ABSTRACT
This chapter introduces knitting as a health-care tool and the development of therapeutic knitting as a means of improving well-being. The knowledge is gathered from narratives, an online survey of over 3500 knitters from 31 countries, and observation of knitting groups. It begins with a brief history of knitting as a therapeutic tool before introducing the author’s work, which began in 2005, triggering a growing clinical and research interest that is outlined. The chapter introduces the Knitting Equation, which lists the benefits of knitting, and the development of therapeutic knitting as a means of enhancing these benefits to deliberately improve well-being. The possible mechanisms are briefly discussed, as are ways it can be used for stress management, to enhance mood and induce a calm, meditative state. Joining a knitting group adds to the benefits of knitting alone and provides a means of finding safe social contact and building social confidence. There are suggestions for how individuals can get started and find a local knitting group, and begin to approach this activity as therapeutic.
