The Power of Yarn: How Crochet Can Enhance Your Wellbeing

Hello! I don't know about you, but in our fast-paced world, I often crave moments of peace and activities that will help to keep me calm & sane. I turn to crochet most in these times because I find the repetitive action so soothing. I've been looking into it, and there are so many ways in which crochet can enhance your wellbeing.

 

Stress Relief and Relaxation:

The rhythmic motions of crocheting – the turning of the yarn, the steady flow of the stitches – have a calming effect. It allows our worries fade away and our focus sharpens. This meditative quality can significantly reduce stress & anxiety, leaving you feeling centred and relaxed.
 

In Need of a Confidence Boost?: 

As you master new techniques and witness your beautiful creations come to life, you'll feel a sense of accomplishment which will build confidence and fuel your creative side. Crochet allows you to express yourself through colour, texture and design, fostering a sense of pride and artistic fulfillment.
 

Improved Dexterity and Cognitive Function:

Crocheting requires fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. The repetitive motions of crocheting can improve your dexterity and the flexibility in your hands and fingers (especially beneficial as we age). Furthermore, crochet stimulates both sides of the brain which enhances concentration, memory retention & overall brain function.
 

A Sense of Community:

The crochet community is a  welcoming community. By joining online forums, attending local crochet groups, or even simply connecting with fellow crocheters on social media, you'll have a sense of belonging and connection.
Sharing your work, exchanging tips, and learning from others creates a mutually supportive network which can combat feelings of isolation & loneliness. I dedicated a whole blog post to this topic earlier in the year, if you missed that you can read it here.
 

The Joy of Giving:  

Crochet allows you to create beautiful, handmade gifts for loved ones. The simple act of gifting something you've made yourself expresses your love and care in a very real way. I know that my immediate family & friends truly appreciate all the wooly gifts I've given them over the years.
If you crochet for charity it allows you to contribute to a good cause and make a positive impact on the lives of other people.
 
So, next time you pick up your hook think about all the ways in which crochet is enhancing your overall wellbeing! It may be a simple craft but crochet has profound benefits for your mind and body.

Crochet Pattern Suggestions:

Here are a few pattern suggestions from me, all of which you can find by browsing my Ravelry store or my website. One of my favourite projects for relaxing has got to be a crochet blanket and I have 3 patterns available on my blog, the most popular one is Scrappy Blanket III.

If you're looking for a quicker project than a blanket, then I'd suggest my In The Groove cushion cover (above). It has an easy to remember pattern repeat which you can easily immerse yourself in. Find the pattern here on my website and here on Ravelry.

We're finally coming into some warmer weather here in the UK, so if you're after a mindful crochet pattern which will give you a pretty shawl as a result, look no further than my Lazy Days Wrap (below)! It has a simple, easy-to-remember repeat which is suitable from confident beginner up. Find the pattern here on my website and here on Ravelry.

I hope this has been a useful blog post for you, detailing just how good crochet is for our wellbeing! If you have questions about any of my patterns, please ask, I'm happy to help!

Until next time,

Marta xx

Organised October WiP-Along

 

Hello! Next month, over on Instagram, I'm co-hosting the Organised October WiP-Along and I'd love you to join us!

What's a WiP-Along? Well, firstly "WiP" stands for Work in Progress and is widely used on Instagram to refer to projects that are on the go. The "Along" refers to the community support of cheering each other on to finish these projects.

If you have a project (or 2, or 5, or 95!) on the go, then this challenge is for you! Dig out those WiPs and take a a look at what needs to be done to finish them. Do you need to order more yarn/fabric/paint etc? Do you need help choosing colours? Do you simply need to get your head down and work on it?

As an extra incentive, there are printables to go along with this too! Laura (goslingandplumb on Instagram) has created a monthly planner, a weekly planner and even a fun bingo sheet with rewards! They are FREE to download so if you're into pretty stationary you should definitely check them out!

my current WiP pile - a mix of crochet & knitting

There will be prompts to encourage you to share photos of your progress - Motivation Monday, Share Saturday etc. We would really like you to post photos of your progress firstly to give you something to look back on and secondly for others to leave you lovely comments, motivating you to continue.

As well as myself and Laura, the other hosts are Ruth (@laboursoflovecrochet), Hannah (@andintothetrees) and Nasreen (@sewcraftynaz). There will be to be tips from all the hosts on tackling your WiPs, covering topics such as setting achievable goals, not comparing yourself to others and challenging yourself.

This annual challenge started back in 2017 and it's not just yarny projects that are welcomed either - you could include sewing, reading, gardening, DIY, calligraphy ... anything creative really!

Are you going to join in? We'd love to see as many of you as possible finishing projects, getting creative, making new friends and cheering each other on, Look out for more details over on Instagram and next week there will be a blog post on Tuesday with some top tips for making the most of this challenge. If you'd like updates straight to your inbox please subscribe to my mailing list here.

If you have any questions, please hit reply to this email or drop me a DM over on Instagram (you know that's my fave hangout!)

Until next time,

Marta xx