Knitting and Crochet a Proven Stress Reliever

A knitting and crochet tote is something a lot of people simply walk past in tourist shops or push to the back of their closet most of the year. This is not the case in my family. Knitting and crochet has always been a big part of my grandma’s life, and I never really knew why until last week.

For every holiday my grandma would give her grandkids in a knitting and crochet tote along with another little gift. I think she knew I didn’t really use them, even though I always hung one on the back of my door like I would need to use it at any time. Grandma said she made so many that she didn’t need them for herself. I think she always hoped I would start getting interested in crochet or knitting just like she did when she was my age.

I volunteered to drive my grandma to her knitting and crochet club last Tuesday, not knowing it was over half an hour away. She walked up to the car with her usual knitting and crochet tote and her supplies in tow. We had a lot of time to pass, so naturally we started talking about her knitting club meeting that day. She told me how she started knitting and crocheting in the first place and why she continued to keep the habit for 62 years and counting. She said that with all the stress in her life with working and raising three kids, she needed something to keep her calm. She needed something constant that could keep her mind off of everything else in her life that was bothering her.

I didn’t believe her at first that each knitting and crochet tote I saw her carrying acted as a stress reliever. After some research online later, I found out that she was right! Activities like knitting and crochet have a calming effect that can help manage anxiety and, as a result, even help medical conditions such as asthma or panic attacks. As a result of the stress relieving properties, knitting and crochet can also strengthen the body’s immune system.

Yesterday when I drove Grandma to her last club meeting, I saw her knitting and crochet tote and had a feeling of admiration and interest. I decided to do something I usually vowed never to do. I went into the meeting. I did go in there very well prepared, though. I looked up a Complete Beginners Guide to Knitting and Free Easy Crochet Patterns. I was baffled on my own and getting stressed just trying to figure out what all of these new terms meant.

At this meeting I started to make something of my own for once. I did a crochet tote bag that was so easy, and I finally had a knitting and crochet tote bag for all my supplies just like grandma. I actually had a bag that I planned on using! After the meeting I decided it would be a good idea to look into other stress relieving techniques, like a Ripple Afghan Crochet to decorate my new apartment. Who knew staying healthy could be so fun and easy?

Tagged with: Knitting

Filed under: Knitting

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