As adults, we forget how relaxing crafting can be. Picking up your latest project at the end of a stressful day is an easy way to improve your mental wellbeing. With that in mind, we spoke to our favourite designers about the role that mental health plays in their crafting.

We're honoured to be working with Mental Health UK to promote mental wellbeing and support this charity's vital work.

A light in the dark

“I started crocheting five years ago when I became chronically ill and couldn’t do most of the things I used to be able to do. I often say that crochet saved my life, and while it may sound dramatic it really did help because I was no longer feeling as depressed. It stopped me focusing on all the things I couldn’t do, and I was now focussing on something that I could do. I also had something productive and creative to show for my day.”
Kylie Moleta, designer
Instagram: stitchedupcraft

"I got back into knitting at a time when I was really ill and I couldn't do anything. Days just bled into each other and I just felt so useless. Then, when I started knitting, I had something to show for my time. A few rows every day and suddenly I had a scarf! That made me feel a lot better."
Karie Westermann, designer
Instagram: kariebookish

“I learnt to knit as a child and returned to the craft when I was unwell in my 20s as a distraction while I was quarantining. After having my first child I found knitting and a little later I taught myself to crochet, it was crucial to my mental wellbeing. When you have small children you work so hard but there is never anything to show for all that work. A few rows of knitting or crochet each day that I could point at and say, “I did that today” made me feel like I existed. I think this would apply to any caring role or any time your job doesn’t have a measurable output, it’s really helpful.”
Joanne Scrace, designer
Instagram: thecrochetproj

Routine is key

“For me, the key to managing my own mental health seems to be having a dependable routine; and incorporating crafting time into that really helps. At times when everything seems overwhelming, tiny steps like crocheting or knitting one row of a project each morning can make a big difference to the day.

New challenges always feel huge at first but breaking them down into fragments helps us deal with them, so remembering that even the most complicated knitting still happens 'one stitch at a time' is a philosophy I try to apply to life in general.”
Michele Hazell, technical editor
Instagram: stixnstring

Keep it simple

“I always see my crafting time as a little bit of therapy, it takes me away from the stress of the everyday and I am able to just lose myself in my stitches. If I am doing a more complicated project I always like to have a nice simpler one on the go at the same time too. This way if I have had a long day and don’t really have the energy for my more complicated project I am able to pick up my simpler one and knit the stress of the day away.”
Chloe Birch, designer
Instagram: chloe_elizabeth_knitwear

Come home to crafting

"As for quite a few crafters, knitting began as a fun hobby for me, but I realised over time that it became a useful mindful practice in my daily life. The patience of stitch by stitch craftwork, the counting and concentration, the creative release in thinking about patterns and colours and something outside of my own head – knitting can sooth my overactive brain in ways I never anticipated.

When I feel the world pressing in, often I realise that it's been a while since I had something on my needles, that I've somehow let my knitting fall to the side in the busyness of work and family obligations. When I cast on another project or find a forgotten work-in-progress to add a few rows to, it's like a giant sigh of relief, a coming home to myself and creativity. Knit, knit, knit me together again."
Tricia Gilbert, technical editor
Instagram: electronjamknits

Finding comfort

“Crafting has been for me an activity that has aided relaxation, mindfulness and better health. After many years spent in a stressful career, I was prescribed medication for elevated blood pressure and I was continually overanxious with an overactive mind that never stopped thinking. Returning to knitting had many benefits for me.

Firstly, I learned to be calmer and in the moment and my mind slowed down as I placed needles into yarn and produced fabric that eventually became garments or accessories (highly satisfying outcomes that made me feel proud and this raised my self esteem). Additionally, I discovered that knitting helped me to stay on the lowest medication for my condition as my body was more relaxed and I was able to moderate my blood pressure better.

Especially, during the lockdown, I have been inspired to design and knit less-complex patterns as the repetitive nature of long sections of stocking stitch or garter stitch require less brain work. I find that when I am knitting I don't have time to worry about things I have no control over and so knitting has been a great comfort during the current period of isolation.”
Sylvia Watts-Cherry, designer
Instagram: withcherriesontoptoo

Have a goal

“One of my major self-care items is having a goal. I knit and crochet because it helps me to have an achievable goal. I tend to prefer chunky and super chunky yarn simply because I can meet that goal faster! I wanted a winter set in mustard because I don't own much 'winter wear' and I don't own a single thing in mustard and it's the most popular shade! So I sat down with our pattern proofer and she helped me 'design' my own winter set according to my measurements. It has a hat, a snood, a scarf, and gloves – all matching!

My favourite mental health tip at the moment is to notice when things make me happy. They can be big things or little things. Snow in particular absolutely delights me, so I'm treating myself kindly and going out in it when I can. Wearing my winter set in mustard makes me feel accomplished and snuggly warm, so I wear it when it's cold out. Seeing my partner wear the jumper I made him makes me feel loved and secure.”
Morgan from King Cole Yarn
Instagram: kingcoleltd

We're working with Mental Health UK to promote crafting for mental wellbeing.
Find more about mental wellbeing on CraftWorld here.

Mindful Mandalas

If you are looking for beautiful crochet patterns to loose yourself in the next time you want to find a sense of calm, Issue 78 of Crochet Now comes with an exclusive book of mindful mandalas to crochet.

Get a taster of this book with this FREE CROCHET PATTERN.

Buy the digital edition to get the complete book, featuring 6 stunning crochet designs.

Download FREE patterns on CraftWorld

Looking to unwind?

This month, we are focusing on crafting ourselves calm in Knit Now magazine. We've got plenty of cheerful makes to help you unwind - download your copy today!