Top 15 Reasons Why Knitting Should Be Your New Favorite Hobby

Knitting is for everyone! — Knitting is the perfect cold-weather hobby. Via Odyssey.

Properly practiced, knitting soothes the troubled spirit, and it doesn't hurt the untroubled spirit either. -Elizabeth Zimmermann

As the temperatures drop and we’re spending more time indoors, it’s likely you’re looking for a new hobby or way to pass the time. Bt there has to be something healthier than Netflix-binging every night of the week, right? Well, as it gets too chilly outside and you’re moving indoors, look no further than the nearest pair of knitting needles and skeins of yarn - not just for grandmas anymore, we’ve got the top 15 reasons why knitting should become your new, favorite, fall hobby, starting now. And no, we’re not kidding - knitting is a healthy, fun, and productive hobby that can help you pass the time without mindlessly escaping into the latest season of the newest tv show. Turns out Grandma was on to something.

15 Reasons to Knit Your Way to Greatness

Knitting really is fairly easy to learn. — Knitting is easy to learn and quickly becomes a little like riding a bike. Via Huffington Post.

15. It’s Easy

No really. Sure, there are complicated patterns out there, but the basics? You’re pretty much just tying a particular knot, over and over again. If you can do it 3 times, you can do it 300 (and make yourself a nice scarf).

There are so many yarn options to choose from. — There are so many colors - and types, and materials - of yarn to choose from! Via Knitting Nest Austin.

14. It’s Cheap

Especially once you have the knitting needles you need. All that’s left to purchase is yarn - no fancy accoutrements here (unless you really, really want them).

Knitting helps keep your fingers nimble. — Knitting helps keep your hands and fingers moving, keeping them nimble. Via Sheep and Stitch.

13. Helps Dexterity

Knitting forces your hands to engage in some fine motor actions over and over again, which can help your fingers maintain their dexterity.

12. Helps You Relax

Knitting helps you relax, and not just in a ‘knitting is relaxing’ type of way. It’s actually been proven to lower your blood pressure and decrease your heart rate, as well as to reduce nervousness and calm anxiety. (Until you drop a stitch, that is…)

Both hands required for this hobby. — Knitting keeps your attention and hands occupied - no mindless eating here! Via Prima.

11. Reduces Mindless Eating

Have you ever thought about how hard it is to eat while you’re knitting? It’s not impossible but it’s certainly not easy. Where mindless eating is fairly common while watching tv or talking to friends, knitting can keep your hands busy until you’re actually ready for dinner.

Knitting can actually help you manage pain. — Whether temporary or chronic, knitting can help you manage pain. Via Love Knitting.

10. Helps Manage Pain

If you’re recovering from a broken bone, surgery, or dealing with chronic pain, knitting might be a great alternative to help distract your mind from the pain you’re feeling. Plus, it doesn’t take a whole lot of movement.

Following a pattern can help your memory. — Following a knitting pattern, like this one for a knit headband, can help keep your memory sharp. Via Ololi Makes.

9. Helps Memory

Whether you’re following a complex pattern or simply remember what row you’re on, knitting helps your brain remember things, keeping it active and healthier.

Knitting involves a bit of math. — Brush up on your algebra! From stitch counts to calculating gauge, you'll need them. Via Sheep and Stitch.

8. Math Skills

Along with your memory, knitting a pattern forces you to do - ugh! - math. Ok, we’re not talking calculus, but working out the number of stitches you need and the length multiplied by rows...well, you’ll stay sharp, that’s for sure.

The end of your project is just as exciting! — The end of your project could be this beautiful new sweater. Via Prima.

7. Make Things

What happens when you’re done with a knitting project? You’ve created a beautiful, (hopefully) useful new thing, with your own two hands! What better hobby than to create an article of clothing while also gaining all of these other benefits?

Knitting lets your creativity flourish. Via Yarn Art Cafe.

6. Be Creative

Knitting can bring out your creative side. Even if you’re just following a pattern, you get to choose the yarn color and weight, and when it comes to patterns…

There are so many different patterns! — There are literally hundreds of things you can do with knitting. Via Needle Stories.

5. So Many Patterns

...seriously, there are SO MANY. Ranging from beginner’s level to experts, the patterns vary in length, complexity, and technique. You’ll never get bored.

Online video tutorials and patterns are great for knitters. — Online resources can help beginner knitters and experts alike. Via Purl Soho.

4. Online Resources

Not only are you joining an in-person community of knitters, but there’s a wide online community too, complete with plenty of free resources, patterns, and forums for asking questions. Check out a few of these if you don’t believe us:

3. Constantly Learning

As a beginner, you’re learning how to knit and purl. As you get more skilled, there are tons of other techniques to learn, along with methods of combining stitches into increasingly complex patterns. Not only is it healthy for our brains, but learning can keep you motivated and excited in other parts of your life, too.

Knitting-while-Netflixing is the new thing, no? — Knitting-while-Netflixing is the new thing, right? Via Not on the High Street.

2. Do It While Watching TV

Not ready to give up the Netflix-binging yet? That’s ok - you can knit while you’re watching tv (as long as you don’t feel the need to see every second of the show). In fact, knitting-while-Netflixing (new trend, anyone?) can help you not get so sucked in to your show that you don’t notice until it’s 3am. Not that we ever do that.

Knitting can be done practically anywhere. — There are so few things that could keep you from your knitting. Via Flickr.

1. Do It Almost Anytime

Knitting doesn’t care if you’re sick, or if it’s cold out. Knitting doesn’t mind that you’re tired. Knitting won’t force you to move or go out. In fact, unless your hand is in a cast or you’re eating dinner, you can knit practically anytime, anywhere. So start stitching...and enjoy.