FIGHT Stress, Anxiety & Depression by Crocheting and Knitting ⭐ | Stitching for Better Mental Health 

Hi everyone! There seems to be a technical issue with the Better Help link but I will keep checking and let you all know when it's working. :0)

After my Mom was diagnosed with stage 4 rectal cancer, she was in the hospital for a little over a week after surgery to remove the tumor. In the hospital I crocheted her a "waterfall" blanket, which is what we ended up calling it, but it was made from scraps of bulky, super fuzzy, yarn in all sorts of deep blues. I had no idea what kind of yarn I was using, because the scraps were traded at a yarn swap. I just kept stitching as she slept, and eventually it ended up being so heavy that I just draped it over her legs on the hospital bed and kept crocheting. The doctors were all pretty surprised every time they came in because the blanket ended up so huge. She used that blanket until the day she passed away in 2015, and it filled me with such comfort that I could provide anything at all for her during such a hard time.

I had a brain injury in 2014. I was told by numerous doctors that I wouldn't have the capability to learn new things. I also have chronic pain. During the pandemic I learnt to crochet from RU-vid videos (after reading that it could help with chronic pain and PTSD). Although it doesn't take any pain away, it did give me a purpose and a sense of accomplishment. I was spending my days flicking through different streaming apps and had no real reason to get out of bed everyday. Crocheting changed all of that. Not only has it helped fill my days, but it has also given my brain an amazing workout which helps me with problem solving, memory and decision making. I have regained purpose in my life and a happiness I thought I would never see again. I could not have achieved as much as I have, as quickly as I have, without all the great RU-vid creators like yourself. Thank you 💞

I'm a school bus driver. 1st few weeks of school are always stressful, kids getting off at the wrong stops, getting on the wrong bus. My boss said "why are you always so upbeat?" I said my crochet is my therapy, fiber therapy. I never leave the house in the morning without crocheting for a few minutes.

Crocheting is my life. No matter what is going on in my life, in my mind I always think..”at least I can still crochet” even if the world is falling down around me.

I am a life long knitter. I do crochet, spin and weave some, but knitting is my life. I was diagnosed with AIDS just this year. I have several complications related to the disease that leave me in a state of chronic pain. I knit to help me not dwell on the discomfort. I have already finished all my Christmas knitting. I am glad you are promoting mental health. I have a counselor already, or I would be interested in your offer. I encourage anyone to try counseling, you will be surprised. Mental health is as important as physical health.

I had tears in my eyes listening to you , I know what’s it is like to have no control of what happens in life . Crochet is my go to to calm my mind .

Thank you for being open and vulnerable and for using your channel to promote a positive message of encouragement and care. It matters and is much appreciated.

I learned to knit about 30 years ago when we lost my brother-in-law suddenly. It was just 18 months after we welcomed our baby girl who has Down Syndrome. The following year, a dear friend of mine lost her little 5 month old baby with Down Syndrome. It was all too much for me to bear. Knitting has been my comfort in the hard places of life. We are currently going through a really hard time now with my middle son who suffers from mental illness. Each day is exhausting. I am trying to keep positive, lots of prayer and faith, a good support group. But yes, there is my old friend, Knitting". Something gentle to focus on. Thank you for your channel and this good encouragement. I hope it helps a lot of people. Take care!

Amen!! I even have a shirt that says "I crochet so I don't strangle people. Save a life. Send yarn." Lolol

In 2017 I decided to go to college to obtain my BFA. I was 42, wife and a mother of 4 very young children. The pandemic hit. I was also taking care of my elderly mother. When I was at school or away from my mom she had caretakers that were suppose to look after her. One of them didn't show up and my mother ended up falling and was laying on the ground when the next shift caretaker arrive to take of her. Because of the fall my mom had to be hospitalized. She ended up at a physical rehab center where she contracted covid. Due to her age and poor health she couldn't fight it and passed away. I kept going to school in the midst of all this. I knew staying home could potentially spiral me into a depression. I started crocheting and knitted and actually had my thesis while in school compromise mostly of my crocheting and knitting. The process of creating the garments I designed saved me. It aided in soothing my mind and thoughts of feeling guilty of not being there when my mom fell. I went to school for fashion design and I'm seriously considering becoming a knitwear designer. I try and tell everyone I know how therapeutic it is. I love that I came across this video as it is one more affirmation that there are benefits to this skill set. Thank you for making this video.

Boy, Im convinced that the reason I am asked “Why are you always in a great mood when I see you?” is because I have crocheted and knit for decades. It is a lifesaver when you need some personal peace and/or a good distraction, it is a great wind down activity, it can give you something to look forward to….numerous ways to relax and “escape” from the daily challenges we all have. If you need a good human therapist, please find one, but this hobby can also make a healthy difference in your life. 🙋🏾‍♀️💕

During an extremely hard time in my life I was so sick from anxiety over family situations that are too lengthy to write out. I couldn’t sleep and was mentally and physically exhausted. I would get up during those long nights and get my Bible and read. Oh, the peace and comfort I found in God’s Word! Then I would crochet in the wee hours of the morning. It was like a medicine for me. I thank God that He has given us such things as a natural means for healing. Thank you for all of the hard work you put into your beautiful videos! I recently found your channel and am a new subscriber. ❤️

Crochet has literally been the one thing to center me. I do see a psychiatrist and take medication, however the last two years have been especially hard with my divorce, buying a home and helping my boys adjust. Crochet is something I can pull out and FOCUS. It clears my mind and gives me a sense of control life does not allow. I take a bag EVERY WHERE I go in case 💜

My grandma taught me to crochet when I was around 7. During the pandemic, I crocheted pretty much every day. I literally have four bags full of stuff I crocheted! Shawls and ponchos, a few afghans, some other random things...it really helped to just have something to do that I felt was keeping me productive. Fortunately I have several stores around me that stayed open that carried plenty of yarn. I ended up donating some shawls to a nursing home in my aunt Lola's name...she used to crochet and donate them all the time up until her passing. She was 92 and from Australia. I plan to teach my niece how to crochet, as well.

I taught myself to crochet about 5 years ago, has been a life saver. A day without crocheting is more stressful, when I don't crochet regularly my mental health declines. Bright yarn makes me happy too ☺️fibre arts are very therapeutic!

Hi Elise - and thank you for this video! I learned to knit and crochet years ago, but I didn't really get into it until fairly recently. My aunt taught me how to crochet when I was about 9 years old. I got frustrated because she gave me a project that was way beyond my skill level. I would get discouraged and put it away. She told me I should learn to do it even if I didn't want to because some day I would be glad I learned and it would be fun. She was SO correct! I crocheted off and on over the years, and it wasn't until I had a stressful job that I went back to crocheting (and knitting and pin loom weaving) that I realized how these crafts gave me a mental vacation of sorts. I developed arthritis in a few fingers, but it really isn't painful. At a routine doctor visit my doctor noticed what I was doing in the waiting room and told me to keep at it because it gave my fingers mobility AND it's good for mental health. I have noticed in stressful times that I can handle things better when I grab a crafting bag and get busy. I have developed some heart trouble, but I find that if I can give myself a few minutes of crocheting or knitting, the heart rate gradually slows down to where it should be. So happy there are non-medicinal things to help us!

Crochet, knitting and watercolor painting is my life. Keeps me very happy and productive.

Thank you for sharing your story of how crochet helped you. I myself have had a much simpler experience. My grandma thought my to crochet when I was young but I only made things every once in a while. It wasn’t till I was in my 30’s that I took it up again when we had some tragic events in our family. Then I didn’t take it up again until my late 40’s when I was diagnosed with a rare cancer. Now I crochet all the time. Helps with pain management and keeps my brain active. ❤

I've been telling people this for years....crocgeting is my therapy!!! Awesome resources Elise!! Thank you.

I started crocheting when I was in depression. It was the only thing I wanted and the only that I could physically do. And it helped me so much, it would be much harder for me to overcome depression without crocheting. Thank you for the video!

Sweet Elise, Thank you for sharing your story. It brought tears to my eyes to hear about your precious Son’s times in the Hospital. I have been a Crocheter for many years, I am now in my 60s. I crochet every day because it helps so much with self-esteem making something gorgeous! As you said distracting my brain from stressful events. I eagerly await your Podcasts and thank you from the bottom of my heart for being so inspiring! I started making Amigurumis for the first time after watching all your Ami videos.🥰 Sending love and peaceful crochet from Australia.x

Crocheting helps one hundred percent with depression, anxiety it's my go to and makes me HAPPY 😊 bottom line it makes me a Better version of myself

I find that I produce more when I am stressed and less when I am not. It, both crocheting and knitting have been in my life since I was 5 yrs. Old . My grandmother was from the era of " Idol hands are the devil's workshop." So as early as possible she taught me to crochet and about age 7 she taught me to knit socks on a set of double pointed and turn a heel. These were for my uncles were in Vietnam. I was excited to have my socks go to another country and wanted them to be perfect for my uncles. I knew they were in danger and they did not have the things they needed so it was important to me that I made things perfect for them. I slipped a note inside each pair telling each uncle that I loved them and I knitted love and protection in them to keep them safe. Rather it worked or it was a miracle but all of them came home. One of my uncles to this day still has them and wears them when he hunts. Thank you for sharing your story. I understand what a stress release needle work is. I have used it through out my life and will continue to do so.

In December of 2017 my husband was taken ill and was taken into a specialist hospital until he passed 11 weeks later. The only thing I had to occupy me during that time at his bedside, being so far from home, were magazines given to me by other patients and their visitors. I spent so much time worrying about him and wondering if he would ever see the sky again (which he did not). After he passed, I went to stay with my best friend who is a knitter, she encouraged me to pick up a hook & yarn and, although I was terrible at it to begin with, I persevered and taught myself to crochet. It was the best thing I could have done. My mind quieted and I was no longer obsessing over my loss. 5 years later, I still crochet daily and it is my favourite hobby. It helps me so much, with stresses big and small. Thankfully, my skill has also much improved with all the practice!

It's always great to find something that relaxes the mind as mental plays a crucial role in maintaining a healthy life. I've always been fond of either reading or painting. If nothing else, having a great sleep is utterly important!

Hello Elise...I'm Tineke from Indonesia. Thank you for sharing this story, and it's relate to me. I have crocheting since 2016, when I have to move on from a relationship. I learn crocheting and knitting by myself, via website and now I learn by watching youtube. I really love your channel about amigurumi, it's my passion anyway. The way you talk about crocheting and knitting it's very fun. Thank you🥰

I learned crochet when I was maybe 7 years old, and I knit in high school, but I stopped doing both for years. I recently picked them back up and it's been SO beneficial for my mental health. Now if only crochet could help with weight loss.....

I taught myself how to crochet right at the beginning of the pandemic. It has been such a meaningful and incredible outlet and I’m just so thankful that it came out of such a weird time.

Such a helpful video today❤ I’ve encouraged my daughter to take up crochet to help with her stress and she is now working on a granny square blanket. Fiber therapy is a blessing ❤…. Karen from Greenleaf Idaho

It absolutely does! I have MDD and anxiety disorder. These have absolutely helped with them.

Knitting and crochet is my peaceful place. It calms my nerves, centers me and helps me pray.

Oh Elise, I am in ugly cry mode right now after watching this video. I sank into a deep depression during COVID. All I did was work, sleep and sit in the recliner chair playing Facebook games and watched RU-vid videos. God opened my eyes through a video about gardening and providing organic food. Long story short. I returned to my love for crochet and now I have an Esty page and have sold some of my work. Crochet and gardening have saved my mental health and I thank God every day for that. God's blessings on you and your beautiful family. ❤

Crochet and knitting definitely help me keep a level head, de-stress and be a wonderful version of me in my personal life and at work. I always find that in stressful times I have stopped doing any crafts, I “force” myself to start again and I feel the effect in a few days! 🍀 My mom also uses knitting and sewing to handle her severe mental health disease (alongside medical treatment) and it works wonders! At our nearest psychiatric hospital, they also have several “craft cafes” (knitting, jewelry making, leather work) and it is a very important aspect of the therapeutic work they do❤

There are so many aspects of this craft that have benefits to mental health. For me, having a small project (that has a beginning, middle and ending) gives me a sense of accomplishment that I don’t get in the rest of my life. The colors, the patterns, the repetitions and the tactile nature of knitting and crochet feed my sou. My hands actually ache sometimes just to pick up a hook or a needle. I’m never happier than when I am beginning a new project or completing one. Thank you for sharing your very personal experiences with us.

Wow! Such vulnerability, Elise! Thank you for your story. What a painful time for your son and your family! Knitting, crocheting and other hand crafts have helped me deal with emotional pain throughout my life. No details, but childhood trauma has taken a toll on my long life. That toll began to lift 8 years ago, with EMDR trauma therapy that helped me to leave an emotionally abusive relationship at almost 75 years of age. I have recently returned to EMDR therapy, due to ongoing stress and isolation, because of Covid. I found my new therapist online and have done in-person sessions. Your mention of the online resource is so helpful to people. My therapist is available to me online, as well as in person, so if situations make that necessary, I can have her continuing help. I feel fortunate to be healing with her tutelage and support. An aside, but related - I am heading into the completion of another project, today, due to your WIP pages! Thanks for being an inspiration to many of us in RU-vid-land!

I started an afghan when my dad was in ICU for 21 days and when he finally got to come home my afghan was big enough to fit on a king size bed and even hung over the sides a bit. Crocheting has helped me through a lot of tough times.

Thank you so much for sharing. My daughter was hospitalized for three weeks and knitting saved me. I don’t know how I would have coped. She’s fine now, but I am still never far from my needles.

I just recently picked up crocheting because I quit smoking and I noticed that when I crochet I literally have more patience with my whole family and I love it!

I’m so sorry, friend. ❤ I cannot imagine how stressful and hard going through all of that has been. I’m so thankful crocheting helped you and that your son is doing so much better now! 🙏🏻

Thanks for the video. I can totally relate to knitting and crocheting as mental health and physical therapy! My heart goes out to you for what you've gone through with your son. Love and prayers.

Oh my goodness your story about your son had me in tears.One of my sons has epilepsy as well. It’s been about a year and a half dealing with it and trying to get his medications correct. We also discovered a brain lesion during this process from him having his MRI’s. Crochet has been a lifesaver for me. I learned as a child but recently picked it back up about 5 years ago. My mom passed away unexpectedly a month ago and I crocheted for her. She always appreciated the things I made. I can personally attest that crochet is therapy.

I have recently become disabled and it has been amazing for me to be able to still feel productive and like I can actually do things for my family by crocheting. I felt goofy when I realized how much it was helping my mental health. I also love how inclusive and accepting the fiber craft communities are of people with different abilities and it’s my favorite thing these days

I’ve had to take a break because of wrist pain and I’m so sad..finding another coping mechanism has been uneventful. I miss my crochet ❤️

This is so true! I started crocheting at 16 when my depression was really bad and I was struggling to get to sleep. I would lay in bed and cry for hours, unable to get to sleep or get rid of the awful thoughts in my head. After several years of this issue I finally found a blog about things to do when you can’t sleep. One of the things they suggested was crocheting. My mom had a set of hooks hidden away in her stash that I decided I would give a try. I made a wonky square at first but once I figured out I actually enjoyed it I went out and got some yarn from a small grocery store near me. I ended up starting a double crochet blanket. It was huge. I had serious plans but they didn’t end up working out. I haven’t finished that blanket still and it’s been several years. I doubt I every will but I’ve yet to rip it out because I reminds me of the reason I started crocheting. When I get overwhelmed with a project, I just have to look at that blanket and remember I started this whole craziness for myself. ❤

A delightful book to read is “Hooked…how crafting saved my life” written by Sutton Foster the Broadway actress, singer and dancer. I just finished it last night. 🌸😁🌼

Last January I had a terrible cancer scare fot my 12 yo daughter, she also hospitalized for surgery for 5 days and I spent the whole time with her, some covid restrictions were still in placecwherecI live and her dad could only stay with us one hour each day. I took the crochet project I was working on then and it kept me sane while my little girl was sleeping and slowly recovering and we still didn't know if what was inside her was malignant... we have been lucky and it wasn't but still crochet was my safe place. The fact that I learned it from a great woman that was my hubby grandma only makes it more important to me, she was the strongest woman I ever met and she gave me the most beautiful gift teaching me how to crochet. Thank you for your videos, I love listening to you talking about things I love too ❤

Hi Elise, I absolutely loved watching this video; It struck a chord with me and reminded me why I started to crochet six years ago. I was diagnosed with Crohn's disease and by the time I went to the hospital, I had lost so much blood from internal bleeding that my blood pressure had dropped to almost nothing. I don't remember much but my mom tells me of a similar story to yours where at least half a dozen doctors and nurses ran into the room to try and resuscitate me. It was traumatic for both me and my mom, and later on, I asked her to teach me how to crochet. It was immediately therapeutic for me and gives me so much joy. I have branched out to knitting and I'm making my very first sock right now. Thank you so much for making these wonderful videos and I am wishing you and your son the very best!

My daughter had epilepsy when she was alive. She passed away 12/22/21 from her heart giving out after a seizure. I understand how frightening it is for that to happen. I lost my crojo for a few months until in a dream, my daughter gave me inspiration. Now I’m back to crocheting nearly every day and thinking about how much she would love the amigurumi I am making at the moment. It really does help.

Hey! This video is amazing! You are very right! Crocheting is great for mental health and physical! I have dealt with a herniated disc for a year and a half and already had surgery once but when it came back I was devastated! Right before the second surgery I started crocheting and I haven’t stopped! It’s only been like 3 months but it’s been a huge blessing! I didn’t even need the second surgery and my nerve pain was healed! It was a God given Miracle! I’m so thankful for the gift He gave me during that difficult time!

Cross stich saw me through a very stressful period while my mother was sick. Every time I look at the finished piece famed on my wall, I too, am thankful I had the release it gave me.

My adult son was in the hospital with a critical illness and vomited and corded. We lost him for four minutes and he has lost his short term memory and is fully disabled. He is divorced so I am his primary caretaker. My Ryan is gone forever as this changed his personality. We are all adapting to our new Ryan. I know what you went thru with your son since I was in the room when he coded. If I didn't have crochet to turn to I don't know how I would have gotten thru it. In fact after watching your video I am going to show him how to chain. It may be good for him as he has tremendous anxiety now too. You are my favorite on RU-vid and have always felt a connection without knowing about your son. Bless you.

I've always used stuff like this for . . . I guess it's called stress relief. I used to think of it as an escape. I've drawn as long as I could hold a pencil, and I expanded into clay and other craft mediums in middle/high school. The only yarn stuff I did with any regularity back then was the plastic canvas stuff, but I loved the 3D stuff you can do with it. When I began crocheting, it was simply because I wanted to be able to create the stuff I was seeing, instead of paying the costs people asked at convention tables and such. (I understand, especially with the cost of the tables, and the time, materials, effort, travel, hotels, set-up, etc. that goes into being a vendor at a con, the prices are warranted, but when you're creatively minded and realize, "if I learn how to do this, I can make this myself," it's also warranted to not want to pay those prices.) I guess I'm weird, because when I'm exceptionally stressed, (for instance, when lockdown first happened,) I found I couldn't do anything. I didn't want to craft, I didn't want to write, I didn't want to crochet, I didn't want to do anything. Except read. That was my escapism of choice, because it literally was escaping into a world that wasn't reality. I think trying to do any kind of crafting/creating would attach that activity to the time in my life of feeling whatever horrible way, and I don't want that association. That said, I'm not trying to come down on people who need that activity at stressful times, and I love that you can look back on that blanket you made while your son was in the hospital and there's that positivity associated with it because you had something that helped you during such an incredibly hard time. (Also, I was really close with someone in high school who had brain surgery because of epilepsy. He had his left temporal lobe removed. I guess they determined that's where his seizures began. It didn't cure the seizures completely, but he went from having dozens/over a hundred a day that would last from thirty seconds to a minute to having ones a handful of times a week that would last around seven seconds. He also had a VNS implanted after high school.) Also, I'll admit, another huge benefit for me with crocheting is that I'm a nail biter/I pick at my cuticles. I'm better than I used to be, but I can't seem to completely kick the habit. But crocheting, especially when I'd watch my niece's soccer games, meant that I wasn't picking at my nails.

I have 2 grandsons and both have seizures. The oldest one is now off meds. Hallelujah! The youngest one just had an EEG the first of August and no seizures but had some electrical charges. Will have to say on meds and follow up with another EEG next August. My daughter lost a sone at birth. The boys have a genetic disorder that causes the seizures. God is in control we are trusting Him everyday. Praying for you and your family! ❤️🤗🙏

I cried through most of your recalling your time in the hospital with your son. My daughter went down a rabbit hole about four and a half years ago. She’s still gone and refuses to talk to anyone in our entire family. If I didn’t have my crocheting, embroidery and weaving I’d be bonkers today. When your children are ill as kids you deal with it personally, but when they are mentally ill as adults you have little control over their actions. Thanks for sharing your story. Even with a raspy voice, your words touched my heart. I do a lot of praying and crocheting at the same time. Without my faith in God and the peaceful nature of crocheting I don’t know where I’d be.

My husband committed suicide in 2012. I was devastated after 35 years of marriage. I have always crocheted since I was 9 years old. The first year after he passed away I crocheted 25 or more baby blankets and gave away..praying for the new life it would go to. It was therapy for me. When I am stressed, I crochet and it calms me so much!

My mother did all the things...(except knitting), and I am so grateful that she taught me so much. I learned to sew, embroidery, smocking, cross-stich, applique, etc. The ONE thing that I absolutely could not "get" was crochet. I tried and tried, but it was something that I just couldn't do. It felt so awkward to me and it wasn't something that I was interested in because of that. Fast forward 40 years and I find myself in the middle of a very painful divorce. About two years after the divorce, I suddenly had the impulse to crochet. I don't know why. It happened out of the blue! I had not tried to crochet for 20 years and when I picked up that hook and yarn, to my surprise and delight, I KNEW HOW TO DO IT! It "clicked" and I have no idea why. I have not stopped since. It has become a passion, now. After I told my sister about this sudden change of not knowing how to do something and being too frustrated to pursue it to now completely falling in love with it, she told me, "I think that was your therapy." She was right. Crochet helped me find my confidence, release stress, still my mind, and have something to feel good about and look forward to, even if it was just a baby bonnet or a beanie. Crochet and just the process of learning something new (and continuing to learn), and having something beautiful to focus on and create when it felt like so much had been destroyed, helped me to find joy again. Thank you for sharing your experience, and I love that you made this video!

Greetings from Canada 🇨🇦 just thank you 😉😊🤗💓🧡💚💙

I thank God for crocheting and knitting. It truly is my saving grace for my mental health. ❤

Oh my gosh can’t believe I missed this. I suffer from anxiety and depression and that’s why I crochet and knit all the time even in the car. It’s a huge! Help. Have you ever watched Josh at combat crochet on RU-vid? He is a x soldier who teaches soldiers or anyone with PTSD how to crochet. Fantastic! Elise I’m so sorry you went through what you did with your son.❤🙏

Thank you for this post. I've used crocheting and knitting over the past few months through a difficult period. I love your honesty, openness and passion for helping people. Sharing your life experience is very valuable. I've also been learning woodturning but its only once a week. I've knitted three beanies and started on Amagurumi. I'm studying now as I am now looking for employment but I'll get back to crocheting again soon.

Yes, having a child in the hospital is very stressful. I have a similar story. My son was 14 and had to have chest surgery for sunken chest syndrome which was a 4 hour surgery. To this day, I still remember the crochet project while waiting. It was a poncho for my daughter. Ty for sharing.

"It's for our Mental Health for Pete's sake"! I agree with you sweet lady!🤣

I agree with all this, having suffered severe depression myself. In October 2020 I was diagnosed with breast cancer stage 3, 6 months of chemo, 1 operation and 10 rounds of radiotherapy, without my crocheting I don't think I could have made it through.

Crocheting and knitting stitching are therapeutic for me you are so right on

I am pretty much homebound because of my grown son who also has special needs. I totally agree that crocheting and knitting have been lifesavers! Love your channel!

I'm suffering with depression and anxiety and knitting is helping me

I can so relate to this video and especially your story. My daughter was first diagnosed with Depression and Anxiety in Jan 2021 at the age of 14. This was just the beginning of the next 2 years for her and our family. In August 2021 she was diagnosed with Crohn's disease and spent the next year fighting this horrible disease in & out of Children's hospital. It was like riding a scary rollercoaster that never stopped. Her diagnosis has forever changed her life and mine as I have developed Anxiety from constantly worrying. In July 2022 she had a foot of her intestines removed and was fighting a horrible skin disease associated with Crohn's. My daughter has been doing much better, but her mental health is so complex. She has her good days and bad. I will say every time I go to the hospital with her, I am always armed with my yarn & hooks. I find myself wanting to try new patterns, which is how I stumbled across your RU-vid channel. I hope your son is doing better. It's excruciatingly painful for our Mama hearts to watch our kids suffer. Thank you for sharing and for bringing awareness. Happy Hooking!

Good morning Elise, Wow… what a beautiful way to give encouragement and a reality check on the gift of mental health to your followers,,, you know your my favorite you tuber,,,,,, I wait for Saturday”s to be inspired. I hope NINI is doing well……your sharing of this experience will touch many lives….. The Benefits of our Craft is endless. THANk YOU… I’m sure our Little flower 🌹 is smiling Today….. I know I am……..you all will be in my ❤ today at Church…….

Thank you so much for sharing this information. I am beyond grateful that you also included your story with us. We almost lost our eldest son in 2017. He was in the hospital for about a month (2 weeks of that was in the ICU) The next 2 years were spent in and out of hospitals and Dr. Offices. But. I am so grateful as we have a healthy son and I can "quit holding my breath." Like you, crochet, knitting and embroidery moved beyond creative expressions to being therapeutic mind -savers.

Thank you, Elise, for another inspiring and insightful video. Crocheting helps me so much through the challenges of retirement years. I am also learning to knit better!! I am working on the Little Cotton Rabbit thanks to your videos!!

I can SO relate to everything in this video. I am so thankful for this craft. Both knitting and crocheting have helped me through some of the most challenging, emotional and heartbreaking times. I’m spending the afternoon on the couch today just taking care of me. 💜 I’m so grateful for your videos that just seem to speak to me at the time I need it.

I don't think there is any argument against the fact that crochet and knitting is good for our mental health! Elise, I know that for me, crochet and knitting is crucial to my life, and to so many other crafters worldwide! Thank you for this wonderful video as always ❤❤

God bless you and the family.

I used to try to knit or crochet at least 2 days a week. But sense i've been getting migraines (in my late twenties. They run in my family but mine are concerning) and my anxiety has been worse. Knitting and crocheting has helped me forget my headaches and my anxiety. I've even had less crying spells.

I am so grateful your son came through that time. Thank you for sharing your story and encouragement.

Seit der Krankheit und dem Tod meiner Tochter im Januar 2018 helfen mir stricken, häkeln und sticken über diesen Verlust hinweg zu kommen. Ohne diese wundervollen Hobbies könnte ich diesen Verlust nicht verarbeiten.

Being able to stitch has always helped me. I’ve noticed when things get super busy and maybe I don’t have time to stitch for a couple days I will sit there and be like ah why do I feel so stressed and then I realize I haven’t been able to crochet or knit in days and then it clicks

I didn't realise this when I first learnt to crochet. I totally agree that it does help your mental health. I'm more calmer and happy when I am busy crocheting. My BP has improved Alot as well. Thank you for sharing your story with us 🥰❤️

I love doing my crocheting. It has helped me a lot , seeing I physically disabled. Which does get to me , so crocheting helps in zoning out and pain relief too

Hi from South Africa 🇿🇦 I agree fully. I started crocheting after my Moms death in 2012 as I wanted something to remember her by. I didn't learn from her because I just couldn't grasp it as a child. RU-vid was an amazing tool in my crochet journey. My 15 year old crochets with me. We love it, we have real quality time around our hooks 😁. Ciao

So true! Knitting, crocheting & all things stitching has helped me keep my sanity🧶

I love love love crochet!

thank you for being so venerable and sharing your story. i cant imagine how traumatic that situation must have been for you. but im glad crochet got you through it ❤ i started crocheting in 2020 as a way to escape the stress from work. im an ICU nurse and i really believe crocheting is what kept me sane during the pandemic. and it still does! about 6 of my coworkers got pregnant all within a few months, so i crocheted baby blankets for them. i never realized how much handmade gifts mean to people until then. it warms my heart to know something i made with love is being loved 😊

I have been crocheting after my eye surgery. I had suffered with Amblyopia. That is called lazy eye. When I had eye surgery to help my eye turning. I had inflammation and in pain. My eye doctor percribe antibiotic eye drops. After my eyes were getting better. I started to crocheting the inflammation going away. Very slowly and I need help I found your your RU-vid channel. On this video. That seriously saved my life. You are my favorite on RU-vid and Pintrest. It make me happy. When I see you on RU-vid.

A book I find inspiring is ‘Knit One, Purl a Prayer’ by Peggy Rosenthal, published in 2011. It is about finding stillness in knitting. I found the whole concept mind-blowing when I first read this book and I have read it several times since. I’m the kind of knitter and crocheter whose mind is always several projects further on from the one on my needles/hook, so mindful knitting isn’t something I’m particularly good at, though I can always try!

Thank you for sharing this information and your story. I have been crocheting since I was 5 and knitting everyday since Sept 2013. I can attest to the stress relief that crochet and knitting provides; not just the act of these crafts, but the community of people who share of themselves with others. It's a beautiful thing to be involved in such a wonderful community and craft.

My home was flooded in 2019. I lost an entire dumpster full of craft supplies. I was depressed and staying with a family member, I didn’t have any craft supplies so I went to Hobby Lobby and bought a crochet hook and a skein of yarn. I felt really lost after the flood and making scarves got me through.

Yes to all of this! Even when I don’t have a project to work on, I get out my cheap yarn and make a test swatch…. I just crochet different stitches and experiment with combining stitches etc. It helps my anxiety, and helped me lose weight plus I’ve gotten better at crocheting by experimenting. Not to mention all the neat things I’ve made and now get to wear or use. It’s a great hobby.

Thank you Elise for this video I know for me crochet is most definitely my therapy I do it EVERYDAY I still work a job still do all of the things I make time for it ,I just pick up that hook and yarn and it’s almost like everything is gone away just like you said in the video it is so true from what we been doing for so long they just caught up I have been crocheting for 25 years and I am 54 years young and my health is good and I know that crochet plays a part in it and I have no plans on stopping I know I have said this before Elise but I really enjoy your channel thank you for being you❤❤

I struggle with depression and anxiety and I’m currently going through a really low/rough time of it and recently got back into crocheting and I am loving the joy, outlet and relaxation that it brings me. Thank you so much for doing this video! 💗

Yes I totally agree that crocheting has help me, so thank you for sharing this video ❤

Thanks for this video Elise. This is such an important topic. Knitting has really helped me manage times of stress over the years. I’m now wanting to start crocheting too after subscribing to your channel. Thank you for sharing these resources. I am excited to read the research on them.

Awwww sweetie, sending you a big hug ❤️ you're such an amazing mom 😘😘

Thank you my sister for sharing your story and your thoughts ❤️ I love to crochet and too I find it so therapeutic 😊 Praying for you and your family. May the Lord continue to give you strength and bring your son to a complete healing. 🙏🏽 With God ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE. Matthew 19:26

Very enlightening and informative vid! I'd just like to mention that the mental health benefits of crafting aren't limited to knitting and crochet. I've done any number of crafts over the years, including knitting and crochet as well as beadwork, cross-stitch, embroidery, etc. I've found they all have a therapeutic effect in terms of greater relaxation and focus. I just wanted to point this out, because knitting and crochet may not be everyone's cup of tea, and so someone watching this vid may think they'll miss out on the benefits just because they don't engage in these particular crafts, and that's absolutely not the case. There's a wealth of craft opportunities out there, everything from weaving to needle felting to spinning yarn from wool. And the benefits aren't limited to the fiber arts; other crafts like pottery, diamond painting, watercolors, drawing, resin crafts, paper quilling, as well as certain hobbies and pasttimes like playing a musical instrument, all can provide therapeutic benefits. So if someone watching this video isn't particularly fond of knitting and/or crochet, there's a plethora of other creative opportunities for you to explore until you find one or more you enjoy. Thanks for bringing the mental health benefits of these activities to light, Elise...happy crafting, everyone!

Thank you for this week's video Elise! 😀

Elise thank you for sharing, i too find crocheting is very relaxing..I pray your son is doing well, will keep you & family in my prayers ❤⚘🍃

I can only agree. It was crochet and my son that kept me going while I was waiting for my test results for cervical cancer to come back, and when they came back not so great, again crochet and my son. I'm out of the woods now, but still with a final check up in September, for them to look at the handy work they did, during my surgery. And just a little reminder for everybody out there - GO GET YOUR PAP SMEARS DONE! Tell your loved ones to go get them done! I always had mine done and my cancer was still a surprise, between check ups. Trust me, it's a lot better getting checked an extra time, then ending up on the cancer list!

Thank you for sharing your story. I sure hope your Son if doing better 😊