was a child, but I hadn’t done any for years. I decided to join a local group to get support in knitting my first jumper and soon realised that knitting had moved on since I was a child.

Learning a new skill

Before I even started knitting, I had to work out how much wool I needed for my jumper, which, rather than knowing the number of balls needed, it was worked out by the number of metres of yarn, which was then converted into the number of balls.  I learnt a new and better way of casting on as well as casting off. Reading a pattern and following it was a new language for me. I learnt new techniques for increasing and decreasing stitches, and to top it, this was all done on circular needles. 

All these skills improve the cognitive function of the brain. They improve short-term memory and focus. They help us to deal with complex tasks and solve problems.  

The use of the hands

Our hands can get stiff and weak if not used regularly. Knitting involves a different way of using the hands. It improves joint mobility and strength, as well as eye-hand coordination. This all triggers different areas of the brain, stimulating neuroplasticity, the growth and reorganisation of nerves and their connections. 

The social aspect

Socialising is another good way of stimulating the brain in various ways. A small group of us met up every 4 weeks, where we were guided through the next section of the jumper we were working on, and a goal was set for the following meet-up. Knitting groups are popular, and they have many benefits. There is the social interaction and the sense of community.

You can get inspiration from what the others in the group are creating, and ideas can be shared and problems solved. You can celebrate each other’s achievements. There is a sense of purpose, and patience can be improved.  

Having a sense of purpose

In between sessions, I had the motivation to complete what I needed to do for the next session. It produced a sense of focus and fulfilment, seeing something grow. I got into the habit of sitting down to knit and looked forward to it. Sometimes it was challenging, which made me concentrate even more. And then there was the sense of achievement in having navigated that challenge. 

Destressing

I started to notice that concentrating for 30 minutes fully on my knitting was a form of meditation, a way of quietening my mind. I freely admit that I find meditation challenging. Finding something like this to quieten my mind, without having to formally meditate, was a relief. There is now a lot of evidence that knitting can help to reduce stress and other aspects of mental health. The small, repetitive movements produce a calming effect, making it a form of active meditation. It reduces negative mind chatter. Done on a regular basis, it reduces anxiety and depression. Depression is also improved by helping with self-esteem and a sense of accomplishment in making something. 

Knitting and The Bredesen Protocol

The Bredesen Protocol consists of 7 different areas of lifestyle. Reducing stress is an important area, and being able to do it through an activity that you enjoy and has multiple benefits for the brain makes it an ideal activity. Brain training is another area, and as discussed, knitting provides this in many ways, whether you are learning it as a new activity or knitting a new pattern and learning a new stitch. 

I would like to thank the very patient and skilled Millie Furby, based in Milborne Port, who guided me through my first jumper, at www.theslippedstitchworkshops.co.uk. She has certainly inspired me to continue knitting. I’m already planning my next project. 

Dr Andrea Haas is passionate about helping people keep their minds sharp and their confidence high, at every stage of their life. With over 30 years as a medical doctor and training in the Bredesen Protocol for prevention and improvement of dementia, she combines medical insight with holistic therapies to create a bespoke journey to lasting cognitive health and improving confidence.

Book a free 20-minute call to find out how she may be able to help you.