The Mindfulness in Knitting

This book is an amazingly detailed, finely written account of the connection between mind, body and stitches, the value of labour and quiet reflection and an ode to the slowly handmade over the quickly produced. The author covers some of the history, some of the cliches and misconceptions about knitting and knitters, and uses small exercises to help the reader to connect their knitting experience to something deeper. There are sections on knitting as a structure for life long learning, craftivism, self-discovery.
I haven't knitted in a long time and I was thinking of this book as a gift for a friend. I went with her and her knitting circle to Shetland wool week a couple of years ago and was struck by the deep connections these knitters had with their craft and with strangers from all over the world. This lovely book helped me to understand some of those connections and brought back memories of my own early knitting experiences and made me appreciate the art all the more.

"Anyone can pick up a pair of needles and a ball of yarn. And everyone can be mindful. The Mindfulness in Knitting casts fresh light on this renowned calming craft, and reveals how the act of “knit and purl” can be the epitome of conscious living."

As an avid knitter who is always trying to strive to be more mindful this book made me want to pick up my needles and sooth the mind. There were some lovely deep connections that I took away from this book. I was really fascinated as a knitter how creativity links to mindfulness.

This is a wonderful book to read for any crafter, it would also be a fabulous book to read as part of a bookclub or knit group, it has so many potential discussion points.

I would definitely recommend this book.

There are many books in this mindfulness series. Each has a beautifully designed cover for the subject. Although they cover much the same ground they each have a unique angle to support the title theme. Here it’s knitting a activity many already find relaxing. This book will help you take that relaxation one step further and help you apply it to your daily life.

My great-grandma taught me to knit when I was young and I have been doing it, on and off, for all my life. I hadn’t realised the benefit it gave me until I read this book and suddenly acknowledged how much the act of choosing a pattern and the yarn, then the act of knitting, plus the finishing it off, can provide. The book which summarised all what knitting can provide for you to manage your anxiety, stress and depression.