Why I Knit
Why I Knit is a podcast hosted by Dr Mia Hobbs, a Clinical Psychologist who explores the mental health benefits of knitting. Each episode features an interview with a different knitter, discussing their personal reasons for knitting and how it impacts their well-being. The podcast aims to highlight the therapeutic aspects of the craft through diverse and inspiring stories.
Episodes
Knitting for depression and low mood - a bonus relisten
This week Dr Paula Redmond joins me to discuss how knitting can help with depression and low mood. We've chosen three episodes of the podcast in which my guests have discussed using knitting as a strategy to help with low mood, and we discuss our reflections and themes from these conversations.The episodes we listened to were:Series 4 episode 1 with Ellen of Sew and InspireSeries 1 episode 3 with
Journal Club - Knitting and Eating Disorders
This week Paula and I discuss the journal article investigating whether knitting can reduce anxious thoughts in people diagnosed with anorexia nervosa.Find the article here: Clave-Brule, M & Mazloum, A & Park, Rebecca & Harbottle, E. (2009). Managing anxiety in eating disorders with knitting. Eating and weight disorders : EWD. 14. e1-5. 10.1007/BF03354620. -------------🧶 We are hosting
Book Club - Art Cure and Your Brain on Art
In this bonus book club episode Paula joins me to discuss two great books about art, health and well-being. Both books take a deep dive into the research into how the arts impact on our health, well-being and education.Mia has read the New York Times bestselling book: Your Brain on Art by Susan Magsamen and Ivy Ross. This is a summary of research across different areas of the arts and how the impa
Journal Club - Can knitting reduce blood pressure?
For this journal club episode we discuss the commonly made claim that knitting can reduce blood pressure. We discuss the origins of this claim in the research and look at a new paper which examines the impact of a creative handicraft group, which included knitting, on a group of older adults living in a residential home.You can find a link to the abstract and reference here: https://onlinelibrary.
Bonus Episode - Knitting and ADHD
This is our first bonus relisten episode where Paula and I choose 3 episodes on a theme and relisten to them and give our reflections.This month we are listening to 3 episodes with knitters who discuss their experiences of ADHD and how they use knitting to benefit their well-being as an ADHD knitter.If you'd like to listen back, the episodes we discuss are:Una S8E8Madison Siegel S6E4Lisa Silver S4
Journal Club - Can knitting improve attention?
This week Paula and I discuss a research paper about knitting and attention in children.Sonnier F, Lussiana E and Gueraud S (2023) Boosting inhibition control process by knitting at school. Front. Psychol. 14:1062001. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1062001This study is specifically focussed on whether knitting can affect our executive function skills, and found that primary school children had significan
Knitting to focus on the present moment with Simon of Veteran Knitter
For the final episode of series 9 I am joined by Simon, also known as Veteran Knitter and one of the contestants from Game of Wool, the knitting and crochet based TV show in the UK.Simon speaks about how he first came to pick up some knitting needles and his journey from a secret knitter who handed out hand knit gifts to his surprised friends and family, to going public on Instagram and then takin
Knitting to feel like myself again with Annah of Needle and Feather
This week I am delighted to be joined by Annah of Needle and Feather. Annah is a designer of colourwork knitting designs often inspired by nature and if you follow me on Instagram you'll have seen that I am enjoying knitting her Year by Piece blanket which is made up of a square inspired by each month of the year.Annah speaks about turning to knitting during a period of anxiety when she needed a s
Knitting for Self-Reflection with Nicole Nehrig
Clinical Psychologist and author Nicole Nehrig joins me this week to discuss her own relationship with knitting and how this lead to writing the book 'With Her Own Hands: Women Weaving Their Stories' in which she explores the meaningful role that textile work has played in so many women’s lives.Find out about Nicole Nehrig-------------🧶 We are hosting a LIVE version of our webinar The Healing Powe
ADHD, dopamine and flow with Theodora Burrow
Joining me this week on the podcast is designer Theodora Burrow.Theodora is a knit and crochet designer who taught herself to knit and crochet from books, way before there was an internet. After her ADHD diagnosis at the age of 50 she realized just how important knitting and crochet had been in her life, and how it both soothes and sparks creativity in equal measure. She creates knitting and croch
Knitting to find pause with Maya from Knit With Attitude
Maya is the owner of Knit With Attitude, one of the longest running yarn shops in London. She speaks about using knitting as a strategy to manage her own health difficulties, and about the sudden change that lead her to speak about knitting and mental health on a daily basis in her shop.Maya is also running the Knit Calm Retreat on Sunday 22nd February where both she and Mia are speaking. For info
Knitting to channel anxiety with Lauren Aston
Series 9 kicks of with a conversation with Lauren Aston, the founder of Lauren Aston Designs. I first came across Lauren when looking up some of Claudia Winkleman's excellent knitwear on the second series of The Traitors UK. I was delighted to find Lauren's knitting pattern behind one of them!Lauren speaks about the phenomenon that is 'The Claudia Sweater' and the challenge of continuing to get we
Bonus episode - Knitting and Creative Restoration in 2025
For our last episode of 2025, Paula and Mia reflect on their own knitting and craft projects over the past year, and the ways in which they have used knitting as part of their self-care.They also look back at the new developments in Creative Restoration over the past year, and share their thoughts on the TV show Game of Wool.They share their plans for their own knitting and for Creative Restoratio
Book Club Episode - Wintering by Katherine May
For this bonus book club episode we have read the brilliant bestselling book 'Wintering' by Katherine May and speak about how it links to burnout. Wintering takes us through living through personal and seasonal winters and how knitting can be a brilliant activity to accompany us through both types of winter.-------------🧶 We are hosting a LIVE version of our webinar The Healing Power of Knitting o
Bonus episode - Knitting for burnout prevention with Dr Paula Redmond
For this bonus episode I am joined by Dr Paula Redmond who specialises in working with health professionals experiencing burnout.Paula speaks about her own journey into this work during Covid, and how creativity in her personal life has encouraged her to bring this into her work.We talk about what burnout is, and who might be more likely to experience it, and why knitting is a great tool to preven
Journal Club - Knitting for anxiety and compassion fatigue in nurses
Join Clinical Psychologists Dr Mia Hobbs and Dr Paula Redmond as we discuss two research papers about knitting and mental health.These papers both relate to nurses and supporting them with the challenges of their role.Paper 1 relates to using knitting to reduce compassion fatigue in nursesPaper 2 relates to using knitting to reduce anxiety in nursing students-------------🧶 We are hosting a LIVE ve
Healing and soothing through knitting with Dr Katya Miles
For the final episode of series 8 I am delighted to be joined by Dr Katya Miles of The Working Well Doctor. Katya works as a Coach and Trainer for health professionals and people in high stress professions.She speaks about turning to knitting during the Covid pandemic when she was self-isolating with covid and how she now associates knitting with healing and soothing, and it is part of her own too
Neurodivergence and knitting with Una
I was delighted to be joined by Una, also known as @TheNeurodivergentCraftClub on Instagram. Una speaks about how knitting has been helpful in recovering from burnout, but has also been a really useful way to find out what her brain really needs - both to find some moments of focus and to feel settled and satisfied.It was so interesting to talk to Una about her experience of being a neurodivergent
Teaching children to knit with Okeyele-Olatunji Elizabeth
Elizabeth is a knitting teacher based in Nigeria, and she has made it her personal mission to teach 20,000 children to knit and 'think with their hands'. It was a pleasure to speak to Elizabeth about her own journey to becoming a knitting teacher, and how she has personally used knitting to help her to cope with grief and loss. Elizabeth also speaks about her experiences of teaching children to kn
Creating Community with Allison Thistlewood
Allison Thistlewood is a creator of community in the knitting world. She has had various roles in and around the yarn industry, and the common thread in all of these roles is that she brings knitters together: at yarn festivals, for yarn crawls and on retreats and trips.Allison joins me to talk about her experience of moving to the UK from Canada, and how knitting was instrumental in helping her t
Hooked on knitting with Adam Cleevely
Adam is behind the successful Instagram account @CleevelyKnits where he shares his funny and creative adventures in yarn. Most recently these have included videos on wine-pairings for yarn, and attempting to knit a usable QR code! There is a very strong theme of Adam being someone who thinks outside the box, which is illustrated by the fact that he hasn't knitted from a pattern for several years.D
Knitting and the menopause with Dr Zoe
In the second of two episodes, this week I speak to Dr Zoe, a GP specialising in menopause. Zoe's colleagues joined me last week to speak about knitting a blanket for her following her recent cancer diagnosis.Zoe speaks about her long history of using knitting to benefit her mental well-being, how she is using it now during her cancer treatment and how knitting has allowed her to find spaces where
Knitting a blanket of support with the menopause specialists
This week I am joined by Sharon Hartmann, Dr Sarah Ball and Dr Carys Sonnenberg who are all health professionals working in the field of menopause. They have come together to create a shared knitting project in support of two of their colleagues who are going through treatment for cancer. This is the first of two episodes featuring menopause specialists and their colleague Dr Zoe, who is one of th
The accidental knitter with Martyn of Knit365
This week I am delighted to be joined by Martyn, host of the Knit365 YouTube channel. I loved speaking to Martyn about his journey from beginning as an accidental knitter, having made an off-the-cuff promise to his grandmother, to a daily knitter with a successful YouTube Channel about his adventures in yarn.It was great to hear how Martyn has discovered the therapeutic benefits of knitting along
Adaptive knitting with Beth Gorishek
To kick off series 8 I am deligted to be joined by Beth Gorishek who is also known the Adaptive Knitter. Beth was born with a limb difference and through teaching, speaking and workshops helps knitters to learn how to make adaptations to their knitting practice so that it works for their body.Beth believes that makers are well placed to be adaptive as this is part of the creative process of making
Bonus episode Journal Club 4 - Does crochet improve attention?
This month we are discussing a paper published in Scientific Reports (part of the prestigious Nature group of peer-reviewed scientific journals) about the impact of crochet on attention.You can read the full paper here.This is a study by neurologists into how crochet impacts on attentional networks. It combines brain imaging with an interesting experimental design. It is a complex read, involving
Series 8 is coming soon!
I am delighted to announce that Series 8 will be live next month!I have had some really interesting conversations with my guests this series and I can't wait to share them with you.In the meantime, if you'd like to be kept up to date on all the latest news you can sign up to the Creative Restoration Newsletter which is a montly round up of all our events, workshops, podcasts and blogs, along with
Bonus episode- Book club 1 - The psychology of craft
In our first book club episode, Paula and Mia each discuss a book they have read on the subject of the psychology of craft.Paula has read 'Craftfulness' by Arzu Tahsin and Rosemary DavidsonMia has read 'Craft Psychology' by Dr Anne KirketerpIf you'd like to learn more about how to use knitting for your self-care, check out our course Self-Care One Stitch at a Time.-------------🧶 We are hosting a L
Bonus episode - question and answer
Join Paula and I as we answer your questions about the field of knitting and mental health. Apologies that the audio quality isn't as good as usual for this episode, we tried out a new method of recording and had a few technical issues.We'll be back at the end of the month with a Book Club episode!If you'd like to learn more about how to use knitting for your self-care, check out our course Self-
Bonus episode Journal Club 3- Experiences of knitting while living with mental distress
This month Dr Paula Redmond and I discuss another research paper into knitting and mental health.The paper we discuss is: Joanna Nordstrand, A. Birgitta Gunnarsson & Greta HäggblomKronlöf (2024) Promoting health through yarncraft: Experiences of an online knitting group living with mental illness, Journal of Occupational Science, 31:3, 504-515,The full text of this article is available here: h
Bonus Episode – Journal Club 2 - the benefits of knitting for personal and social wellbeing
This is our second bonus episode for anyone wanting to know or read more about the research into how knitting can benefit our mental well-being.Fellow clinical psychologist and knitter, Dr Paula Redmond and I will be reading one research paper a month and discussing it in our journal club podcast.We are also planning a Question an Answer episode, so if you have any questions about the research int
Bonus episode - Journal Club Episode 1 - The impact of needlecraft on mental health
This is a bonus episode for anyone wanting to know or read more about the research into how knitting can benefit our mental well-being.Fellow clinical psychologist and knitter, Dr Paula Redmond and I will be reading one research paper a month and discussing it in our journal club podcast. This month we are discussing Healing Stitches: a scoping review of the impact of needlcraft on mental health a
Knitting for connection and community with Kristina LaVenia
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 w
Knitting a legacy with Carole Wyatt
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.-------------🧶 We are hosting a LIVE version of our webinar The Healing Power of Knitting on 14th July at 7pm BST followed by a Q&A🧶 If you'd like to learn more about
We don't go to therapy just to be soothed with Tamanna Rahman
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
Knitting to love the body I have with Whitney Swinimer
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
Crafting social change with Elena Lo Presti of Craft Forward
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 ow
Discovering a grounded joy with Christina Socorro Yovovich
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 Yovovichwebsit
Everyone deserves an affirming wardrobe with Victoria Marchant
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: @victoriamarchantknits-------------🧶 We are hosting a LIVE version of our webinar The Healing Power of Knitting on 14th July at 7pm BST followed by a
Mistakes are vital with Bafta nominated filmmaker Samantha Moore
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: @sammooreanimate-------------🧶 We are hosting a LIVE version of our webinar The Healing Power of
Bonus episode -Understanding the therapeutic hand movements of knitting with Dr Claire Plumbly
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: @drclaireplumbly-------------🧶 We are hosting a LIVE version of our webinar The Healin
The Q&A Episode
Thanks so much for your questions for the Q&A episode, it has been so interesting to be asked such great questions.-------------🧶 We are hosting a LIVE version of our webinar The Healing Power of Knitting on 14th July at 7pm BST followed by a Q&A🧶 If you'd like to learn more about how to use knitting for your self-care, check out our course Self-Care One Stitch at a Time.🧶Catch up on our o
Making something beautiful from the darkest places in life with Elizabeth Hammond
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
Feeding a part of my brain that needs to be fed with Ellen Coy
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: @kni
Knitting to connect mind and body with Madison Siegel
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 Instagra
Reconstructing yourself through craft with Susie Bass
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
Putting slowness at the heart of life with Fran of Woollen Hearted
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: @woollenhearted-------------🧶 We are hosting a LIVE version of our webinar The Healing Power of Knitting on 14th July at 7
Loose Ends with Masey Kaplan and Jen Simonic
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.looseend
Series 6 coming soon!
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: @knittingistherapeuticMentioned in this episode:How to support the podcastThank
Crochet is a reason to live with Kathryn Vercillo
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 he
Knitting for confidence and self-compassion with Jessica Hendrickson
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. Je
Knitting to refill my mental health bucket with Dr Kaman Hansford
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 al
Knitting is a constant companion with Kesha Evans
Kesha Evans learned to knit 11 years ago when her son was born prematurely and was in the NICU. She was approached by Carol Caparosa from Project Knitwell who offered to teach her to knit. Despite not considering herself creative at all, Kesha agreed to learn and ended up feeling that the visits from Carol were as important to her as those of the doctors and nurses.Today Kesha is on the board at P
Knitting myself back together with Jude Harper of Stranded Dyeworks
Jude generously joined me to speak about how he found knitting and the knitting community during a difficult time, and how knitting was a crucial part of putting himself back together.He also speaks about the death of his parents last year, and how he continues to feel connected to them both through the memories held in knitted items, and also in the other new hobbies and skills that Jude has disc
Knitting for work-life balance with Shona Mason
Dr Shona Mason is a dentist and teacher who encourages her students to develop interests outside of dentistry to prevent burnout and encourage them to have a positive work-life balance. As part of this mission she runs a knitting group for students, one of whom got in touch with me and suggested that she'd make a great interviewee for the podcast!ShonaInstagram: @shonamasonmakes-------------🧶 We a
Series 5 is coming soon!
I am so sorry that it has taken much longer than planned for Series 5! However I am pleased to announce that episode one will be available this Thursday 15th June.In the meantime you can listen to all the previous episodes here or on your favourite podcast app.Mentioned in this episode:Join us to learn more about the mental health benefits of knitting!`We are running our popular webinar The Heali
Intentional crafting with Marceline of Hey BrownBerry
It was a joy to spend time with Marceline to hear her reflections on her relationship with knitting, how this has changed over time, and how she aims to be more intentional in her making.Marceline speaks about tuning in to what she needs from her crafts at a given time in her life, and how connecting to 'the old way' of doing things has helped her to navigate the times when something needs to be u
Reclaiming something for myself with Andrea Lui the Knitting PT
Andrea is a physical therapist and passionate knitter who is perfectly placed to provide professional advice on what to do when we suffer pain when knitting, and how to prevent it in future.Andrea speaks about how she returned to knitting as a new mum, and how it helped her to find a few minutes each day to do something for herself. She also shares her reflections as a physiotherapist on her impor
Knitting for calm and connection with Kaleb James
Kaleb decided to return to knitting during the pandemic as a way of managing anxiety and to feel connected to his mum who had been a prolific knitter. Kaleb speaks about finding that knitting allowed them to slow down, feel calmer and connected to a different community of people.KalebInstagram: @all_things_kaleb-------------🧶 We are hosting a LIVE version of our webinar The Healing Power of Knitti
A happy dance with my hands with Lisa Silver
I knew I wanted to interview Lisa for the podcast when I heard her speaking about her experience of having ADHD on Irina Shaar's 'Humans of Westknits' series during the recent Westknits mystery knit along.As someone who isn't great at just sitting and watching TV or listening to something, I feel knitting improves my ability to sit and focus and was interested to hear how Lisa felt about this.Lisa
Something that meets me where I am with Ailie the Thoughtful Knitter
Ailie hosts the Thoughtful Knitter YouTube channel. She speaks about returning to knitting in recent years as her health problems meant that she wasn't able to connect with friends and family in the same way.Ailie speaks about her journey from a slightly reluctant knitter to someone who knits every day and focuses more on the process than the end product.AilieYouTube: The Thoughtful KnitterInstagr
Being a part of history with Irina Shaar
You can tell by the way Irina Shaar interviews knitters and other fibre artists that she loves connecting with people and finding out how they tick, so it was brilliant to hear her story and to get the chance to find out what she has learned from interviewing hundreds of knitters about their craft.IrinaYou can watch Fiberchats on YouTube here: FiberchatsInstagram: @Fiberchats-------------🧶 We are
Knitting as a safe space with Ellen of Sew and Inspire
Ellen is a pretty inspiring 16 year old! She sews and knits and already seems to have figured out how to use these crafts intentionally to manage the times when she is struggling with low mood or anxiety. She also speaks about how craft helps her connect to family members and has been passed down through the generations in her family.EllenInstagram: @sewandinspireEtsy shop: Sew and inspire--------
Series 4 coming soon!
Series 4 is coming on 15th December! Sorry for the long wait and thanks for your patience. I am looking forward to sharing these 7 new conversations with you.If you have guest suggestions, please send me an email at mia@therapeuticknitting.org or message me on Instagram where I am @knittingistherapeuticYou can also sign up to my mailing list to find out more about my work at www.therapeuticknit
Creating something from nothing with Sylvia Watts-Cherry
Sylvia Watts-Cherry is a knitwear designer and teacher who is probably best known for her colourful intarsia designs. I love listening to other people talk about knitting, and was really drawn to Sylvia's description of her Paragon sweater design as being a 'happy knit' and the idea that intarsia feels therapeutic for her as she doesn't have time to think....something I relate to!I also loved hear
Something beautiful in every day with Dr Jen Unwin
Dr Jen Unwin is a clinical and health psychologist who after retiring from her NHS role is now working with people with food addictions. She is a lifelong knitter who has herself found that knitting is an important part of her own self-care and because of this has also used knitting to benefit others as part of her work.You can find out more:Dr Jen UnwinInstagram: @Jen_unwinTwitter: @jen_unwin----
Creating something meaningful with Eileen Jack
Eileen has been a knitter since she was a child, but returned to it recently during a challenging time in her life. She discovered a new love for knitting and has now started to create her own designs. Eileen speaks about how knitting has been a form of self-expression, and how she rarely keeps the things she knits, but she loves planning the perfect gift for someone....even if she has never met t
Knitting for compassion, connection and creativity with Dr Paula Redmond
Dr Paula Redmond is a clinical psychologist who specialises in working with healthcare professionals who have experienced burnout or workplace trauma. Paula and I met through the world of psychology, and I was delighted to meet another clinical psychologist who knits, and also speaks about creativity, including knitting, in her work. Paula speaks about her personal journey with knitting and how it
Knitting is just something just for me with Liz McNeil
This week I am joined by Liz McNeil. Liz is a knitting coach who works for Knit Chats where she helps knitters with their knitting dilemmas and teaches classes about different techniques. Liz speaks about how knitting has helped her through the challenges of having small children, when finding tiny pockets of time for herself was particularly difficult. She also speaks about how knitting allowed h
The origins of Project Knitwell with Carol Caparosa
Although Carol Caprosa doesn't consider herself to be an 'expert knitter' she, along with the many volunteers working on behalf of Project Knitwell have brought the gift of knitting to thousands of people during stressful times in their lives.It was amazing to hear the origin story of Project Knitwell, how returning to knitting when her daughter was very unwell as a newborn baby gave Carol the ide
Storytelling in Knitting with Karie Westermann
It was such a pleasure to meet Karie and speak to her about how she learned to knit and dressmake out of necessity as a very young child in rural Denmark. Then many years later, knitting helped her to recover from a serious illness and returning to it eventually lead to her career as a knitwear designer, teacher and writer.I loved hearing about the importance of storytelling in Karie's designs, an
Trailer Series 3
Series 3 is coming on 23rd June!I am so looking forward to sharing another series of 6 conversations with knitters, designers and even another psychologist.You can catch up on all the previous episodes at the website: Podcast | Why I Knit Podcast (therapeuticknitting.org)Mentioned in this episode:Join us to learn more about the mental health benefits of knitting!`We are running our popular webinar
Knitting for a sense of achievement with Liz O'Riordan
CW: discussion of cancer, loss of fertility and depressionLiz O'Riordan is a breast surgeon who has herself experienced cancer, twice. She now works as a speaker, author and podcaster providing high quality and accessible information about cancer from her expertise as both a doctor and a patient.Liz is also a lifelong knitter and more recently a sewer. Although Liz said that she often thinks tha
The magic of turning an idea into reality with Clare Mountain-Manipon
Clare is a knitting pattern designer and design mentor. She learned to knit as a teenager and studied knitwear design but after working in the commercial fashion industry has found her niche designing patterns and helping other people learn to make their designs into reality. It was great to hear the perspective of a pattern designer, as Clare loves being able to turn her ideas into tangible obj
Knitting in cancer care with Susan Yaguda
TW: Cancer and bereavementSusan Yaguda is passionate about knitting as a form self-care. She is an oncology nurse who has used knitting with both staff and patients at the Cancer Institute in Charlotte, North Carolina. These have included setting up a knitting group for people who are receiving chemotherapy and developing a study into whether knitting can help with the symptoms of 'chemobrain' (
The power of colour with Milli Abrams
It was an absolute pleasure to speak to Milli about her relationship with knitting. Right now she is the owner of Tribe Yarns, a yarn shop in Richmond-upon-Thames in London but she has also circumnavigated the globe on a yacht with her family and worked with Richard Branson as his CFO. Knitting has been a constant through all her adventures.Milli also has a qualification in Applied Colour Psycho
The magic of creating with Casey Bernard
This week I was excited to be joined by Casey Bernard, who is one half of the Very Pink Knits podcast. I have listened to this podcast for several years now and particularly enjoy the conversations that Casey and Staci have about the differences between them and their relationship to their knitting and the dilemma of 'process versus project' knitting.To find the full transcript see the blog postT
Crafting a connection to self and others with Nasreen Imrit
Nasreen (also known as @sewcraftynaz on Instagram) is a multi-crafter and relatively new knitter. She joins me on the podcast to talk about how craft has allowed her to connect to her mother who died when she was very young, and to her children who have inherited her love of making. Nasreen also speaks about how making time for creativity is a really important part of her own self-care as a docto
The Joy of Making with Meghan Fernandes and Lydia Gluck
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 a pleasure to talk to Meghan and Lydia about their love of making and how th
Why I Knit Series 2 Trailer
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.Mentioned in this episode:How to support the podcastThank you so much for listening. If you value the podcast and would like to support it, here's how:
1. Sign up to our monthly
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