OT - Knitting should be prescribed on NHS to lower blood pressure, reduce depression and slow dementia

[StitchFairy]

Sorry if this is too off topic for this forum, but it's a subject dear to my heart I am soooo pleased to see this article in yesterday's Telegraph.

When I was really ill with hypothyroidism, I struggled to knit because of the pins and needles, numbness in fingers, stiff shoulder muscles etc. Brain fog prevented me from following anything but the simplest of patterns and I felt devastated at not being able to knit or do many other things I'd always been able to do before. Proof that I was recovering came when I managed to start knitting, crocheting and sewing again.

According to the article,

"...knitting is as relaxing as yoga, distracts from chronic pain, such as arthritis, boosts wellbeing, brings down blood pressure and keeps the mind sharp."

Here's another extract

“We found a surprisingly large body of research showing the health benefits of knitting. What is more surprising is how little known the research is,” added Dame Hilary.

“Knitting is often dismissed or derided as old-fashioned but it should be promoted because of its health-giving qualities.

“Every GP appointment costs around £45 but we believe knitting could help prevent people needing to visit the doctor so much, and help them feel happier, less isolated, and more healthy.”

The report also calls for knitting to be taught in schools.

telegraph.co.uk/science/201...

[Rmichelle]

Interesting-my 13 year old does knitting in her school, they are all taught it because of the relaxing benefits.😊 even i had a little go and must say it is quite soothing.xx

[StitchFairy in reply to Rmichelle]

Great to hear your daughter's school recognises the benefits. Do the boys get taught as well? If not, then they should

[Rmichelle in reply to StitchFairy]

Yes and the boys-every friday is knitt day!! For 1 hour.x

[Fruitandnutcase in reply to StitchFairy]

I remember many years ago the grandson of one of my mother’s friends pretty much got himself through Oxford Uni by raising extra money by knitting Aran sweaters. He was an incredibly clever boy from a very large and not well off working class Glasgow family. I imagine he must have had some sort of scholarship too.

It must have happened fifty to sixty years ago and was very unusual at the time. I imagine I was more impressed with him knitting the Aran jerseys than him getting into Oxford. Not because he was a boy but because I’d had horrendous difficulty with turning the heel on the socks I was meant to be knitting in handwork class. I can picture them still even though I’m 70, horrid grey wool that had been ripped out over and over again, I was ’knitting’ them on four needles, total nightmare for an eleven year old believe me.

[Tightlippedgirl1]

Haven't knitted since primary school 😂. One plain. One pearl.etc😆

[StitchFairy in reply to Tightlippedgirl1]

Maybe time to revisit and discover the benefits?

[crabapple]

Hi StichFairy. Should have guessed from the name! I run a Knit and Natter group so immediately focused when I spotted your post. Have a look at these links

ukhandknitting.com/news/kni...

stitchlinks.com/research.html

paincommunitycentre.org/art...

[StitchFairy in reply to crabapple]

Knit and Natter groups are becoming increasingly popular I believe. Thanks for the links... they'll make a change from reading thyroid papers

[crabapple in reply to StitchFairy]

When I started it I advertised "Knit and Natter? Stitch and Bitch? Ladies Knitting Circle? Come along and find out." WE then chose K & N though I did have someone later say they'd have joined a S & B.

And yes, the ability to knit (or crochet or sew etc) is badly effected by thyroid status.

Let me know what you think when you've had a look at the links

[Rmichelle in reply to crabapple]

Stitch and bitch. Ha-great.😆.xx

[Tightlippedgirl1 in reply to Rmichelle]

Hmm I know plenty of women@ work do that!🤐

[Rmichelle in reply to Tightlippedgirl1]

Oh god yes!!😨

[Tightlippedgirl1 in reply to Rmichelle]

Think they use claws though not needle's 🤐

[Baobabs]

Fantastic hobby and with health benefits also? Go girl, I just love knitting! May appear off topic to some but bang on the money for me.

[StitchFairy in reply to Baobabs]

Judging by the abundance of online wool shops, we're not the only ones to love knitting! Mind you, I have to confess to starting more projects than I finish these days. 🙃

[Baobabs]

No worries, whatever lights your candle!

[Fruitandnutcase]

I would love to knit but I always end up with fibrositis in my shoulders after a little while - must be the inflammatory arthritis to blame. It’s a shame because I come from a family of knitters and I’d love to join a knit and natter group, I can crochet after a fashion but I’d love t knit. My mother used to churn out Aran sweaters by the dozen and her sister used to knit sweaters without using patterns.

I’ve finally trained myself to stop drooling over knitting wools and definitely to stop buying wool because I know in my heart of hearts I just won’t manage to finish anything. I even ripped a knitting pattern out of a magaz8ne a couple of weeks ago then realised it was never going to happen and binned it. So I’m envious of all you happy knitters out there.

[The_will_of_Jill in reply to Fruitandnutcase]

🙁

[crabapple in reply to Fruitandnutcase]

I get the training yourself bit. It's walking away with a little bit of heartbreak.

Forgive me if you've thought of this, but is there a charity knitting group nearby? They usually make small items. But also experience is welcome when someone gets stuck and someone has to finish or unravel (unfinished) donated items or dye the yarn because in some cultures white is for mourning.

I am a little evangelical about knitting - see my post to Baobabs below.

[humanbean]

I used to knit. Sadly I had to give up when the pain in my shoulders became so severe I couldn't bear it any more.

[The_will_of_Jill in reply to humanbean]

😕

[Baobabs]

Wow ....... Look at all the would be knitters oozing out of the wood work. Great stuff!

[Baobabs]

Hi Girls, let's knit a set of ace Endo's?

[Rmichelle in reply to Baobabs]

That pic crabapple sent is great!!.xx

[Baobabs in reply to Rmichelle]

Yes but he looks like he doesn't know what he's doing ........................ Oh that's about right!

[Rmichelle in reply to Baobabs]

Lol. Yes the vacant look and blah blah blah!!. It sooo good to have a laugh-its a medicine.xx

[crabapple]

Will this one do?

alandart.co.uk/product/all-...

Meant for Baobabs

[Rmichelle in reply to crabapple]

Love it!!!! So funny.😅😅😅

[Baobabs in reply to crabapple]

Love, love, love it!

[Baobabs]

StitchFairy what have you started?

[Angel_of_the_North]

I prefer crochet, but have you noticed how hard it is to get real wool as opposed to synthetic stuff?.

[Baobabs in reply to Angel_of_the_North]

PLEASE, don't 'wind' me up! My thoughts exactly.

[Angel_of_the_North in reply to Baobabs]

I'm hooked ...

[crabapple in reply to Angel_of_the_North]

Perhaps you could ask for private messages?