Welcome to Therapeutic Knitting

Sharing this again as a reminder to myself as much as anyone else….just because you CAN make it yourself doesn’t mean you SHOULD!

If you’ve ever been caught in the trap of overcommitting to making all the Christmas magic then our Christmas bonus episode aims to help you keep your self-care on track throughout the festive season- download it at the link in my bio
#nisser #christmasmaking #adventcalendar #homemadechristmas #selfcareatchristmas

I don’t crochet too often, but my daughter got a book for her birthday and we agreed I would make the amigurumi person and she would crochet the clothes. Predictably it didn’t go that way, so I have now made her a coat 🙃 #crochet #amigurumi

What values are important to you as we head into the run up to Christmas?

I find it so helpful to take a few minutes to think about this before things get busy, I know what I am navigating towards.

If you'd like to think more about your values for the Christmas period you can download our FREE bonus session at the link in my bio.

#values #creativerestoration #knittingpodcast

Knitting the colour into winter- here are all the knits I have worn in the last week!
1. Bedale Hat #coopknitstoasty by @coopknits
2. #stonecropsweater by @dreareneeknits
3. #elibelindesweater by @_woolwitch_
4. #knockknockmitts by @verypinkknits
5. #paragonsweater by @withcherriesontoptoo
6. #bindweedcardigan by @life_is_cozy
7. #rollupknitdownjumper by @laurenastondesigns
8. #midcoastsweater by @knit.love.wool
9. Some generic vanilla socks
10. #takeitallshawl by @malihadesigns
11. #spotsweater by @anneventzel

A sneak peak of the workbook that accompanies our Christmas bonus episode - FREE to download now- link in bio.

#christmasknitting #christmasgiftknitting

Our audio course is available now! (link in bio)

This is for you if you want to learn more about how knitting can benefit your well-being and to think more about your self-care and how you can get the most out of your knitting! (swipe to see the contents page)

- 11 core audio sessions in a private podcast feed
- a 35 page accompanying workbook
- Gift vouchers also available!

www.creativerestoration.org
#knittingismytherapy #knittingismyyoga #knittingistherapeutic #knittingpodcast

Every winter I feel grateful for being a knitter...and not just because I have plenty of jumpers to keep me warm

So many of us struggle with the cold, dark (and lets face it, rainy) winter months. Despite knitting almost every day of the year, this is the time of year I feel particularly grateful my knitting. Here’s why:

❄ I love the first cold day of the year when I get my lovely winter knits out of storage – it’s like greeting old friends!

❄ ‘Knitting season’ is when there are yarn festivals, new patterns are released so there is new inspiration for projects to be excited about

❄ Knitting is great way to lean into the seasons, by choosing seasonal colours or projects

❄ It’s easy to feel that staying home is equated with being lethargic or unproductive – but knitting changes all that and gives you a sense of achievement and mastery from your sofa

❄ Every day I get to wear handmade clothes that fill me with a sense of pride – I always say I feel 20% happier when wearing clothes I have made myself.

How do you feel about winter?
#winterwoollies #selfcareinwinter #knittingseason #knittersofinstagram #knittingismytherapy

Come and knit with us!

@filmworksealing have invited us to host some knitting workshops on Sunday afternoons in December. Tickets are free and bookable at the Filmworks website (link in my bio). We can teach new knitters and will supply yarn and needles if you need them.

We'd love you to join us!

#ealing #christmascrafts #learntoknit #knittingistherapeutic

Suggestions please! I have this lovely gradient of 4ply/fingering weight yarn but I don’t know what to use it for!

This is a So Faded sweater but I don’t think it fades that well so I am planning to rip it out. I could also combine it with the solid colour in the second photo.
What should I knit?

I prefer sweaters as I wear them so much more than shawls. And my wrist doesn’t tolerate too much purling.

Can anyone think of a pattern that might meet my niche requirements?!

Thanks!

This is my top tip for enjoying gift knitting and not losing track of your own needs in the process.

Do you have any tips for gift knitting?

#giftknitting #knittingforselfcare #knittingismyyoga

Have you fallen into the trap of overcommitting to gift knitting?

Ever lost track of your own needs at Christmas?

Want to sample a bonus episode of our self-care course for FREE?

Download our new bonus episode (audio or video) at the link in my bio! It comes with a 10 page workbook to help you keep your knitting and self-care on track over the festive period.

#giftknitting #handknitchristmas #knittedgifts

Thank you so much for supporting my little podcast!

I don't think I can tag all of the amazing 49 guests who have featured in the 50 episodes I have released so far, but I am so thankful to each and every one of them.

I am also really grateful to every single person who has listened, and I really hope that some of the stories have resonated with you and helped you to feel more confident that knitting can be a legitimate and intentional activity you do to benfit your mental health.

Thanks again,
Mia
#knittersofinstagram #knittingpodcast #whyiknitpodcast

Thanks for a relaxing and inspiring day at Make Joy, it was so lovely to meet up in person with Sylvia @withcherriesontoptoo and Elena @craft_forward both of whom have been guests on the podcast and for an excuse to see @drpaularedmond

Congratulations to @champagneandqiviut on organising a brilliant event in a lovely venue. @woolwichworks. I hope this is the first of many craft events there!!

#MakeJoy

Knit It Out by @laerkebagger is all about using knitting to process the hard stuff. Having something to do with your hands when there’s nothing you can do to change the hard things in life.
So obviously I wanted time join in with the knit along!
#knititout #bitbybitkal

Quite proud of the werewolf slayer’s cloak I’ve made this morning (not for me!)

It’s quite cosy- maybe the kids will let me wear it one year for Halloween 🎃 🐺

#homemadehalloween #sewingforkids

Series 7 sends with an interview with Kristina LaVenia @klavenia2121 who speaks about collaborating with @projectknitwell to bring knitting workshops to staff in education settings, as well as her own personal journey with knitting.
You can hear this episode at the link in my bio or on your favourite podcast app
#whyiknitpodcast #projectknitwell #knittingpodcast

My Stonecrop pullover is finished! 🎉
#stonecroppullover #dreareneeknits #colourworkknitting

Because I run knitting groups for beginners, often children, I am always collecting ideas for things you can make out of a square of garter stitch.

I saw this on Pinterest and wanted to see whether it worked - I thought it was a good use of my first handspun yarn.

Swipe to see my 9 year old’s version which is also knitted but in a very furry yarn

#kidswhoknit #knittingwithkids #firstknittingproject #knittingtoys

My daughter knitted a jumper for her bunny- she figured out the construction on her own! She was inspired by @laerkebagger’s #knititout #kidswhoknit

I am finding this #bitbybitkal sweater very addictive! Have you tried entrelac before?
#bitbybitsweater #entrelac

This week on the podcast I am joined by Carole who is a cancer doctor who has advanced breast cancer. Carole speaks about using knitting both to cope with the dark times and to created a handknitted legacy to pass on to her future grandchildren.

You can listen at the link in my bio or on your favourite podcast app
#heirloomknitting #knittingforgrandchildren

I really love the idea of @laerkebagger’s process for the #bitbybitkal and her rules (to follow or break) for choosing yarn.
This is my bundle of leftovers. I also haven’t tried entrelac before so I took a lunch break today and had a little swatch 🧶
#knititout #entrelac

Thanks to Tamanna @slow.work.sewing for joining me to discuss how knitting and other fibre arts offer us much more therapeutic benefit than just relaxation.

We speak about how Tamanna combines crafts with her work in mental health, and her own personal journey to fibre arts and how this allows her to wear clothes that express her values.

You can listen at the link in my bio or on your favourite podcast app
#slowworksewing #therapeuticcraft #knittingpodcast #whyiknitpodcast

THANK YOU!! 🤩
Thanks so much for all the suggestions- a few people suggested I ask @nancy.birtwhistle and she advised to wet the stains, then make a paste from bicarbonate and eco washing up liquid and put on the stains and leave overnight in a plastic bag so it doesn’t dry out. It worked!! 🥳 I am so delighted!

HELP!!
Unfortunately the Elibelinde sweater I knitted 6 years ago has these two dark stains on. Not sure but I think they might be bike related oil/grease?!

I have tried all the cleaning methods I can think of, and pretending the stains aren’t there and neither of those are working for me. I still love the sweater and don’t want to bin it!!

I just found a tiny amount of left over yarn- could duplicate stitch work to cover the dark patches? I have only used it on stockinette.

All ideas welcome! Thanks!

#knittinghelpneeded #elibelindesweater #whenknittingattacks #duplicatestitch

I have done so little sewing this year- it has been a challenge to find the time and bandwidth, so I am delighted that I have made myself a simple but essential long-sleeved top for winter.

So today I get to go to work in a completely me-made outfit which always gives me a little boost of pride
#sewingagnes #emersonpants #bindweedcardigan

I approached Whitney about coming on the podcast after reading her article on how becoming a knitter had allowed her to love her body exactly as it is and to reclaim the power of making exactly what she wants to wear.

I really enjoyed our conversation and hearing her intrepid journey into making her own clothes and how this has impacted on her mental wellbeing.

You can listen at the link in my bio or on your favourite podcast app

. #knittersofinstagram #knittingpodcast #knittedbywhitney

It was a pleasure to be invited to interview my friend and fellow psychologist @drclaireplumbly at the launch of her brilliant book at the Taunton Literary Festival over the weekend.

If you are struggling with feeling overwhelmed and burnt out then I would really recommend it as a way to understand why you feel that way and what to do about it.

#tauntonliteraryfestival #burnoutbook

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@knittingistherapeutic

Do you want to use knitting as part of your self-care?

We have a NEW audio course available now to help you get the maximum benefit from your knitting

Find out more

About Me

Dr Mia Hobbs, Clinical Psychologist

I am a Clinical Psychologist with a passion for knitting and spreading the word about the therapeutic benefits of knitting. I am based in London,UK.

I work with children, young people and their families who have mental health difficulties, and often bring craft, and creativity into my work.

I offer workshops, courses, training and supervision to individuals and organisations about the therapeutic benefits of knitting.

My podcast - Why I Knit- explores how knitting can benefit our mental health. In each episode I interview a different knitter about why they knit and how it benefits their mental well-being.

Blue and Pink Illustrative Arts & Culture Podcast Cover (2).png

What I offer

I offer workshops, courses, training and supervision to individuals and organisations about the therapeutic benefits of knitting. To find out more click the button below

My podcast - Why I Knit- explores how knitting can benefit our mental health. In each episode I interview a different knitter about why they knit and how it benefits their mental well-being

I offer therapy for children, young people and their families who are struggling with anxiety and low mood, and sometimes incorporate knitting and other creative approaches in therapy

Services

Therapy

Contact Me

mia@therapeuticknitting.org