Health Benefits of Stonnington Craft Group – “Common Threads”

Knitting, crochet, embroidery and other crafts have exploded in the public consciousness as a pathway to better health and connectedness in the community. The benefits of crafting together is evident when “Common Threads”, a craft group in East Malvern, meets each month.

A Craft Revival

A new generation has discovered crafts and handwork. There is an endless stream of YouTube videos and Instagram posts of craft projects. Every imaginable material and fabric can be found transformed into pretty, quirky, useful, colourful, weird, wonderful, and sometimes not-so-wonderful objects. Interaction within the Craft Community has found new ways to communicate via images and the ‘Comments’ section.

Crafts of many kinds are undergoing a revival. People of all ages are falling in love with crafts – and feeling the health benefits

Interestingly, face-to-face, holding an object in your hand, learn skills from a human in a craft group are also surging in popularity. The long-established “Common Threads” at the Stonnington Community Uniting Church in East Malvern is one such craft group.

The Practical Benefits of Knitting, Crocheting or Embroidery

Choosing a handcraft as a hobby has practical benefits as well as health benefits:

• Money saving. Call in at your local Op shop for some used knitting needles (or ask your mum) add some yarn and you can have a new cosy scarf for just a few dollars. A crochet hook and some yarn will produce a knee rug to fend off the winter heating bills.
• You can be productive at home – or when you are out and about. Listening to a podcast or watching the TV can be an opportunity to advance a project and make time feel as though it is passing more quickly.
• Choose a craft that suits your space. Embroider a small item or start with knitting. There’ll be no need for large equipment like a weaving frame or a table for a sewing machine. You’ll still need to follow patterns, but these are not much more than an A4-sized piece of paper. There are plenty of free downloadable patterns, too.
• Crafts can repurpose other items. What can you transform? Would you like to make someone a handmade gift? Add an embroidered monogram to hand towel or crochet a new cushion cover.
• The craft community is a sharing community. Everyone was a beginner once and I know I was rescued many times of occasions by other experienced knitters and crocheters.

7 Health Benefits of Belonging to a Craft Group

Embroidery set fot cross stitching. White fabric, thimble, embroidery hoop, colorful threads, scissors and needls. On pink background.

Crafty people understand the health benefits of their hobby. The positive effects on mind and body health are many. Here are seven potential advantages:

1. Reduced Stress and Anxiety

When you are concentrating on your project, you become absorbed. Worries seem to fade away and your mind can rest in the rhythm of your craft

2. Improved Cognitive Function

Many crafts are very repetitive which may suggest mindlessness. Using both hands and your eyes, with the variable movements stimulates the brain. Memory and reasoning are also brought into play.

3. Boosts self confidence

I will concede that learning a new craft can be exceedingly frustrating, however when a project starts to come together, ahh, that feeling!

4. The happiness effect

Seeing the finished product, knowing that it wouldn’t exist without your effort is so good. There is also the thrill of gifting to a friend, family or even stranger – priceless!

5. Distraction from other health issues

Some chronic pain sufferers benefit from the distraction of crafting. The same may also be relevant for hunger and overeating. Being focused on the next line of knitting or a change of coloured embroidery thread can be just the distraction you need.

6. Increased Social Inclusion

Craft Groups like “Common Threads” are a place to form long-lasting friendships, engage in conversation, develop social skills and nurture a sense of community. A chat, a cup of tea and broadening one’s world  beyond oneself, all while working on your craft project or a communal project.

7. Encourages Community

Belonging to a regular craft group allows the sharing of projects and skills. It also compounds the creative process leading to larger or more complex projects as the group confidence develops. Responding to charitable requests for craft items also deepens community connections.

The beneficial effects of Crafting and getting involved in a Craft Group like “Common Threads” at Stonnington Community Uniting Church include reduced stress and anxiety, improved cognitive function, boosted self-confidence and happiness, and distraction from some health issues. The added benefits of social inclusion and community connection are bound to get you hooked.