Why I Knit

Have you ever stressed yourself our by overcommitting to gift knitting? Do you end up being exhausted by the festive season? Then we have a bonus episode for you! Subscribe to the Creative Restoration newletter here to receive our bonus episode as soon as it is released on 14th November to help you keep your self-care on track during Christmas, and continue to use knitting to benefit your mental wellbeing.This is the final episode in series 7 - thank you so much for listening!Joining me this week is Kristina LaVenia who is a senior lecturer in leadership at the University of Canterbury in Christchurch, New Zealand. She has collaborated with Project Knitwell on research delivering knitting workshops for staff in educational settings.Kristina speaks about her own journey using knitting throughout the pandemic, and her experience of offering this as an intervention to others.You can follow Kristina on Instagram here: @klaveniaMia HobbsFind out about our NEW Audio Course Self-Care One Stitch at a TimeSign up to the newsletter to be the first to know about new episodes: www.therapeuticknitting.orgInstagram: @knittingistherapeutic

Carole Wyatt is a cancer doctor who has been diagnosed with advanced breast cancer. She speaks about using knitting to cope with the difficult days, and also to create a handknitted legacy to pass down to her future grandchildren. Mia HobbsFind out about our NEW Audio Course Self-Care One Stitch at a TimeSign up to the newsletter to be the first to know about new episodes: www.therapeuticknitting.orgInstagram: @knittingistherapeuticMentioned in this episode:Self-Care One Stitch at a Time

Tamanna is a nurse practioner and multi-crafter who works in the field of mental health. Tamanna joins me to speak about her own journey to knitting, sewing and embroidery, how this connects her to family traditions and her values of sustainability and ethical production of clothing.She also speaks about she uses fibre arts to benefit the mental health of herself and others.Tamanna RahmanInstagram: @slow.work.sewingWebsite: slow.work.sewingMia HobbsFind out about our NEW Audio Course Self-Care One Stitch at a TimeSign up to the newsletter to be the first to know about new episodes: www.therapeuticknitting.orgInstagram: @knittingistherapeuticMentioned in this episode:Self-Care One Stitch at a Time

Whitney is a plus size knitter and YouTuber who is passionate about taking back the power to create clothes she loves in colours she enjoys. She speaks about how knitting has helped her to love the body she has, rather than feel that she to change her body to fit the clothes she can buy.Whitney SwinimerWhitney's website: knittedbywhitneyYouTube: Knitted by WhitneyWhitney's article on how knitting helped her to fall in love with her bodyInstagram: @knittedbywhitneyMia HobbsFind out about our NEW Audio Course Self-Care One Stitch at a TimeSign up to the newsletter to be the first to know about new episodes: www.therapeuticknitting.orgInstagram: @knittingistherapeuticMentioned in this episode:Self-Care One Stitch at a Time

Elena Lo Presti is the founder and director of Craft Forward, which is a not-for-profit organisation that provides accessible, creative, experiences suitable for everyone, regardless of their skills and background. Their aim is to disrupt the current elitism within the arts and crafts world and open creativity to all through workshops with a clear social impact.Elena joins me to speak about her own personal story learning to knit as a way of connecting with her grandmother during the pandemic, and tells the story of how she turned this new passion into Craft Forward.Craft ForwardWebsite: https://craftforward.com/ To donate to the Blankets for London campaign (before 10th November 2024): Blankets for LondonInstagram: @craft_forwardMia HobbsFind out about our NEW Audio Course Self-Care One Stitch at a TimeSign up to the newsletter to be the first to know about new episodes: www.therapeuticknitting.orgInstagram: @knittingistherapeuticMentioned in this episode:Self-Care One Stitch at a Time

Christina Socorro Yovovich is a writer, knitter and multi-crafter. Christina speaks about how since being diagnosed with bipolar disorder, she had struggled to access joy without worrying about whether this was a sign that she was becoming unwell. She explains how returning to knitting has allowed her to access a safe and more grounded form of joy in her daily life.Christina Socorro Yovovichwebsite: Christina Socorro YovovichYouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/@DesertAgaveFiberArts .Instagram: @cyovovichMia HobbsFind out about our NEW Audio Course Self-Care One Stitch at a TimeSign up to the newsletter to be the first to know about new episodes: www.therapeuticknitting.orgInstagram: @knittingistherapeuticMentioned in this episode:Self-Care One Stitch at a Time

Victoria Marchant is an inclusive knitwear designer who puts size inclusivity at the heart of all her designs. Her latest design, the Padstow Cardigan will be released on October 18th.Victoria MarchantWebsite: www.victoriamarchantknits.comInstagram: @victoriamarchantknitsMia HobbsFind out about our NEW Audio Course Self-Care One Stitch at a TimeSign up to the newsletter to be the first to know about new episodes: www.therapeuticknitting.orgInstagram: @knittingistherapeuticMentioned in this episode:Creative Restoration RetreatCome and join us at the Creative Restoration retreat www.creativerestoration.orgCreative Restoration RetreatCome and join us at the Creative Restoration retreat www.creativerestoration.org

Samantha Moore is a filmmaker and animator who directed the BAFTA nominated animated film 'Visible Mending' which is about the ways we repair ourselves through knitting. If you haven't seen Sam's brilliant film, you can watch the film at Sam's Vimeo channel here: Visible MendingFollow Sam on Instagram: @sammooreanimateMia HobbsFind out about our NEW Audio Course Self-Care One Stitch at a TimeSign up to the newsletter to be the first to know about new episodes: www.therapeuticknitting.orgInstagram: @knittingistherapeuticMentioned in this episode:Self-Care One Stitch at a Time

In this bonus episode Dr Claire Plumbly, Clinical Psychologist and EMDR specialist joins me to discuss what the theory behind EMDR can tell us about why we find the hand movements of knitting so therapeutic.Claire PlumblyBuy her book:  https://www.drclaireplumbly.com/burnout-bookwww.drclaireplumbly.comInstagram: @drclaireplumblyMia HobbsFind out about our NEW Audio Course Self-Care One Stitch at a TimeSign up to the newsletter to be the first to know about new episodes: www.therapeuticknitting.orgInstagram: @knittingistherapeutic

Fran is a bear maker and multi-crafter who is originally from the UK but now lives in the Pyrenees mountains of France. Fran speaks about how craft has helped to negotiate living with chronic illness and a diagnosis of bipolar disorder.FranWebsite: Woollenhearted.comInstagram: @woollenheartedMia HobbsFind out more at my website: www.therapeuticknitting.orgFollow me on Instagram: @knittingistherapeuticMentioned in this episode:Self-Care One Stitch at a Time

Thanks so much for your questions for the Q&A episode, it has been so interesting to be asked such great questions.Mia HobbsFind out more at my website: www.therapeuticknitting.orgFollow me on Instagram: @knittingistherapeuticMentioned in this episode:Self-Care One Stitch at a Time

For the final episode of series 6 I am joined by Elizabeth Hammond, also known as The Knitchen on Instagram.Elizabeth describes herself as a knitter, test knitter and dabbling designer. She joins me to speak about turning to knitting to help with her mental health and also during her recovery from a car accident.Thanks so much for listening to the 6th series of the podcast - we have now reached an incredible 100,000 downloads! To celebrate this milestone I am recording a Q&A episode - if you have a question please get in touch!ElizabethInstagram: @theknitchenRavelry: Elizabeth HammondMia HobbsFind out more at my website: www.therapeuticknitting.orgFollow me on Instagram: @knittingistherapeuticMentioned in this episode:Self-Care One Stitch at a Time

Ellen describes herself a tech editor and occasional designer who identifies as queer and neurodivergent.She speaks about how knitting feeds her inner engineer and allows her to use some skills that she might otherwise have explored in her career. She also talks about the ways in which knitting helps her to connect to family, friends and a new community.EllenWebsite: www.knithow.comInstagram: @knithowMia HobbsFind out more at my website: www.therapeuticknitting.orgFollow me on Instagram: @knittingistherapeuticMentioned in this episode:Self-Care One Stitch at a Time

Madison Siegel joins me this week to speak about using knitting as a mindful practice to help her to step back from and notice her thoughts rather than be caught up in them.She speaks about having a diagnosis of ADHD and feeling anxious after the birth of her second child, and how knitting has been part of finding balance and allowing herself to take up space.Madison doesn't have a public Instagram account.Mia HobbsFind out more at my website: www.therapeuticknitting.orgFollow me on Instagram: @knittingistherapeuticMentioned in this episode:Self-Care One Stitch at a Time

Susie Bass is a researcher studying a PHD in the relationship between power, identity and mental health through craft. Susie is a knitter and multi-crafter and during our discussion she speaks about how craft has been a common thread which has helped her to process traumatic events in her life, and to reconstruct herself afterwards.CONTENT WARNING: During our conversation Susie speaks about losing a baby and experiencing a sexual assault. She also speaks about the process of being diagnosed with ADHD and Autism in adulthood.Susie BassInstagram: @susiebass_anyhow for links to Susie's workMia HobbsFind out more at my website: www.therapeuticknitting.orgFollow me on Instagram: @knittingistherapeuticMentioned in this episode:Self-Care One Stitch at a Time

The Loose Ends Project aims to ease grief, create community, and inspire generosity by matching volunteer handwork finishers with projects people have left unfinished due to death or disability. The founders, Masey and Jen join me to discuss their own personal relationships with knitting and the story of how they created the Loose Ends Project.Loose EndsFind out more at their website: www.looseendsproject.orgFollow them on Instagram: @looseendsprojectMia HobbsFind out more at my website: www.therapeuticknitting.orgFollow me on Instagram: @knittingistherapeuticMentioned in this episode:Self-Care One Stitch at a Time

The Why I Knit Podcast is back with series 6 starting on 4th January 2024!Thanks to everyone who has been in touch to ask when the new episodes are coming out - I look forward to sharing 6 more conversations with you from 4th January.MiaWebsite: therapeuticknitting.orgPatreon: patreon.com/therpeuticknittingInstagram: @knittingistherapeutic

Kathryn Vercillo is a writer and crafter who specialises in the intersection between art and mental health. I particularly loved Kathryn's focus on her relationship with craft being something that is constantly evolving, and her celebration of every part of the process.Kathryn speaks about crochet has helped save her life during periods of depression, and also talks about how she used crochet to help her through the grief following her friend's death through suicide.Kathryn Vercillo Instagram @createmefreeSubstack: https://createmefree.substack.com/Books:  https://www.amazon.com/Kathryn-Vercillo/e/B001JPC6IOMiaMiaWebsite: therapeuticknitting.orgPatreon: patreon.com/therpeuticknittingInstagram: @knittingistherapeuticMentioned in this episode:Self-Care One Stitch at a Time

Jessica Hendrickson is the Creative Design Director at Lion Brand Yarn. As a teenager she had such a strong desire to make and wear her own clothes, that she told her parents she had to attend a school without a uniform. She continues to use knitting and crochet to express her identity, but over time she has also used them to help find her way through post-natal depression and to help her focus. Jessica speaks about how she manages her desire to knit all the things as quickly as possible, but also how her constant drive for new experiences is a superpower in her role as Design Director which requires her to come up with new designs and use new yarns on a daily basis.Jessica and Lion Brand YarnWebiste: Lion Brand Yarn Tom Daley's “Made With Love Collection," which will beavailable for purchase in September 2023 at Michaels and on LionBrand.com.Instagram: @lionbrandyarn  @jesssicaleee @madewithlovebytomdaleyMiaWebsite: therapeuticknitting.orgPatreon: patreon.com/therpeuticknittingInstagram: @knittingistherapeuticMentioned in this episode:Self-Care One Stitch at a Time

Dr Kaman Hansford is a GP who joined us on one of our retreats for healthcare professionals. She has lived experience of using mental health services and knitting is now a crucial part of her wellbeing plan.Kaman speaks about feeling that she can use knitting as an early warning sign if her mental health is deteriorating, and also that it is one of the tools she uses daily to access some calm.I also really valued Kaman's perspective on using knitting as a way of becoming more self-compassionate.Kaman is not on social media, so if you have any comments on this episode I am very happy to pass them on!MiaMiaWebsite: therapeuticknitting.orgPatreon: patreon.com/therpeuticknittingInstagram: @knittingistherapeuticMentioned in this episode:Self-Care One Stitch at a Time