I used knitting to explore two-handed processes that engage bilateral body and brain function. Yarn is a medium that I used extensively in my teens and early twenties, so I was already familiar with the terminology, motor actions, and some of the affective reactions that may arise for myself. My familiarity with the process supported the therapeutic aspects of the medium, as it reduced the amount of “figuring out” time necessary.
Older adults who struggle with racing thoughts or other anxiety-related symptoms may find the repetitive nature of each stitch soothing. Further, sensory aspects of holding and manipulating yarn, listening to the needles’ gentle clacking, and feeling the weight of the emerging knitted item could enhance such qualities, especially if paired with mindfulness-based grounding concepts. The variable complexity of knitting stitches makes it possible for clients to engage at multiple levels. The technique itself is grid-based and very structured, so it lends itself to supporting clients who can both tolerate and be supported by that level of structure and cognitive engagement. Certain older-adult clients may find the practical applications of knitting to be especially rewarding as a generative activity which enhances feelings of usefulness and social connection in later life.
Knitting circles are common ways of sharing the craft with peers, thus the medium lends itself naturally to group work. In groups of mixed knitting skill, more experienced members may offer their assistance to less experienced members, thereby fostering feelings of self-efficacy and ultimately building group cohesion.
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