Therapeutic Knitting
I have decided that I am going to learn how to knit. I knew once upon a time, years ago, but I’ve since forgotten. My mom’s co-worker is going to cast me on and teach me tomorrow. The reason I’m learning is because I have trichotillomania, an anxiety disorder similar to OCD that makes you pull out your own hair. (I know it sounds strange, but if you’d like more information visit the TLC or feel free to ask me.) I’ve heard knitting is a good way to keep your hands busy to stop pulling and release the anxiety or stress that causes it. Plus, I love scarves. I’m sure my scarves will be fairly messy at first, but I honestly don’t care—I’ll wear them anyway. I already bought some really nice pink and green yarn that I think will make a great, colorful scarf. The potential for Christmas presents is boundless.
My question for you all: do you have any knitting tips? I’ve also heard about special knitting needles that are airplane-friendly; as I have a 7-plus hour flight coming up, I’d like to be able to do some knitting, without my needles being taken away by the TSA. Do you have any other ideas on how to keep my hands busy while watching T.V., on the bus, or reading? How do you deal with stress and anxiety?
I’ve been knitting for about 4 years now, and it does make a difference in my stress and anxiety level — it’s especially noticeable if I’ve gone a few days without knitting.
I love making socks — so many pretty yarns out there right now, and the project is small enough to tuck into my purse and carry with me — for some reason I’m much more relaxed as long as I know I can knit if I want to.
You may want to check out Ravelry (www.ravelry.com). It’s full of wonderful people, and all things knitting. I especially like being able to see what other people have used for yarns in different projects and seeing all the finished items.
I can knit, but if I do it too long my shoulders hurt. But I love to crochet. I especially love to do what’s called mile-a-minute crochet where you crochet long strips and then put them together for throws or afghans. I’ve used the strips as scarves too.
Good ideas, all! Thanks so much for the advice and suggestions. I’ve checked the list of TSA prohibited items,a nd knitting needles are not on the list– so hopefully they’ll let me on the plane with them! Crocheting is another thing I used to know how to do– clearly I was much craftier at 10. It’s something I’ll have to look into.
Best of luck with the knitting. I love it and hate it in the best way. I have some knitting posts on my blog kwanawrites.blogspot.com you can check the knitting labels to see them. I do scarves and hats are fun and easy too. Socks are great but I’d do them after scarves and hats. Enjoy. I taught myself through books and videos. Go to knittinghelp.com for how to videos if you get stuck late at night.
I learned to knit a few years ago, and I love it as a stress reliever. There are some gorgeous knitting patterns out there now! For some good free ones, check out knitty.com. Some of theirs are quite difficult, but they also have some basic scarves and easier projects. For flying, I’ve read that most knitting needles should be okay on the plane. I usually take bamboo needles(available at almost any craft store) with me flying and I’ve never had a problem.
I used to knit but then had 3 children and didn’t seem to have time. Now that the children are grown, I took it up again, only now I have cats. They live up to the stereotype and want to play with the wool. In fact, they are harder to work around than children because children take naps, go to play dates, grow up, whereas the cats are always around and don’t seem to understand when I tell them that my wool is not a toy. But I definitely agree that there is something quite soothing about the click of the needles and seeing your work grow before your eyes. The reverse of RobinB, my teacher was righthanded and I’m lefthanded, so I learned to knit righthanded. I then realized that I could switch back and forth, with the effect of knitting one stitch, purling the other, so it actually was a fairly handy skill to have.
Knitting (and crocheting) are my number one stress relievers. I work in front of the tv, sometimes, but mostly I listen to audiobooks, since that way I can combine to favourite activities and have my eyes and hands free to knit more complicated patterns.
There’s this really useful new feature on AAR about audiobooks being published each month!
I don’t have any knitting tips as I’m a crocheter — another great way to keep your hands busy — but a couple of the ways I keep my hands busy is by scrapbooking or making jewelry. Or like Rike said, doing sudoku or logic puzzles.
As several of the other posters mentioned, I’ve found exercise to be a great stress reliever. I enjoy evening walks, jogging, and step aerobics the most.
I have been knitting since I was a young child. My grandmother taught me and now I am teaching my granddaughters. I knit and watch TV all the time and have even been known to work on a simple scarf in the movies. When flying, and even at home, I knit on a bamboo circular needle and haven’t been questioned or had it confiscated. . As LinnieGay says, I also find that yoga is wonderful for reducing anxiety as is meditation. And a good funny romance also helps.
I tried to learn to knit years ago, but just couldn’t get the knack of it. Part of the reason might be that my mother was trying to teach me, and she was left-handed! Needless to say, that meant that everything I tried to do came out backwards! I had better success with needlepoint, which I picked up again last year after a 25-year hiatus. I go to classes twice a week at one of the few shops in my area that specializes in needlepoint. I like it because it’s a “hands-on” activity that can be done while watching TV–UNLESS you’re doing a complicated type of stitch! :-)
I love to knit, and it is a good way to keep your hands busy. In addition to scarves you can do throws, which also keep you warm as they get longer.
I do a bit of cross-stitch, and you can actually make some cute bookmarks to give as gifts for people.
My main way to relieve stress/anxiety is exercise. I find yoga to be very helpful, but also just walking long and hard.
Good luck!
I knit and do cross-stitch embroidery (borders on towels, with names or images, also make good presents). When I watch TV and don’t find it too engrossing, I do a lot of sudoku and other mathematical puzzles.
The best self-knit present in my experience are socks. Always useful, they don’t take as long as a sweater!
As for dealing with stress, I find taking a walk or doing autogenic training useful. For the latter, you’d need to take a class to learn it, but then you can do it on your own. And I find bookbinding and creating boxes out of cardboard and colored paper most relaxing. So maybe a hobby like that, working with your hands only, might be helpful?