Why Crochet and Knitting are My Chosen Form of Self-Care

8/5/32025

The phrase “Life is crazy” is a cliché, but it’s true! I feel like I’m constantly being pulled in a hundred different directions all the time. Like figuring out what to make for dinner, keeping up with work and responsibilities, meeting up with friends...the list goes on and on. Each day brings its own unique challenges, but over time, I’ve built a small toolbox of habits and practices to help me stay centered.

One of my favorite tools? Yarn. More specifically, knitting and crochet. These are my tools of choice as a form of self-care.

Where It All Started

My first exposure to crochet came when I was a child. My mom would crochet blankets in the rare spare moments between raising us kids and juggling her college classes. I would watch her hands move with speed and purpose, amazed at how she turned yarn into something so beautiful and intricate. She made it look effortless and fast! At the time, I couldn’t begin to wrap my head around the idea of crocheting something myself, but I knew it was something I wanted to learn in the future.

When I was about ten, I asked her to teach me. She agreed, and I tried my best to follow her instructions…but after ten minutes, I was frustrated. Crochet had always looked easy, but it wasn’t! For some reason, my movements didn't look like hers. Mine were clunky and stiff. After those 10 minutes had passed I told her I was giving up crochet. My mom simply laughed and went back to what she had been doing before, while I sat there defeated. As a 10-year-old, this was not a skill that I could learn within 1-2 hours. It was going to take a deeper investment that I wasn’t willing to pay for at the time.

A few years later, when I was around 15 or 16, the interest sparked again. This time, I had the patience, a free weekend, and the power of YouTube! I watched tutorials, read blog posts, and slowly learned how to chain, single crochet, double crochet, and beyond.  Soon after, I started making granny square blankets. They were easy, and I could make them in a short amount of time.

What started as a hobby quickly became something more. As my high school schedule got busier and life became more mentally taxing, I realized crochet was helping me calm my brain. The act of crocheting gave me a flow state. It provided a way to slow down my thoughts without stopping them completely. I could breathe. I could focus. I could feel the stress leave my body, stitch by stitch. The whole process was fantastic for my angsty teenage brain.

Now, as an adult, I still crochet, and I’ve added knitting to the mix. While each craft is slightly different, they both offer me the same thing: stillness, peace, and presence. Down below, I've listed 5 reasons why I continue to use knitting and crochet as a form of self-care.

1. Stillness and Meditation

In a noisy world, yarn gives me a quiet place to land. I find an empty room in the house or sit outside in nature. It's just me and my craft. The repetitive motion of stitching is incredibly grounding. There's no deadline. There's no requirement to produce the perfect product. And I don't have to think. My thoughts don’t completely disappear, but they slow down. As a result, crafting has become a form of active meditation, allowing my mind to rest while my hands stay busy.

2. They Help Me Navigate Life’s Seasons

Whether I’m going through a stressful week or a tough emotional season, picking up a project helps me process it. Many times, the one thing that gets me through a tough season is my craft. It functions as a distraction, something positive to focus on. Other times, I crochet when I’m content and want to savor the moment. Yarn projects mark chapters in my life, and I like that idea.

3. They Let Me Give Something Meaningful

There’s something special about creating a handmade gift. It could be a baby blanket, a hat, a scarf, etc. Each project carries hours of time, intention, and love (sometimes anger!). Crochet and knitting allow me to care for others and share one of my passions with family, friends, and the community. And there's no greater joy than seeing someone's face light up when they've received a handmade gift. :)

4. They Keep Me Grounded

When I feel overwhelmed or overstimulated, picking up a crochet hook or knitting needles brings me back to the present. There have been many rough seasons in my life in which I fail to produce anything of worth. Every craft item becomes a garbled mess. Sometimes that is how life goes. Regardless, the tactile sensation of the fibers and the focus on one stitch at a time helps anchor me when everything else feels out of control.

5. They Build Confidence and Connection

Each finished project, no matter how big or small, gives me a sense of pride. I look at it and think: I made this! That's so cool! And my friends think it's cool too! There’s power in finishing something, especially when life often feels unfinished or chaotic. And through yarn, I’ve found connections with fellow crafters, my mom’s memory, and even with strangers who see my work and smile.

Final Thoughts

Knitting and crochet aren’t just crafts. For me, they’re a lifeline, a form of therapy I can turn to again and again. They help me slow down, reset, and reconnect with myself.

If you’ve never tried yarn crafts before, I encourage you to start! Each day is a new day to try something new! Pick a skein in your favorite color, choose a simple pattern, and let yourself make mistakes. This isn’t about perfection, it’s about presence. And about finding joy in the quiet, one stitch at a time. <3