Yarn crafts such as knitting and crocheting have made a resurgence in the past few years. Research has found that yarn crafts have numerous mental health and wellbeing benefits. They are excellent tools for managing stress, as they have been proven to help alleviate feelings of anxiety while encouraging mindfulness through repetitive motion. On top of being an excellent creative outlet, research has shown that yarn crafts can help build self-esteem and improve fine-motor skills.
A group of youth in Toronto have started to knit and crochet for mental health, saying yarn crafts offer an alternative activity to scrolling on their phones, one that allows them to experience feelings of calm and focus.
Do you love the idea of joining a knitting and crocheting group? Check-out the new Faculty of Engineering Community Yarn Creature Program (all members of the University of Waterloo community are welcome). We make cute yarn creatures and give them away to members of our community.