Keep Calm and Knit On.

Posted on: December 6, 2023

This Winter climate demands so much from us.  If we are not careful it can take a toll on our mental and physical health.  Knitting can help!  Yes, knitting is good for you; the meditative and repetitive action of knitting can help to focus the mind on the activity, thereby slowing the nervous system and reducing anxiety and stress hormones (cortisol) in the body.  By stitching your own Winter accessories you can beat the winter blues.

Head to Dollarama and pick up your basic knitting supplies—yarn needles (they can come in various sizes), bulky weight yarn, scissors and measuring tape.  If you are a beginner to knitting start off with a simple scarf or a ribbed hat or beanie project.  Note: when you work with bulky yarn, the final product comes together quickly! Here’ some guidance from knitting books you can buy online and pick up in-store at Coles!

Easy hat designs use double ribbing (knit 2, purl 2) to form a close-fitting beanie.  Take a look at the book ‘Knit A Hat: A Beginner’s Guide To Knitting’ by Alanna Okun.  It is an illustrated introduction to the knitting world of making your own hat.  Her book is a great guide for choosing your needle size, yarn weight and pattern!  Plus, add some WOW by attaching a pre-made pom pom when you are done.

After you are well versed in easy knitting projects read Patty Lyons’ ‘Knitting Bag of Tricks: Over 70 Sanity Saving Hacks For Better Knitting’. Patty provides expert tips on problems that often beset knitters and get in the way of beautiful projects.

Advance your skills with traditional Newfoundland mitten patterns by Christine LeGrow,Shirley Anne Scott in ‘Saltwater Mittens: From the Island of Newfoundland, More Than 20 Heritage Designs to Knit’. The book houses a vast collection of rare mitten patterns.

Want to have even more fun with knitting?  Then dive into ‘The Disney Tim Burton’s Nightmare Before Christmas: The Official Knitting Guide to Halloween Town and Christmas Town‘ (inspired by the characters of Jack Skellington, Sally, Dr. Finkelstein, and more) and ‘Harry Potter: Knitting Magic: The Official Harry Potter Knitting Pattern Book’ which has gorgeous full-color photography of 25 magical knits.

Give knitting a try.  You never know, soon you will be knitting and purling your way to calmness.  Be sure to show us your knitting projects by tagging @cloverdalemall.

~Gillaine, Marketing Coordinator