10 Reasons Why Knitting is a Great Hobby for Busy Moms

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1. Knitting Helps Reduce Stress and Anxiety

Knitting has been proven to reduce stress and anxiety by calming the mind while providing something for your hands to do. The MAIN reason I asked my Grandma to teach me to knit was because I am so fidgety and I cannot relax. I cannot just sit , I always need to be doing something with my hands. Knitting gives something to do with my hands while I am just sitting. It gives me a zen like feeling that can be compared to yoga or meditation. After my kids go to bed, I am able to sit, watch a show and knit, making me comfortable and relaxed and eventually ready for bed. As a mom, I need that more than ever! When I have not had the opportunity to knit in awhile, I can feel my stress and anxiety levels rise higher and higher by the day. Knitting make me feel “Ahhhhh……”

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2. Knitting Can Help with Depression and Boost Self Confidence

The sense of accomplishment is a powerful thing. When I finish a project, I want to show it to everyone! The feeling you get when you set forth on a project, finish that project and use the finished product is such an amazing feeling. Often times us moms feel like failures at everything we do, so having made/done something you can feel proud of once in a while can really help with feelings of worthlessness.

3. Knitting Improves Memory and Focus

Knitting is a great activity to help tone your memory and focus, something kids can sure take away from you. By reading and following patterns, counting stitches, and focusing on picking up stitches, you are sharpening the areas of your brain related to memory and focus. Knitting has also been linked to the reduction in risk for developing Alzheimer’s and dementia.

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4. Knitting is Perfect for Introverts and Extroverts

Knitting is a great hobby for people who want to knit with other people, or want to knit alone. It is gaining in popularity and is reinventing the “sewing circle” of our great grandmothers days. There are so many knitting communities out there that one can join, whether it be virtually or in-person. Moms can sometimes feel trapped by family and work duties, so having a social circle to knit with can be very therapeutic. I always get so excited to talk to a fellow knitter! (seriously lets be knitting friends!) In that same respect, if you want to sit in a quiet, cozy corner and knit alone, you can! As much as moms can miss the social interaction with people outside the home and office, having a hobby to work on alone is just as therapeutic.

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5. You can take it with you and knit anytime, anywhere

You know what travels well? Some cable needles and a small ball of yarn. Literally thrown in your bag when you leave the house. As long as you are not flying on an airplane, you can take your project anywhere you want to knit. Want to knit in the park while the kids play? Knit in the park while your kids play! Tired of scrolling through your phone while you wait for your kids to get out of school? Knit in the car! Knitting is an the perfect time killing hobby so take it along with you, you’ll never be bored.

6. Kitting Can Be Picked Up and Tossed Aside at Ease

Alright, so this one is purely based on MY experiences as a mom and a knitter. I usually choose to knit pretty simple projects: Pillow covers, blankets, bags, headbands, scarfs…stuff like that. The main reason I chose the types of projects I do is because they require very little counting or stitch switches. I need projects that can be thrown to the side at a moments notice because I have a toddler that is getting into EVERYTHING. I don’t think I have gotten through a whole row in one sitting, unless he is sleeping, in over a year. It may be hard to get through a whole row sometimes, but every time I sit down, I knit.

If I’m Sitting I’m Knitting

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7. Knitting Releases Dopamine

Studies have shown that the brain releases the chemical dopamine, that feel good feeling, while knitting. You are sitting, knitting, calming you mind then you feel that warm fuzzy good feeling feeling. This happens to me all the time, I can physically feel my love of knitting. Knitting can be frustrating in the beginning while you are learning, but once you get a good rhythm going, knitting is definitely habit forming. On that note…

8. Knitting Can Help Break Unhealthy Habits

Are you looking to break some unhealthily habits? Knitting is extremely habit forming and easy to do anywhere. If you are someone who would like to minimize the time you spend mindlessly scrolling your phone, knitting is perfect. I only ever scroll my phone when I am there to do just that. Otherwise, when I am just sitting around I am much more likely to reach for my knitting than my phone. Knitting has also helped my reduce my late night snacking. Keeping my hand busy and my mind clear, I am not a prone to wander my kitchen in boredom.

9. Knitting is Affordable

These days money is tight for everyone. It is no different for me and my family. I do not have hundreds of dollars to invest in a hobby. I don’t even have one hundred dollars to invest in a hobby! Guess what? Knitting is super affordable! All you really need to get started is a pair of needles and a ball of yarn. I’m talking $25.00 max to get started. And once you buy the needles, you don’t need to buy them again. If you want to spend a little more upfront then never have to buy needles again you can get the ChiaoGoo Twist Red Lace Interchangeable Circular Knitting Needle Set and be set for the entirety of your hobby. I have these and love them! This is a hobby you can spend as much or as little money as you want.

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10. Yarn is Pretty

Yarn is SO pretty! I love some pretty yarn! There are so many different kinds of yarn that the possibilities are endless. I have a cupboard full of gorgeous yarn that I have bought because I thought it was pretty and one day the perfect project will come along for it. Over the next year, I want to try to use only the yarn I have on hand, but not before I spent some of the money I got for Christmas on some new yarn to round out the year.

I hope you consider knitting if you are looking to pick up an new healthy hobby. I can not begin to explain how much peace it gives me as a busy working mom of two young kiddos. If you decide to take up knitting as a new hobby, follow me on instagram (@amandah8234) for more knitting content and we can be knitting friends! Don’t miss out on a new post and my newest patterns by signing up for my monthly newsletter and new blog post notifications! Happy Knitting!!