Monday 15 June 2015

Is knitting socks good for the brain?

Have you ever knitted socks? If so, was it difficult to complete your first pair? When I started knitting mine I had no idea about how to use double pointed needles and had never knitted anything more complicated than a dishcloth in recent years. I have vague memories of knitting when I was a teenager but that is a long, long time ago. So I was very relieved today to actually finish my first pair of socks even though there were a few mistakes along the way but the instructions I followed said that that was probably par for the course.


As this was something totally new to me I really had to concentrate on what I was doing and found it a little disconcerting to realise that my concentration span is not very long at all anymore and if I let my mind wander when knitting I would do a couple of rows and then not know where I was up to.There have been a number of articles I have come across including Four Unexpected Health Benefits of Knitting which state that brain chemistry can be changed by the rhythmic motion of knitting so that serotonin and dopamine, the good mood hormones, are released and the bad stress hormones decrease. Well, I am not too sure about that as there were plenty of bad stress hormones flying around when I discovered a whole row of stitches had come off my needles at one stage. 

I imagine that with time and practice it will become less stressful and good for one's brain especially as we age and I am sure the fact that one has to concentrate so intently would have to have some benefits where the old grey matter is concerned :-)




This morning was again foggy and drizzly after some light overnight rain so I pulled on the gum boots and took a walk around the garden checking for snails and saw the birds all huddled up in the trees. This is a coloured photo by the way...not black and white...so you can see how dismal it was. 



Eventually the sun came out and it turned out to be a lovely day and I took a shot of our mandarin tree. The fruit is still quite small and not ready to eat as yet. Last year I made some Mandarin Curd and Mandarin and Date Slice but I will have to try and find some sugar free recipes this year to use up some of our fruit. I usually take some to our Simple Living Toowoomba swaps as well.
 



I have been keeping an eye on this Bromeliad flower as it opens up as they can be quite fascinating...



...almost there...


...and open at last! Isn't it colourful?

I will now put away my double pointed knitting needles for a little while and concentrate on some projects that are less demanding before tackling the very thin 'proper' sock wool and the very tiny needles that are required. I have a feeling there will be some more bad stress hormones floating around when that day comes. LOL! Do reassure me and tell me that I am not the only person in the world who found that knitting their first pair of socks was stressful :-)









31 comments:

  1. Nanna Chel I totally believe knitting is good for us. They say it is like doing cross words etc in the way it exercises the brain. But also it relaxes, lowers blood pressure and all of that. I crochet more but it amounts to the same thing. Patterns stretch the brain! The process is soothing. Also I feel it myself, how I will get absorbed in a project and forget everything else! That is so good, kind of a meditation. We were made to be busy and productive!
    Lovely photos! Have a great week! xxx

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    1. Annabel, patterns certainly stretch my brain. LOL!

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  2. I haven't tried knitting socks yet Nanna Chel, I would like to try though. I figure if I can knit booties, why not socks, they are just glorified booties yeah?

    That is a very pretty Bromeliad you have there. I have friends that grow these plants, they are very addicted to them and have many different varieties in their garden.

    We had quite a bit of rain on the weekend, 23mm all up. It was a nice soaking rain and has revived all the plants once again. Boy do they look so much brighter after rain.

    xTania

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    1. Tania, I will have to try and knit some booties for my grandson. That might be quicker than socks.

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  3. I don't think it is so good for mine. Had a lot of those "bad" hormones in my brain instead of the good ones! :) I will, I MUST, make a pair of socks! :) I'm still on the cuff of my first one because I started all over! Vacation had me messed up. Beautiful flower! :) Wish I could grow oranges here!

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    1. Joyful, I know a few people who had to start over a few times so don't give up.

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  4. i haven't tried tackling socks yet but i believe all crafty things done with the hands is good for the brain, not just knitting. i'm enjoying making fingerless mittens on the DPNs at the moment, it's wonderful not having any seams to sew up!
    wonderful job on your socks too
    thanx for sharing

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    1. Selina, I guess that is one good thing about using the DPNs.

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  5. hello nana chel,
    yes, i think knitting is good for us. i knitt socks and that is so relax for me.
    lovely flower!
    have a nice week,
    regina

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    1. Regina, you have knitted quite a few pairs by the sounds of it for it to be a relaxing pastime :-)

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  6. Chel, do the stitches slip off the double pointed knitting needles? (No laughing - that is a serious question!!!)

    Re your photo of the pigeons in the trees - grey days are my favourite when at home, as they are the best days for snuggling up with a good book.

    And that Brom is just lovely.

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    1. Sherri, I found that stitches stayed on my bamboo needles better than the metal ones.

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    2. Hip hoory, finally finished, well done.

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    3. Sherri, I was going to mention that Deb preferred the bamboo needles. I will try them if I ever buy any more from Spotlight. I have picked up a few steel ones from Vinnies.

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    4. Thanks Chel and Deb, I will remember that when I graduate to knitting socks.

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  7. Hmmmm so maybe you have to work into the lowering the blood pressure thing, or is it the little serotonin and dopamine "hits" you have as you complete each row that are beneficial? The rows without dropped stitches or other muck ups I mean! Still procrastinating but at least my wool and my needles are next to each other now :P. Love your pretty bromeliad flower. Definitely worth waiting for.

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    1. Robyn, I hope the sock knitting doesn't make your BP go up too high. :-)

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  8. I've just started knitting - for the first time in 30 years. I love it! Haven't tried socks yet, but made a scarf and am currently working on a vest.
    Those pictures of your garden are amazing!!!

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    1. A vest...you are doing well, Frances. I haven't attempted one yet.

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  9. That is an amazing flower - it's like you are in a foreign country! ;) I think it's a toss up on the stress levels and serotonin and dopamine and crafting, I figure I gain a few years on the old brain when things are going well and I lose a few years on the heart when they are not! So it is still a toss up as to which will go first - Body or Mind!!?? Probably a good thing not to know.....

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    1. We are in a foreign country aren't we, Kathy? LOL!

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  10. I find I really have to concentrate when knitting. My current project, which is a strip rug, requires me to cross off each row or I'd have no idea where I am up to. I do love it though and pick it up at any opportunity.
    Sock knitting maybe in my future, we'll see!

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    1. Joolz, I saw your BHG rug and was tempted to buy the kit myself but I thought my mistakes would show up too much on those colours. Yours is coming along well.

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  11. Have been admiring Blinky's knitted socks but they look very tricky...maybe one day. I did however manage to finish my pink slippers and next on the agenda is a beanie for my husband. Love the thought that knitting makes all that serotonin and dopamine fly around. I can certainly do with some of that on these grey days. I think I have SAD - seasonal affective disorder. I miss the blue sky!

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    1. Blinky is a bit more advanced than I am with her sock making as she has progressed to the 'proper' sock yarn. I am sure she will inspire you to have a go, Hutchy.

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  12. Nanna used to knit socks constantly - apparently she made 100's during the war for soldiers. I remember all those little needles doing the heal

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    1. Phil, I admire people who can knit socks without having to look at what they are knitting all the time so as not to make a mistake.

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  13. Congratulations, well done to get them finished, it is just the weather for cosy socks. I hope you cast on the next socks, so you can work on them between projects, then they will be finished while it is still cold enough to enjoy them.

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    1. No I haven't got that far, Margaret. I am still sorting out what size needles to use.

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  14. Definitely stretches the brain muscles. I have picked up the needles and sock yarn a few times only to get all messed up. One day though, I will get at least one done if not a pair. :)
    Love the flower by the way. Very neat the way it opens up.

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    1. Krystal, I started with 8 ply as it is easier to learn with than the thinner sock yarn. Do keep trying.

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