Carol Chiarello
A new year has begun and many people are thinking about their resolutions for better eating and fitness. Why is knitting good to consider when we are part of an active community?
There are many scientific studies that have proven the benefits of crafting. Memory loss can be postponed. Also, knitting is neuroprotective and may reduce dementia by as much as 50 percent.
Knitting also can help to relieve depression and reduce anxiety. Some people report feeling happy after knitting. Your hands and your mind are busy and focused when you knit.
When you choose to build new skills, you can feel productive, as well as have the ability to create beauty through the self-expression of choosing the perfect yarn for your pattern.
Some of the ladies admit to knitting through insomnia. Soft, soothing, repetitive stitches can help wind you down to be ready for sleep. Others use their time in the car (passenger seat, of course), waiting in a doctor’s office, or waiting for your meal to be served in a restaurant to pick up their needles and not waste a moment. Traveling? Pack a project for that time in the airport.
Finally, working with fiber helps build friendships and community. There is support all around you. You can get ideas of things to make with your stash. You can laugh with others who also moved to sunny SaddleBrooke from the cold frozen tundra in the East or Midwest.
Looking to make new friends? Wanting to refresh an old skill? The Knit Wits knit for themselves and for charity. We offer several classes each year for learning new techniques. We take field trips to local yarn shops, we even have been known to go out to lunch together. If you would like to check us out, please visit the SaddleBrooke One Arts and Crafts Center, Room No. 4, on Wednesday mornings from 9:00-11:00 a.m.