Welcome to the Why I Knit podcast! My name is Dr Mia Hobbs and I am a Clinical Psychologist who is passionate about the mental health benefits of knitting.
Each episode of the podcast I interview a different knitter about why they knit and the (k)nitty gritty of how it impacts their mental wellbeing. I have had the pleasure of speaking to an inspiring and diverse range of knitters who have generously shared their stories with me.
We also have a series of bonus episodes where my colleague and fellow Clinical Psychologist Dr Paula Redmond joins me to discuss the research into knitting and mental health.
Why I Knit Episodes...
Series two is starting with another ‘pinch me’ moment as I am joined by Meghan Fernandes and Lydia Gluck, the founders and creative directors of Pom Pom magazine! As you’ll hear, discovering Pom Pom inspired me to become a garment knitter, which has completely changed my relationship with the clothes I wear. It was such...
The podcast is back for series two on Thursday 3rd March. I am really excited to share another series of interviews with brilliant guests all of whom believe that knitting plays an important role in their mental wellbeing.
Dana Williams-Johnson, or DWJ is a doctoral student and professor of marketing at Howard University. She is also a passionate knitter of colourful sweaters for humans and very small dogs! She also writes a column for Modern Daily Knitting. Dana and I speak about how her love of learning brought her to a knitting class...
Lauren Brennan is the Managing Director of Project Knitwell, a charity dedicated to using knitting as a wellness tool and bringing this to people in hospital and community settings. Lauren speaks about her own journey in using to knitting to benefit her wellbeing as well as her involvement in project knitwell, bringing the joy and...
LJ is the owner of Rusty Ferret Yarn and also speaks openly about how she has used knitting to manage anxiety and low mood. She has brilliantly named her new yarn range after her struggles with low mood. LJ speaks about knowing that she needed to do something with her hands in order to feel...
Betsan Corkhill is internationally recognised as an expert in therapeutic knitting. Hear about how a stack of letters in a filing cabinet let to Betsan’s career specialising in the therapeutic benefits of knitting and how she rebranded knitting as a ‘rythmical bilateral psychosocial intervention’ in order to get knitting taken seriously when discussing her research....
TW: Homophobia, suicide and depression James McIntosh taught himself to knit with chopsticks and string when he had been so low in mood that he couldn’t leave his bed. He now credits knitting with saving his life. See the transcript for this episode on the captivate player James is the owner of McIntosh yarn, see...
Ros Edwards is a prolific knitter who has had a bed-bound illness for the past 5 years. Ros speaks about how knitting helps her to manage chronic pain and the psychological distress of her illness. Ros also speaks about the importance of the connections she has made in the yarn community, and that she uses...
Atia Azmi is a knitter, sewer, blogger and podcaster who is known for her creative use of colour in her makes and her home. Atia speaks about the joy of using knitting as a creative outlet where she can combine colours. Visit Atia’s website: www.thebrightblooms.com Follow Atia on Instagram @thebrightblooms The Uncut podcast: Uncut Podcast...
The first episode of Season 1 will be released on 2nd December! I have some amazing guests and can’t wait to share our conversations with you. You can follow me on Instagram @knittingistherapeutic or contact me via my website www.therapeuticknitting.org