Ayşe Sude Aydın
There are some common misunderstandings such as the idea that knitting and crocheting are for grannies and that all you can make is a boring sweater. Not at all! These ideas are definitely not true. Young people can thrive in crafting with yarn as well and you would be surprised at how creative young girls and boys can get at these crafts. Let me show you what we can make out of a chunk of yarn, that’s anything but boring!
(photos were added from pinterest)
Knitting and crocheting became more popular among young people around 2020. That was during the lockdown. We were in our homes and we suddenly had more free time than we knew what to do with. So we got creative. We calmed our minds by keeping our hands busy and made unique products. And when something becomes popular, it’s easier than ever to learn how to do it. There are millions of tutorials for you on the internet whether you are a beginner or professional. You can start anytime you want! All you need is just some yarn, a hook or needles and a spark of imagination!
Social Side of Yarn Crafts
Yarn crafts aren’t just creative, they’re also a great way to connect with others. They have their own communities everywhere. The most familiar example is our mothers and grannies crafting together over a cup of tea. But did you know there are school clubs for yarn crafts? Many universities like Boğaziçi, METU, ITU, and Mimar Sinan even have dedicated yarn craft clubs to bring people who want to chat and craft together. And sometimes, these clubs in different universities get together to crochet and knit! And when there are people in need, these people even got together to help them with their creations. There was a campaign to make scarves and hats for kids in Hatay after the earthquake. It was quite heartwarming to see a bunch of students take action and offer help for those who need it.
Another way to connect with people over hook and needle crafts is that you can gift your work to your loved ones. As we mentioned, every creation of yarn is unique and what makes a better gift than a handcrafted one? A gift of yarn crafts would mean that you put real effort and time into making that gift. It would be well-thought and so sweet.
Yarn Crafts and Health
Now that we know what to make out of yarn by knitting and crocheting and what kind of benefits it has in social settings, it is time to learn about its various benefits on health.
(According to KnitandNote’s article ’10 Health Benefits of Knitting’…)
- The first of these benefits is that, crafting with yarn reduces stress and anxiety by their repetitive motions which resembles meditation or yoga. It lowers our heart rate and allows us to relax.
- Another one of these benefits is that knitting stimulates brain function and protects against cognitive decline. Research supports that knitting improves memory, attention, and problem-solving skills, and enhances cognitive flexibility. Thus, reduces the risk of cognitive decline. That’s why, knitting is suggested to Alzheimer’s and dementia patients.
- Yarn crafting, also enhances problem solving skills by requiring focus and attention to detail while following a pattern or fixing mistakes which strengthens problem-solving skills.
- Like we said, knitting has tons of benefits on health, but the last one I want to mention is that yarn crafting boosts cognitive skills and memory by requiring remembrance of patterns, row counting and making adjustments which all engage the brain. So it is safe to say that yarn crafting keeps the mind young!
In conclusion, against the common beliefs, crafting with yarn is not exclusively for older people, and no, it doesn’t have to be boring! If you want to put forth your creativity, nurture your brain with benefits of knitting, and get the satisfaction of producing a unique product with your hands, crafting with yarn is the perfect hobby for you! You can join the kind and loving community of knitters and crocheters anytime you want!
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