Research supports the notion that knitting and other forms of crafting have real mental health benefits. A study published in the British Journal of Occupational Therapy found that 81% of knitters with depression reported feeling happier after knitting. Over 50% of them said that knitting made them feel calm and productive.
Another study in the journal Perspectives on Psychological Science looked at how repetitive tasks like knitting activate the relaxation response in the brain. The researchers found that crafts that require focus and repetition can reduce the body’s levels of cortisol, the stress hormone, leaving you feeling more balanced and grounded.