7 Reasons to Give Crochet a Chance and See How Times Have Changed

Crochet and crafts, for a long time, were aimed at women, because it was a sensitive, delicate activity, and dedicated to the female universe. They were supposed to stay at home, take care of the family and keep them fed, healthy and well dressed. Men, on the other hand, were busy with their routines, jobs and “man stuff”.

Realizing how times have changed, the awesome.club decided to show a little more of this activity that now, in addition to being practiced by everyone, has gained several scientific evidence about its benefits. Check it out!

The mathematical elements involved in crochet help keep your thought processes sharp, that’s because it takes a lot of math to count your stitches, be aware of the start/end of rows, add up pattern repeats. As it is a tactile art, it usually generates a certain calm, because a gentle touch on the skin and working with physical sensations are ideal conditions for peace of mind.

The soft touch of a simple thread can soothe your soul on your worst days. The rhythm of the points works practically as a calming agent for the mind and body, in addition to the meditative sensation that helps to reduce anxiety.

Crocheting or knitting can be relaxing, but these activities are also cognitive exercises. One study suggested that crocheting and other activities (such as reading a book, making a quilt, or even playing games) can delay the onset of dementia and reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s by 30 to 50%.

According to the ACA, relief from depression and anxiety are by far the most reported and studied benefits of crocheting and knitting. Repetitive motion releases serotonin, a natural antidepressant. Plus, it keeps your hands busy and your mind focused so you can calm down.

Recently, British champion Tom Daley took the gold medal in synchronized jumping at the Tokyo Olympics, but his success went beyond the podium: he drew attention when he was photographed in the stands knitting a dog outfit. The champion took his hobby seriously and even set up an Instagram profile dedicated to his brand.

Sometimes we can feel depressed or unproductive, which can be highly frustrating. On the other hand, getting involved in a project can help you in:

build new skills: they can help you realize that you are smart, hardworking and really can do what you want;Create beauty: it can help you to understand the delicacies of meticulous work and how it can completely renew an environment or an outfit;Allow you to feel productive: visualizing, working and creating a product that you made yourself brings the feeling of accomplishment and that your time was not wasted.

Gone are the days when it was believed that handicrafts were just for women, especially for our grandmothers. In an interview, Rodrigo, owner of @elenocroche, told us:

“As incredible as this may seem, considering my gender and a technique that was formerly exclusively for women, I do not receive any negative comments. I never wanted to hide that I am a crochet man, on the contrary. It feels really good knowing that I’m somehow inspiring others with my work, male or female. Today, crochet is not only my main income, but also my daily therapy and my pride.”

No matter what issue you’re dealing with, it’s always helpful to have a supportive community around you. And you can acquire this in several ways:

Meetings in public places, such as squares, parks, etc; Fairs and thematic events; Small meetings with other family members and/or friends who can share their art.

Usually we’re tired, but we can’t sleep, so we enter a cycle of pressure and frustration, which makes everything more difficult. The solution can be very simple: crochet so your body and mind can relax enough to go to bed.

A study by Professor Herbert Benson in the 1960’s discovered the power of the relaxation response to reduce stress. But their subsequent research found that the approach is not much different from what people have been doing for centuries through their prayers, chants or repetitive movements.

What do you usually do to keep your mind sane and healthy? Have you given crochet a chance and managed to finish some work? If so, send us some pictures in the comments. 🇧🇷