Why crochet is so relaxing and the benefits of keeping your hands busy.
Stressed? Tense? Tightly wound? Yes, yes, and yes! I sound like an infomercial right! Last year I was all the above and the tension was getting so bad I started having migraines and trouble sleeping. It was like my mind was constantly racing, and I was becoming increasingly tense. My family noticed how tightly wound I was getting and recommended I do something to relax. I went old school and I started crocheting again. Who knew making knots could be so relaxing and rewarding.
When I was very young I loved making and learning things so my mom taught me to crochet. I picked it up again a few years ago but let it go when I got too busy again. Back then I only made doilies and blankets but I think I stopped because I began to question how many blankets I really needed? I certainly was running out of room for storing them. But this time, after becoming more conscious of what I had and not having space to work up a large item I started making smaller things my family and I could use more from day to day.
I began to make arm warmers, hats, and scarves at first, and I was surprised to find how good it was at relieving stress. There's something about the repetitive motions that keeps my hands busy while allowing my mind to wander. It's calming and rewarding to see the things you make with your own hands.
Experts believe that the repetitious motions and counting in crocheting is good for anxiety and depression. An article from CNN also adds that knitting and crochet along with other creative activities can be compared to meditation in their ability to calm the mind and dampen internal chaos. Plus the dopamine that gets released in response to doing something pleasurable and rewarding can serve as a natural anti-depressant.
I'm happy to find that I have been more relaxed since I've started crocheting again, the headaches have gone away and my mind doesn't race as much as it did before. I've enjoyed winding down in the evenings by crocheting away while watching TV, or just reviewing my thoughts in a more relaxing way. Now when my family sees me getting stressed they suggest that I go crochet something.
I was enjoying crocheting so much that one day in the winter as I was shopping around for a warmer dress (and unable to find one in a knit fabric) the thought came to me to see if I could make one myself. Prior to this, I had never made anything wearable that was bigger than a scarf, but I was determined. While it was certainly a challenge at first, it felt so rewarding to have made something with my own hands. Maybe I've gotten a little carried away, but now that I've been learning more and I've become more confident in making fashion items I'm continuing to make sweaters, vests, and hopefully more.
It's sort of cool to know that there are pieces in my wardrobe that are bespoke and that I made them myself. Here's some of I've made so far and I'll be sure to share other things I'm working on soon.
Grey mock neck sweater dress
Pink and white raglan sweater
Red & Gold Vest (I know Gryffindor colors)
I had so much of these colors left over I decided to make a sweater but since I didn’t have enough for sleeves I just converted the pattern to a vest.
