Mindful Knitting and Crochet
**Blog post originally from 2019**
Mindful knitting and crochet are fantastic ways of practicing mindfulness. Mindfulness is already a huge part of many people's lives these days. Taking time to come back to the present and focus your mind away from your busy everyday life, no checking that mobile phone every 5 minutes, mindfulness can help to relieve stress and tension.
Knitting and crochet have been proven to be a tool to improve wellbeing for many years now. Betsan Corkhill, founder of Stitchlinks has written a book Knit for Health and Wellness, which is not only a great read for those who wish to practice therapeutic knitting it is also a resource for clinicians and teachers to refer to. Lynne has co-authored a book with Betsan called Knit Yourself Calm, which includes patterns and info on mindful knitting.
We invited Lynne Rowe to do a series of videos exploring the benefits or mindful knitting and crochet. Lynne chats to Sara in the two part video discussion covering techniques to try and talking about how useful she finds mindfulness. Lynne also has the most soothing voice which will relax you, add in her meditative mantra and you will be ready to try out mindful knitting or mindful crochet for yourself. I could listen to her for hours! Watch part 1 below....
Take a look at Mindful Knitting and Crochet Part 2.......
Lynne has shared with us her 'Beginners Guide to Mindful Knitting and Crochet'. Helpful hints and tips to get you started.
- Find a quiet place where you won't be interrupted.
- Sit comfortably, following the guidance below.
- Focus on the cool air as it enters your body and the warm air as it leaves; visualise your breath making you feel lighter and brighter.
- Watch your hands as you knit or crochet; marvel at the way you turn yarn into fabric.
- Try lighting a candle to bring calm and help alleviate tension.
- Sit on an upright chair and push your bottom towards the chair back so you lower spine is supported.
- Keep your feet flat on the floor and legs uncrossed with your knees slightly lower than your hips.
- Bring your work up towards the top of your body to avoid slouching.
- Lift your head slightly and tuck in your chin a little.
- Imagine your head being slightly pulled by an invisible thread.
- Don't worry if your mind wanders; gently bring your attention back to your knitting and counting.
- Try listening to meditative music.