Hardman will revised_ignite_knitting_therapy

Photo Credit: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/29454428@N08/4658734719/">State Library of New South Wales collection</a> via <a href="http://compfight.com">Compfight</a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/commons/usage/">cc</a>

men and women

have knitted

throughhistory

• According to Carolyn Bucior, men and women worldwide have been knitting for at least 1800 years of recorded history.

Knitting reduces dementia cases by 40%

Photo Credit: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21109902@N00/3091619333/">Anne-Miek Bibbe</a> via <a href="http://compfight.com">Compfight</a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/help/general/#147">cc</a>

• Mental activity and social engagement, both found in knitting groups, has been shown to make people 40% LESS likely to experience dementia, according to Dr. Valenzuela and others.

Knitting: Good for Body and Mind

Original KnittedRemote

Control Holder

• Knitting is therapeutic for your body and mind

Original Afghan

expand Your horizons - heal your mind

You can improve your health and mind if you learn these skills

Originalhat

Knitting and crocheting for years

!I’ve been knitting and crocheting for over 25 years

Knitting Clubs are

Everywhere

Photo Credit: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/45940879@N04/6325899191/">Kalexanderson</a> via <a href="http://compfight.com">Compfight</a> <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0/">cc</a>

• You can join a knitting club wherever you live

Chronic Pain - treatedAddiction - treated

Mental illness - treated

cable dress - modified design

• Knitting and crocheting can treat chronic pain, addiction, and mental illness

Knitting treats chronic Pain

Reversible Pattern I knit

• Knitting and crocheting has proved useful in treating chronic pain

Knitting controlspain perception

AnotherRemote

Control Holder

• Knitting in particular has been shown to change the perception of pain, allowing knitters to control their chronic pain.

Photo Credit: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/35213698@N08/9558242950/">Dave Toussaint (www.photographersnature.com)</a> via <a href="http://compfight.com">Compfight</a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/help/general/#147">cc</a>

knitting createsa Healing, meditative

environment

• Knitting also creates a meditative state of mind, a technique that is otherwise very difficult to master, allowing more control of pain and healing

Knitting TreatsMental illness

Reversible knitting pattern

!Knitting has proved useful in the treatment of major mental illnesses like schizophrenia and OCD.

Repetitivemotionsuccess

acceptanceof mistakes

Brioche Hat

• Repetitive motion, the feeling of success, and the acceptance of mistakes helps control depression, bipolar, and OCD

physicalityrhythmpatterns

original afghan

• The contact with physical items, the calming rhythm, and the repetitive patterns treat panic disorders and bipolar disorders

Photo Credit: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/22509585@N03/2609356317/">like_shipwrecks</a> via <a href="http://compfight.com">Compfight</a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/help/general/#147">cc</a>

knitting can help you quit smoking

• Knitting can help treat smoking and other addictions

Photo Credit: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/62472560@N00/5638484385/">Daniela Vladimirova</a> via <a href="http://compfight.com">Compfight</a> <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/">cc</a>

distractionfrom

addiction

• The knitting provides a distraction for the addict, giving them something else to do with their hands

Photo Credit: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/35076119@N04/4113553510/">Rebecca Nicole Montana</a> via <a href="http://compfight.com">Compfight</a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/help/general/#147">cc</a>

knitting produces

endorphins

• Knitting and crocheting produces endorphins, which have a calming effect on the mind and body, which can replace the need for addictions.

Photo Credit: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/50658935@N00/6389541647/">sifis</a> via <a href="http://compfight.com">Compfight</a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/help/general/#147">cc</a>

Join A knitting

Group

• The best thing to do is to join a knitting group or start one. Knitting groups are found in nursing homes, yarn stores, libraries, and hospitals.

knitting istherapeutic

for menand women

Original Handbag,Finnish traditional patterns

• Knitting is therapeutic for men and women. In fact, until the 19th century, it was expected of men to knit worldwide. Crochet, however, was considered a “woman’s craft” and women were expected not to knit.

YouCanDoIT!

original leg warmer

• As long as you can knit or crochet, you already have the tools to change your life at your disposal already

You can learn to knit in many placesoriginal

laundry bag

• If you want to learn how to knit, you can find instruction at yarn stores, knitting groups, YouTube and the Internet, as well as modern magazines like Vogue and Knitting Monthly.