Why I Knit

This month we are discussing a paper published in Scientific Reports (part of the prestigious Nature group of peer-reviewed scientific journals) about the impact of crochet on attention.You can read the full paper here.This is a study by neurologists into how crochet impacts on attentional networks. It combines brain imaging with an interesting experimental design. It is a complex read, involving a lot of neuro-speak but we've tried to summarise it in a way that hopefully makes it easy to understand the methods and findings. We have also created a blog to help illustrate the methods and design used, which you can find here.Citation: Rossi Sebastiano, D., Muscio, C., Duran, D. et al. Crochet increases attention through a requiring motor skill learning. Sci Rep 15, 4141 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-88777-9-------------

I am delighted to announce that Series 8 will be live next month!I have had some really interesting conversations with my guests this series and I can't wait to share them with you.In the meantime, if you'd like to be kept up to date on all the latest news you can sign up to the Creative Restoration Newsletter which is a montly round up of all our events, workshops, podcasts and blogs, along with an update on our own knitting projects!You can sign up here: creative restoration

In our first book club episode, Paula and Mia each discuss a book they have read on the subject of the psychology of craft.Paula has read 'Craftfulness' by Arzu Tahsin and Rosemary DavidsonMia has read 'Craft Psychology' by Dr Anne KirketerpIf you'd like to learn more about how to use knitting for your self-care, check out our course Self-Care One Stitch at a Time.Here's how to stay in touch:Sign up to the Creative Restoration newletter hereFollow Mia on Instagram: @knittingistherapeuticFollow Paula on LinkedIn here

Join Paula and I as we answer your questions about the field of knitting and mental health. Apologies that the audio quality isn't as good as usual for this episode, we tried out a new method of recording and had a few technical issues.We'll be back at the end of the month with a Book Club episode!If you'd like to learn more about how to use knitting for your self-care, check out our course Self-Care One Stitch at a Time.Here's how to stay in touch:Sign up to the Creative Restoration newletter hereFollow Mia on Instagram: @knittingistherapeuticFollow Paula on LinkedIn here

This month Dr Paula Redmond and I discuss another research paper into knitting and mental health.The paper we discuss is: Joanna Nordstrand, A. Birgitta Gunnarsson & Greta HäggblomKronlöf (2024) Promoting health through yarncraft: Experiences of an online knitting group living with mental illness, Journal of Occupational Science, 31:3, 504-515, The full text of this article is available here: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/14427591.2023.2292281#abstractIf you'd like to learn more about how to use knitting for your self-care, check out our course Self-Care One Stitch at a Time.Here's how to stay in touch:Sign up to the Creative Restoration newletter hereFollow Mia on Instagram: @knittingistherapeuticFollow Paula on LinkedIn here

This is our second bonus episode for anyone wanting to know or read more about the research into how knitting can benefit our mental well-being. Fellow clinical psychologist and knitter, Dr Paula Redmond and I will be reading one research paper a month and discussing it in our journal club podcast. We are also planning a Question an Answer episode, so if you have any questions about the research into knitting and mental health or how we use knitting in our work please do email me on mia@therapeuticknitting.org to let me know and we'll try to include as many as we can.This month we are discussing: Riley J, Corkhill B, Morris C. The Benefits of Knitting for Personal and Social Wellbeing in Adulthood: Findings from an International Survey. British Journal of Occupational Therapy. 2013;76(2):50-57. Unfortunately the full article isn't available for free, but options for access are hereI refer to the interview with Betsan Corkhill which you can listen to here: Betsan CorkhillIf you'd like to learn more about how to use knitting for your self-care, check out our course Self-Care One Stitch at a Time.Here's how to stay in touch:Sign up to the Creative Restoration newletter hereFollow Mia on Instagram: @knittingistherapeuticFollow Paula on LinkedIn here

This is a bonus episode for anyone wanting to know or read more about the research into how knitting can benefit our mental well-being. Fellow clinical psychologist and knitter, Dr Paula Redmond and I will be reading one research paper a month and discussing it in our journal club podcast. This month we are discussing Healing Stitches: a scoping review of the impact of needlcraft on mental health and well-being. The full-text of this article is available here: Healing StitchesI refer to the interview with Betsan Corkhill which you can listen to here: Betsan CorkhillIf you'd like to learn more about how to use knitting for your self-care, check out our course Self-Care One Stitch at a Time.Here's how to stay in touch:Sign up to the Creative Restoration newletter hereFollow Mia on Instagram: @knittingistherapeuticFollow Paula on LinkedIn here

Have you ever stressed yourself our by overcommitting to gift knitting? Do you end up being exhausted by the festive season? Then we have a bonus episode for you! Subscribe to the Creative Restoration newletter here to receive our bonus episode as soon as it is released on 14th November to help you keep your self-care on track during Christmas, and continue to use knitting to benefit your mental wellbeing.This is the final episode in series 7 - thank you so much for listening!Joining me this week is Kristina LaVenia who is a senior lecturer in leadership at the University of Canterbury in Christchurch, New Zealand. She has collaborated with Project Knitwell on research delivering knitting workshops for staff in educational settings.Kristina speaks about her own journey using knitting throughout the pandemic, and her experience of offering this as an intervention to others.You can follow Kristina on Instagram here: @klaveniaMia HobbsFind out about our NEW Audio Course Self-Care One Stitch at a TimeSign up to the newsletter to be the first to know about new episodes: www.therapeuticknitting.orgInstagram: @knittingistherapeutic

Carole Wyatt is a cancer doctor who has been diagnosed with advanced breast cancer. She speaks about using knitting to cope with the difficult days, and also to create a handknitted legacy to pass down to her future grandchildren. Mia HobbsFind out about our NEW Audio Course Self-Care One Stitch at a TimeSign up to the newsletter to be the first to know about new episodes: www.therapeuticknitting.orgInstagram: @knittingistherapeuticMentioned in this episode:Self-Care One Stitch at a Time

Tamanna is a nurse practioner and multi-crafter who works in the field of mental health. Tamanna joins me to speak about her own journey to knitting, sewing and embroidery, how this connects her to family traditions and her values of sustainability and ethical production of clothing.She also speaks about she uses fibre arts to benefit the mental health of herself and others.Tamanna RahmanInstagram: @slow.work.sewingWebsite: slow.work.sewingMia HobbsFind out about our NEW Audio Course Self-Care One Stitch at a TimeSign up to the newsletter to be the first to know about new episodes: www.therapeuticknitting.orgInstagram: @knittingistherapeuticMentioned in this episode:Self-Care One Stitch at a Time

Whitney is a plus size knitter and YouTuber who is passionate about taking back the power to create clothes she loves in colours she enjoys. She speaks about how knitting has helped her to love the body she has, rather than feel that she to change her body to fit the clothes she can buy.Whitney SwinimerWhitney's website: knittedbywhitneyYouTube: Knitted by WhitneyWhitney's article on how knitting helped her to fall in love with her bodyInstagram: @knittedbywhitneyMia HobbsFind out about our NEW Audio Course Self-Care One Stitch at a TimeSign up to the newsletter to be the first to know about new episodes: www.therapeuticknitting.orgInstagram: @knittingistherapeuticMentioned in this episode:Self-Care One Stitch at a Time

Elena Lo Presti is the founder and director of Craft Forward, which is a not-for-profit organisation that provides accessible, creative, experiences suitable for everyone, regardless of their skills and background. Their aim is to disrupt the current elitism within the arts and crafts world and open creativity to all through workshops with a clear social impact.Elena joins me to speak about her own personal story learning to knit as a way of connecting with her grandmother during the pandemic, and tells the story of how she turned this new passion into Craft Forward.Craft ForwardWebsite: https://craftforward.com/ To donate to the Blankets for London campaign (before 10th November 2024): Blankets for LondonInstagram: @craft_forwardMia HobbsFind out about our NEW Audio Course Self-Care One Stitch at a TimeSign up to the newsletter to be the first to know about new episodes: www.therapeuticknitting.orgInstagram: @knittingistherapeuticMentioned in this episode:Self-Care One Stitch at a Time

Christina Socorro Yovovich is a writer, knitter and multi-crafter. Christina speaks about how since being diagnosed with bipolar disorder, she had struggled to access joy without worrying about whether this was a sign that she was becoming unwell. She explains how returning to knitting has allowed her to access a safe and more grounded form of joy in her daily life.Christina Socorro Yovovichwebsite: Christina Socorro YovovichYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DesertAgaveFiberArts .Instagram: @cyovovichMia HobbsFind out about our NEW Audio Course Self-Care One Stitch at a TimeSign up to the newsletter to be the first to know about new episodes: www.therapeuticknitting.orgInstagram: @knittingistherapeuticMentioned in this episode:Self-Care One Stitch at a Time

Victoria Marchant is an inclusive knitwear designer who puts size inclusivity at the heart of all her designs. Her latest design, the Padstow Cardigan will be released on October 18th.Victoria MarchantWebsite: www.victoriamarchantknits.comInstagram: @victoriamarchantknitsMia HobbsFind out about our NEW Audio Course Self-Care One Stitch at a TimeSign up to the newsletter to be the first to know about new episodes: www.therapeuticknitting.orgInstagram: @knittingistherapeuticMentioned in this episode:Self-Care One Stitch at a Time

Samantha Moore is a filmmaker and animator who directed the BAFTA nominated animated film 'Visible Mending' which is about the ways we repair ourselves through knitting. If you haven't seen Sam's brilliant film, you can watch the film at Sam's Vimeo channel here: Visible MendingFollow Sam on Instagram: @sammooreanimateMia HobbsFind out about our NEW Audio Course Self-Care One Stitch at a TimeSign up to the newsletter to be the first to know about new episodes: www.therapeuticknitting.orgInstagram: @knittingistherapeuticMentioned in this episode:Self-Care One Stitch at a Time

In this bonus episode Dr Claire Plumbly, Clinical Psychologist and EMDR specialist joins me to discuss what the theory behind EMDR can tell us about why we find the hand movements of knitting so therapeutic.Claire PlumblyBuy her book: https://www.drclaireplumbly.com/burnout-bookwww.drclaireplumbly.comInstagram: @drclaireplumblyMia HobbsFind out about our NEW Audio Course Self-Care One Stitch at a TimeSign up to the newsletter to be the first to know about new episodes: www.therapeuticknitting.orgInstagram: @knittingistherapeutic

Thanks so much for your questions for the Q&A episode, it has been so interesting to be asked such great questions.Mia HobbsFind out more at my website: www.therapeuticknitting.orgFollow me on Instagram: @knittingistherapeutic

For the final episode of series 6 I am joined by Elizabeth Hammond, also known as The Knitchen on Instagram.Elizabeth describes herself as a knitter, test knitter and dabbling designer. She joins me to speak about turning to knitting to help with her mental health and also during her recovery from a car accident.Thanks so much for listening to the 6th series of the podcast - we have now reached an incredible 100,000 downloads! To celebrate this milestone I am recording a Q&A episode - if you have a question please get in touch!ElizabethInstagram: @theknitchenRavelry: Elizabeth HammondMia HobbsFind out more at my website: www.therapeuticknitting.orgFollow me on Instagram: @knittingistherapeutic

Ellen describes herself a tech editor and occasional designer who identifies as queer and neurodivergent.She speaks about how knitting feeds her inner engineer and allows her to use some skills that she might otherwise have explored in her career. She also talks about the ways in which knitting helps her to connect to family, friends and a new community.EllenWebsite: www.knithow.comInstagram: @knithowMia HobbsFind out more at my website: www.therapeuticknitting.orgFollow me on Instagram: @knittingistherapeutic

Madison Siegel joins me this week to speak about using knitting as a mindful practice to help her to step back from and notice her thoughts rather than be caught up in them.She speaks about having a diagnosis of ADHD and feeling anxious after the birth of her second child, and how knitting has been part of finding balance and allowing herself to take up space.Madison doesn't have a public Instagram account.Mia HobbsFind out more at my website: www.therapeuticknitting.orgFollow me on Instagram: @knittingistherapeutic

Susie Bass is a researcher studying a PHD in the relationship between power, identity and mental health through craft. Susie is a knitter and multi-crafter and during our discussion she speaks about how craft has been a common thread which has helped her to process traumatic events in her life, and to reconstruct herself afterwards.CONTENT WARNING: During our conversation Susie speaks about losing a baby and experiencing a sexual assault. She also speaks about the process of being diagnosed with ADHD and Autism in adulthood.Susie BassInstagram: @susiebass_anyhow for links to Susie's workMia HobbsFind out more at my website: www.therapeuticknitting.orgFollow me on Instagram: @knittingistherapeutic

Fran is a bear maker and multi-crafter who is originally from the UK but now lives in the Pyrenees mountains of France. Fran speaks about how craft has helped to negotiate living with chronic illness and a diagnosis of bipolar disorder.FranWebsite: Woollenhearted.comInstagram: @woollenheartedMia HobbsFind out more at my website: www.therapeuticknitting.orgFollow me on Instagram: @knittingistherapeutic

The Loose Ends Project aims to ease grief, create community, and inspire generosity by matching volunteer handwork finishers with projects people have left unfinished due to death or disability. The founders, Masey and Jen join me to discuss their own personal relationships with knitting and the story of how they created the Loose Ends Project.Loose EndsFind out more at their website: www.looseendsproject.orgFollow them on Instagram: @looseendsprojectMia HobbsFind out more at my website: www.therapeuticknitting.orgFollow me on Instagram: @knittingistherapeutic

The Why I Knit Podcast is back with series 6 starting on 4th January 2024!Thanks to everyone who has been in touch to ask when the new episodes are coming out - I look forward to sharing 6 more conversations with you from 4th January.MiaWebsite: therapeuticknitting.orgPatreon: patreon.com/therpeuticknittingInstagram: @knittingistherapeutic

Kathryn Vercillo is a writer and crafter who specialises in the intersection between art and mental health. I particularly loved Kathryn's focus on her relationship with craft being something that is constantly evolving, and her celebration of every part of the process.Kathryn speaks about crochet has helped save her life during periods of depression, and also talks about how she used crochet to help her through the grief following her friend's death through suicide.Kathryn Vercillo Instagram @createmefreeSubstack: https://createmefree.substack.com/Books: https://www.amazon.com/Kathryn-Vercillo/e/B001JPC6IOMiaMiaWebsite: therapeuticknitting.orgPatreon: patreon.com/therpeuticknittingInstagram: @knittingistherapeutic

Jessica Hendrickson is the Creative Design Director at Lion Brand Yarn. As a teenager she had such a strong desire to make and wear her own clothes, that she told her parents she had to attend a school without a uniform. She continues to use knitting and crochet to express her identity, but over time she has also used them to help find her way through post-natal depression and to help her focus. Jessica speaks about how she manages her desire to knit all the things as quickly as possible, but also how her constant drive for new experiences is a superpower in her role as Design Director which requires her to come up with new designs and use new yarns on a daily basis.Jessica and Lion Brand YarnWebiste: Lion Brand Yarn Tom Daley's “Made With Love Collection," which will beavailable for purchase in September 2023 at Michaels and on LionBrand.com.Instagram: @lionbrandyarn @jesssicaleee @madewithlovebytomdaleyMiaWebsite: therapeuticknitting.orgPatreon: patreon.com/therpeuticknittingInstagram: @knittingistherapeutic

Dr Kaman Hansford is a GP who joined us on one of our retreats for healthcare professionals. She has lived experience of using mental health services and knitting is now a crucial part of her wellbeing plan.Kaman speaks about feeling that she can use knitting as an early warning sign if her mental health is deteriorating, and also that it is one of the tools she uses daily to access some calm.I also really valued Kaman's perspective on using knitting as a way of becoming more self-compassionate.Kaman is not on social media, so if you have any comments on this episode I am very happy to pass them on!MiaMiaWebsite: therapeuticknitting.orgPatreon: patreon.com/therpeuticknittingInstagram: @knittingistherapeutic

Kesha Evans learned to knit 11 years ago when her son was born prematurely and was in the NICU. She was approached by Carol Caparosa from Project Knitwell who offered to teach her to knit. Despite not considering herself creative at all, Kesha agreed to learn and ended up feeling that the visits from Carol were as important to her as those of the doctors and nurses.Today Kesha is on the board at Project Knitwell and I interviewed her as part of their Knitathon in March 2023. Project Knitwell's team of volunteers go into hospitals, schools and community settings to offer knitting as a wellness tool to people at challenging times of their lives.This interview was one of several online sessions recorded during the Knitathon - you can access these recordings by donating online - find out more at Project Knitwell KnitathonProject KnitwellWebsite: projectknitwell.orgInstagram: @projectknitwellMiaWebsite: therapeuticknitting.orgPatreon: patreon.com/therpeuticknittingInstagram: @knittingistherapeutic

Jude generously joined me to speak about how he found knitting and the knitting community during a difficult time, and how knitting was a crucial part of putting himself back together. He also speaks about the death of his parents last year, and how he continues to feel connected to them both through the memories held in knitted items, and also in the other new hobbies and skills that Jude has discovered more recently.Jude also dyes beautiful yarn and by coincidence I realised I was wearing a pair of socks knit in Stranded yarn during our interview, bought 5 years previously at Unravel festival!JudeStranded Dyeworks onlineInstagram: @strandeddyeworksStranded Podcast on YouTube: Stranded PodcastMiaWebsite: www.therapeuticknitting.orgSupport the podcast on PatreonInstagram: @knittingistherapeutic

Dr Shona Mason is a dentist and teacher who encourages her students to develop interests outside of dentistry to prevent burnout and encourage them to have a positive work-life balance. As part of this mission she runs a knitting group for students, one of whom got in touch with me and suggested that she'd make a great interviewee for the podcast!ShonaInstagram: @shonamasonmakesMiaWebsite: Therapeuticknitting.orgSupport the podcast by donating on Patreon Instagram: @knittingistherapeutic

I am so sorry that it has taken much longer than planned for Series 5! However I am pleased to announce that episode one will be available this Thursday 15th June.In the meantime you can listen to all the previous episodes here or on your favourite podcast app.

It was a joy to spend time with Marceline to hear her reflections on her relationship with knitting, how this has changed over time, and how she aims to be more intentional in her making.Marceline speaks about tuning in to what she needs from her crafts at a given time in her life, and how connecting to 'the old way' of doing things has helped her to navigate the times when something needs to be unravelled.Marcelinehey BrownBerry YouTube channel: heyBrownBerryInstagram: @heybrownberryEtsy: heybrownberryRavelry: heybrownberryMiaWebsite: www.therapeuticknitting.orgPatreon: WhyIKnitInstagram: @knittingistherapeutic

Andrea is a physical therapist and passionate knitter who is perfectly placed to provide professional advice on what to do when we suffer pain when knitting, and how to prevent it in future. Andrea speaks about how she returned to knitting as a new mum, and how it helped her to find a few minutes each day to do something for herself. She also shares her reflections as a physiotherapist on her important role in helping crafters to find ways of accessing their crafts in a sustainable way.AndreaWebsite: Andrea LuiInstagram: @theknittingptPatreon: The Knitting PTYoutube: The Knitting PTMiaWebsite: Podcast | Why I Knit Podcast (therapeuticknitting.org)Patreon: Why I Knit PatreonInstagram: @knittingistherapeutic

Kaleb decided to return to knitting during the pandemic as a way of managing anxiety and to feel connected to his mum who had been a prolific knitter. Kaleb speaks about finding that knitting allowed them to slow down, feel calmer and connected to a different community of people.KalebInstagram: @all_things_kalebMiaWebsite: www.therapeuticknitting.orgPatreon: Why I KnitInstagram: @knittingistherapeutic

I knew I wanted to interview Lisa for the podcast when I heard her speaking about her experience of having ADHD on Irina Shaar's 'Humans of Westknits' series during the recent Westknits mystery knit along.As someone who isn't great at just sitting and watching TV or listening to something, I feel knitting improves my ability to sit and focus and was interested to hear how Lisa felt about this. Lisa also speaks about her lifelong love of colour; not always wanting to wear the things she wants to knit; and being someone who always aims to be the best at the things she does.

Ailie hosts the Thoughtful Knitter YouTube channel. She speaks about returning to knitting in recent years as her health problems meant that she wasn't able to connect with friends and family in the same way.Ailie speaks about her journey from a slightly reluctant knitter to someone who knits every day and focuses more on the process than the end product. AilieYouTube: The Thoughtful KnitterInstagram: The Thoughtful KnitterMiaWebsite: www.therapeuticknitting.orgPatreon: Why I KnitInstagram: @knittingistherapeutic

You can tell by the way Irina Shaar interviews knitters and other fibre artists that she loves connecting with people and finding out how they tick, so it was brilliant to hear her story and to get the chance to find out what she has learned from interviewing hundreds of knitters about their craft.IrinaYou can watch Fiberchats on YouTube here: FiberchatsInstagram: @FiberchatsMiaWebsite: www.therapeuticknitting.orgPatreon: Why I KnitInstagram: @knittingistherapeutic

Ellen is a pretty inspiring 16 year old! She sews and knits and already seems to have figured out how to use these crafts intentionally to manage the times when she is struggling with low mood or anxiety. She also speaks about how craft helps her connect to family members and has been passed down through the generations in her family.EllenInstagram: @sewandinspireEtsy shop: Sew and inspireMiaWebsite: therapeuticknitting.orgPatreon for healthcare workers: Why I KnitInstagram: @knittingistherapeutic

Series 4 is coming on 15th December! Sorry for the long wait and thanks for your patience. I am looking forward to sharing these 7 new conversations with you.If you have guest suggestions, please send me an email at mia@therapeuticknitting.org or message me on Instagram where I am @knittingistherapeuticYou can also sign up to my mailing list to find out more about my work at www.therapeuticknitting.org

Sylvia Watts-Cherry is a knitwear designer and teacher who is probably best known for her colourful intarsia designs. I love listening to other people talk about knitting, and was really drawn to Sylvia's description of her Paragon sweater design as being a 'happy knit' and the idea that intarsia feels therapeutic for her as she doesn't have time to think....something I relate to! I also loved hearing Sylvia speak about a different way in which knitting has been therapeutic for her, in allowing her a way of exploring and connecting to her African heritage, by taking inspiration from African jewellery and artefacts for her knitwear designs. Sylvia Watts-Cherry Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/withcherriesontoptoo/ (@withcherriesontoptoo) Ravelry: https://www.ravelry.com/designers/sylvia-watts-cherry (Sylvia Watts-Cherry) Mia Hobbs Website: https://www.therapeuticknitting.org/ (therapeuticknitting.org) Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=48212550&fan_landing=true (Why I Knit Podcast) Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/knittingistherapeutic/ (@knittingistherapeutic)

Dr Jen Unwin is a clinical and health psychologist who after retiring from her NHS role is now working with people with food addictions. She is a lifelong knitter who has herself found that knitting is an important part of her own self-care and because of this has also used knitting to benefit others as part of her work. You can find out more: Dr Jen Unwin Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jen_unwin/ (@Jen_unwin) Twitter: https://twitter.com/jen_unwin (@jen_unwin) Dr Mia Hobbs website: https://www.therapeuticknitting.org/ (therapeuticknitting.org) Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=48212550&fan_landing=true (Why I Knit Podcast) Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/knittingistherapeutic/ (@knittingistherapeutic)

Eileen has been a knitter since she was a child, but returned to it recently during a challenging time in her life. She discovered a new love for knitting and has now started to create her own designs. Eileen speaks about how knitting has been a form of self-expression, and how she rarely keeps the things she knits, but she loves planning the perfect gift for someone....even if she has never met them. Eileen Jack Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cniotaillaimhe/ (@cniotaillaimhe) - follow the link in Eileen's bio to buy her patterns on Ravelry or Payhip Mia Hobbs website: https://www.therapeuticknitting.org/ (therapeuticknitting.org) Join our Patreon community: https://www.patreon.com/therapeuticknitting (Why I Knit on Patreon) Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/knittingistherapeutic/ (@knittingistherapeutic) Mentioned in this episode: Creative Restoration Retreat Come and join us at the Creative Restoration retreat www.creativerestoration.org Creative Restoration Retreat Come and join us at the Creative Restoration retreat www.creativerestoration.org

Dr Paula Redmond is a clinical psychologist who specialises in working with healthcare professionals who have experienced burnout or workplace trauma. Paula and I met through the world of psychology, and I was delighted to meet another clinical psychologist who knits, and also speaks about creativity, including knitting, in her work. Paula speaks about her personal journey with knitting and how it benefits her mental wellbeing, as well as how she believes it can be helpful to her clients. Dr Paula Redmond Website: https://drpaularedmond.com/ (Paularedmond.com) LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drpaularedmond/?originalSubdomain=uk (Paula Redmond) Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrPaulaRedmond (Paula Redmond) Twitter: https://twitter.com/DrPaulaRedmond (Paula Redmond) Dr Mia Hobbs Website: https://www.therapeuticknitting.org/ (therapeuticknitting.org) Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/knittingistherapeutic/ (@knittingistherapeutic) Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=48212550&fan_landing=true (Why I Knit Podcast) Mentioned in this episode: Creative Restoration Retreat Come and join us at the Creative Restoration retreat www.creativerestoration.org

This week I am joined by Liz McNeil. Liz is a knitting coach who works for Knit Chats where she helps knitters with their knitting dilemmas and teaches classes about different techniques. Liz speaks about how knitting has helped her through the challenges of having small children, when finding tiny pockets of time for herself was particularly difficult. She also speaks about how knitting allowed her to access a community despite her frequent house moves. Liz speaks about the following patterns: Turtle knits Picky pants https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/picky-pants (Ravelry: Picky Pants pattern by Theresa Belville) Bee keeper quilt https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/the-beekeepers-quilt (Ravelry:the beekeeper's quilt pattern by tiny owl knits) Liz McNeil Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/weelittleknitter/ (@weelittleknitter) Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/knitchats/ (@KnitChats ) Mia Hobbs Website: https://www.therapeuticknitting.org/ (therapeuticknitting.org) Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/knittingistherapeutic/ (@knittingistherapeutic) Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/therapeuticknitting (Why I Knit Podcast is creating A podcast about how knitting benefits our well-being | Patreon) Come to our retreat on 1st October for GPs in London: https://creativerestoration.org/ (Creative Restoration)

Although Carol Caprosa doesn't consider herself to be an 'expert knitter' she, along with the many volunteers working on behalf of Project Knitwell have brought the gift of knitting to thousands of people during stressful times in their lives. It was amazing to hear the origin story of Project Knitwell, how returning to knitting when her daughter was very unwell as a newborn baby gave Carol the idea of teaching other people in hospital to knit. Carol Caparosa To find out more about Project Knitwell: https://projectknitwell.org/ (Welcome! - Project Knitwell) Mia Hobbs To find out more about therapeutic knitting visit my website: https://www.therapeuticknitting.org/ (therapeuticknitting.org) Follow me on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/knittingistherapeutic/ ( @knittingistherapeutic) To find out more about our retreat for GPs on 1st October visit https://creativerestoration.org/ (Creative restoration) Mentioned in this episode: Creative Restoration Retreat Come and join us at the Creative Restoration retreat www.creativerestoration.org Creative Restoration Retreat Come and join us at the Creative Restoration retreat www.creativerestoration.org

It was such a pleasure to meet Karie and speak to her about how she learned to knit and dressmake out of necessity as a very young child in rural Denmark. Then many years later, knitting helped her to recover from a serious illness and returning to it eventually lead to her career as a knitwear designer, teacher and writer. I loved hearing about the importance of storytelling in Karie's designs, and particularly the way she talks about knitting as agency. Karie mentions her https://www.kariebookish.net/doggerland (Doggerland collection) Karie Westermann https://www.kariebookish.net/ (kariebookish.net) Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kariebookish/ (@kariebookish) Mia Hobbs https://www.therapeuticknitting.org/ (therapeuticknitting.org) Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/knittingistherapeutic/ (@knittingistherapeutic) If you are interested in the Creative Restoration retreat for GPs on 1st October please visit https://creativerestoration.org/ (Creative Restoration) to find out more information and to book your space. Mentioned in this episode: Creative Restoration Retreat Come and join us at the Creative Restoration retreat www.creativerestoration.org Creative Restoration Retreat Come and join us at the Creative Restoration retreat www.creativerestoration.org

Series 3 is coming on 23rd June! I am so looking forward to sharing another series of 6 conversations with knitters, designers and even another psychologist. You can catch up on all the previous episodes at the website: https://www.therapeuticknitting.org/podcast (Podcast | Why I Knit Podcast (therapeuticknitting.org)) Mentioned in this episode: Creative Restoration Retreat Come and join us at the Creative Restoration retreat www.creativerestoration.org Creative Restoration Retreat Come and join us at the Creative Restoration retreat www.creativerestoration.org

CW: discussion of cancer, loss of fertility and depression Liz O'Riordan is a breast surgeon who has herself experienced cancer, twice. She now works as a speaker, author and podcaster providing high quality and accessible information about cancer from her expertise as both a doctor and a patient. Liz is also a lifelong knitter and more recently a sewer. Although Liz said that she often thinks that knitting is 'just something I do', throughout our conversation it becomes clear that knitting has accompanied Liz through some difficult times in her life and provided her with a sense of achievement, of comfort and a way of showing affection to her loved ones. You can find out more about Liz's work at her https://liz.oriordan.co.uk/ (website ) Follow Liz on https://twitter.com/Liz_ORiordan (Twitter) or https://www.instagram.com/oriordanliz/ (Instagram) Find out more about the podcast and therapeutic knitting at the https://www.therapeuticknitting.org/ (website) where you can also sign up to the newsletter. Follow Mia on https://www.instagram.com/knittingistherapeutic/ (Instagram)

Clare is a knitting pattern designer and design mentor. She learned to knit as a teenager and studied knitwear design but after working in the commercial fashion industry has found her niche designing patterns and helping other people learn to make their designs into reality. It was great to hear the perspective of a pattern designer, as Clare loves being able to turn her ideas into tangible objects. Find out more about Clare at her website: https://www.sistermountain.com/ (Sister Mountain) Follow her on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sister.mountain/ (@sistermountain) Find out more about the podcast and therapeutic knitting at my https://www.therapeuticknitting.org/ (website) Follow Mia on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/knittingistherapeutic/ (@knittingistherapeutic)

TW: Cancer and bereavement Susan Yaguda is passionate about knitting as a form self-care. She is an oncology nurse who has used knitting with both staff and patients at the Cancer Institute in Charlotte, North Carolina. These have included setting up a knitting group for people who are receiving chemotherapy and developing a study into whether knitting can help with the symptoms of 'chemobrain' (problems with memory and thinking after chemotherapy). We also speak about the importance of supporting health care staff particularly since the pandemic, and the potential for offering knitting as a self-care intervention to prevent burnout. You can find the full transcript for this episode on the blog. You can follow Susan on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/knitforhealth/ (@knitforhealth) Find out more about https://projectknitwell.org/ (Project Knitwell) Find out more about the podcast at thehttps://www.therapeuticknitting.org/podcast ( website) Follow Mia on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/knittingistherapeutic/ (@knittingistherapeutic)

It was an absolute pleasure to speak to Milli about her relationship with knitting. Right now she is the owner of Tribe Yarns, a yarn shop in Richmond-upon-Thames in London but she has also circumnavigated the globe on a yacht with her family and worked with Richard Branson as his CFO. Knitting has been a constant through all her adventures. Milli also has a qualification in Applied Colour Psychology, and I really enjoyed learning about the theory behind how different colours can impact our mood and energy levels. Since experiencing Hurricane Irma, Milli tries not to become attached to material possessions, so she is also the ultimate process knitter! She is not afraid of ripping back to make something exactly the way she wants it, Milli rarely keeps her own knits, and never knits the same thing twice.....this includes socks! You can see the full transcript for this episode on the blog. You can follow Milli on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/tribeyarnslife/ (@tribeyarnslife) Website: https://www.tribeyarns.com/ (Tribe Yarns) Follow Mia on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/knittingistherapeutic/ (@knittingistherapeutic) Website: https://www.therapeuticknitting.org/ (Therapeutic Knitting)