One of the things we are really passionate about is exploring the research into the links between knitting, wellbeing and mental health. We know from our personal experience, clinical work and the Why I Knit conversations that knitting enriches our wellbeing and supports our mental health. However, as psychologists we’re keen to understand the empirical evidence behind these experiences. We want to be able to share insights that are backed by science, and elevate this craft from a gentle domestic hobby to a powerful wellbeing intervention.
With this in mind we started introducing Journal Club episodes to the Why I Knit podcast. Each episode explores at least one published research study into the wellbeing benefits of knitting (and sometimes crochet). We discuss and critique the rationale, methods and results from the studies, and consider the theoretical and practical implications of the findings. We also love to fantasise about the research we would do if we had the funding!
Here’s a roundup of the research we have covered so far in the Journal Club episodes. If there’s a study you’d like us to discuss, let us know!
Knitting and wellbeing research
🎙️ Healing stitches: A Scoping Review on the Impact of Needlecraft on Mental Health and Well-Being
This scoping review provides a thematic analysis of 25 research studies that explored the impact of needlecraft on mental health and wellbeing. It covered crafts including knitting, crochet, sewing, quilting, embroidery and lace. Findings indicate an overwhelmingly positive effect on mental health and well-being and highlighted themes including boosting mood; supporting social connection and belonging; providing purpose and achievement; and supporting identity. This is a great resource for identifying primary research studies in this field
🎙️ The Benefits of Knitting for Personal and Social Wellbeing in Adulthood: Findings from an International Survey
This large survey study included over 3500 participants from 31 countries around the world. It aimed to explore why people knit and what the emotional, cognitive and social impacts of knitting are. We discuss the important and interesting findings of this study, as well as its limitations and unanswered questions.
Knitting and mental health research
🎙️ Promoting health through yarncraft: Experiences of an online knitting group living with mental illness
This study explored how people living with mental illness experience knitting as an occupation. Participants were those who specifically spoke about using knitting to cope with difficulties such as depression and anxiety, in an online forum. We discuss the methodology and findings, and the unique insights this research adds to the literature.
🎙️ Knitting for anxiety and compassion fatigue
This Journal Club episode covers two studies that investigated the impact of knitting as an intervention for nurses. The first looked at how knitting can reduce compassion fatigue amongst oncology nurses (Anderson & Gustavson, 2016) while the second explored the impact of knitting on anxiety amongst nursing students (Meehan et al., 2025). We discuss the findings, thinking particularly about what knitting can offer in relation to professional self-care in a healthcare context.
Knitting and cognition research
🎙️ Crochet increases attention through a requiring motor skill learning
This fascinating study published in Nature used brain imaging techniques to study the effects of crochet on attention. We summarise the complex design and explore the findings and their implications for everyday application
🎙️ Boosting inhibition control process by knitting at school
This experimental study involved primary school children and investigated whether knitting had an impact on inhibitory control, an important cognitive function associated with attention and focus. We critique the study and consider how this adds to our understanding of the benefits of knitting.
Knitting and physical health research
🎙️ The Effect of Creative Handicrafts Programme on Blood Pressure, Stress and Depression in Hypertensive Patients
Is it true that knitting can reduce blood pressure? This is a claim that is often cited, but with little proof to substantiate this. In this episode we discuss the one paper that has investigated this directly. This study investigated the impact of knitting and other handicrafts on blood pressure amongst a sample of nursing home residents. We critique the research and its findings, considering what conclusions we can safely draw from it.
