A Podcast That Includes Research on Mental Health and Knitting!
I was blown away when I learned a clinical psychologist, Dr. Mia Hobbs, hosts a podcast about the connection between mental health and knitting. She does what I would love to do – spends time interviewing others about their experiences with mental health benefits from the craft. Her Creative Restoration website linked below, includes an audio course called “Self-Care: One Stitch at a Time.”
Another video I stumbled upon at the intersection of mental health benefits of knitting and public health is a presentation by a favorite designer, Jennifer Berg, aka Native Knitter. I’ve made two of her hats and her Sheep Camp Sweater. I loved seeing her slides, and she also teaches beginning knitting in the English style or throwing (versus the Continental or German knitting that I learned). I’ll insert it here:
Notes for Waterwoman Knits Podcast Episode 7
My guest today is my niece, Annie, who a few months ago took up knitting for the first time after years of crochet. Now, I did not teach her to knit, though I would have loved to. Instead, she taught herself via YouTube, and what was the first thing she made? Socks! And Lace! I am blown away by her ambitious and accomplished work.
We chat a bit about mental health and knitting at the end, about how it helps each of us.
Apologies to all for audio glitches as we hold a mic on a chopstick and forget that swinging it around and not holding it in front of the person speaking are two not great things to do. Baby steps to glory! Obtaining a mic and tripod are first steps.
Final moments after Annie and I talk include a minute or so of my celebration among trees after learning results of my surgery two weeks ago were benign. And I will not need another surgery. Standing among dancing trees is my favorite way to celebrate. Any cancer survivor knows how beautiful moments like this are.
Mentions in the vlog:
Kalimera Mosaic Crochet Blanket – Claire Musson
Hello From My Colors – Jessie Maed Designs
Tesserae Shawl – Sanni Pauliina
Waterwoman Knits 
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