Like most things in the world of high fashion, knitting has fallen in and out of favour over the course of the 20th Century. Coco Chanel, who incorporated knits into her signature suits, also emphasised knitwear as ideal for recreational activities like sailing or sports. For most of the 20th Century, knitwear was used in clothing that was relatively conventional, although towards the end of the century, pioneers like Vivienne Westwood, Alexander McQueen and Julien Macdonald began using knits in unusual ways and to create edgier garments, expanding the applications of the technique.
Designers, artists and hobbyists have taken this to an extreme since the turn of the century. Knit-centric, fashion-forward designers like Yan Yan and Hazar Jawabra gaining traction around the world and actively reversing preconceived attitudes.
According to Black, knitting is often still perceived as an amateur and uncomplicated craft, and the difficulty of the skill is chronically underestimated by people both and in and out of the fashion industry.
Her intricate works are sensual, whimsical and futuristic hybrid garments that stray far from the typical cardigan or sweater. Zelentsova says few people grasp the unique challenges of the medium. Lizzie Morgan, a crocheter a technique used with one knitting needle as opposed to two known as GimmeKaya on Instagram, said the social media platform inspired her to take up the craft. Morgan says that the enthusiasm of the digital knitting sphere was also born of a generational commitment to combating climate change.
Now, many of us are choosing to make our own clothes or shop from more sustainable brands. The boom has similarly boosted millennial-focussed companies that sell knitting tools and kits. Knitting offers an escape for the mind while providing the hands with something to do. When we asked knitters around the world why they love knitting, many said they enjoyed how it is both calming and productive.
The beauty of knitting is that every journey is unique. We invite you to learn to knit with us and start your own journey to better mental health. Want to learn more? Check out our recent article about knitting and mindfulness to see how else you can benefit from a new hobby.
Just be warned, knitting is addictive and once you start you might not be able to stop! I lov the article because it ties into a project I want to do at my church knit baby caps for a service project but I don't know how to knit yet. I hope to use the site on learning to knit. A friend sent the article to me. By LoveKnitting For many, activities like meditation or yoga have become life-changing habits that help to bring calm both to mind and body in times of stress, anxiety or pain.
Some of the benefits include: Lowered blood pressure Reduced depression and anxiety Slowed onset of dementia Distraction from chronic pain Increased sense of wellbeing Reduced loneliness and isolation Amazing, right?
Kids are learning focus and concentration. The Waldorf School has been incorporating handicrafts like knitting and weaving into its curriculum since its inception in To this day, knitting is part of the curriculum. Mental exercises like playing board games, reading and knitting can lower the risk of dementia according to a study by the New England Journal of Medicine and the Mayo Clinic.
Although inconclusive, researchers believe that activities that stimulate the mind can create networks of connections between brain cells. So far, the program has been a resounding success with an eager and growing wait list. To date, over inmates have gone through their weekly knitting class. No one was more surprised with the results than Margaret M. She noticed lower rates of violence among the men who knit.
In the weekly class, men knit comfort dolls for traumatised children and hats for themselves, their own children and loved ones. Today, Knitting Behind Bars is still going strong. Check out their blog here. The irony is that knitting itself is addictive, but the key is in swapping a truly self-destructive addiction for the relatively tame addiction of knitting.
Her meditations on the craft are collected in her book The Knitting Sutra: Craft as a Spiritual Practice and the follow-up, published a year before her death in , Knitting Heaven and Earth: Healing the Heart with Craft. From knitting circles to Ravelry aka. A study published by the British Journal of Occupational Therapy reports that knitters who knit frequently are calm, happy and experience higher cognitive functioning.
Have you experienced any of these health benefits of knitting? Let me know what you get out of knitting. Sign up for free patterns, tutorials, sales and promotions. Only good stuff. Never spam. Unsubscribe anytime. Davina, this is a great post. The prison project reminded me of a project that a friend in Albuquerque has been working on to procure yarn for women in prison to have for knitting or crocheting.
I think every community could use programs like this. I also think knitting could be a great skill for at-risk youth. Hey Amor! Thank you! We just need to find a way to apply it. So encouraged by what your friend is doing! Was checking this website to see why I like it so much. I have a real need to keep my hands always busy. I have many hobbies including gardening which I have no problem doing from sun up till sundown.
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