I always say I am the oldest 24 year old I know.
I wish I was that spry.
I use a shower chair, a wheelchair, occasionally a cane. I take a beta blocker, I drink prune juice, I go to bed early, I don’t drink alcohol, I wear reading glasses, and, most of all, I spend the majority of my time knitting.
But knitting is honestly one of my best and favorite coping techniques for living with chronic illness. Here’s why! (And you can pretty much substitute any kind of crafting activity in for knitting.)
1. I feel productive
A lot of people with chronic illness struggle with not being able to work, or at the very least, not being able to work as fully as we would like. In a culture that stresses productivity as a measure of worth, this can feel very frustrating and demoralizing. But when I can see something physically grow before me because of my own effort, it’s very rewarding and comforting.
2. It gives me a way to say thank you and keep in touch with loved ones
To the people who have helped me and stayed supportive throughout my illness that I don’t get to see as often as I would like, it feels good to give them a token to say “thanks,” or “I thought of you,” or “hey I made another hat I don’t need and you’re the poor sucker who dropped by to see me today.”
3. Entertains me without costing spoons
There are many many days where I, like many spoonies, just can’t do anything. And because of that, I’m bored out of my mind.
But knitting is not mentally or physically taxing, so I can almost always knit. Of course, if you have fibromyalgia or some sort of illness that involves arthritis, knitting might be a little harder. Although, my mother has arthritis in her hands and finds she can knit as long as she uses larger needles. But if you find you have a lot of hand pain, you may benefit from another, less dexterous crafting activity.
4. Distracts Me
You know when you just feel crappy, and you can’t get any relief, and you’re just restless and irritable? Knitting, for me at least, is a way to distract myself with a relaxing, repetitive motion, that doesn’t exert energy, and allows me to think about something other than my nausea/cramping/inability to decide what temperature I am.
I actually notice I get grumpier if I injure my hand and can’t knit for a day. It really does help!
5. Actual Health Benefits!
Studies have shown that knitting, crocheting, quilting, and other things of the like actually have real health benefits! They suggest it can improve brain function, help mental wellness, and even lower blood pressure and heart rate! I actually wonder if part of the reason I like knitting so much is because it helps control my irregular heart rate with its calming, repetitive motions. But that might be pushing it a little too far. Who knows? I just know I like it and it helps me a lot.
Don’t know how to knit? Well, that’s why I love the internet. There are YouTube videos to instruct you on any kind of crafting you can think of. I would link to a knitting instruction video on YouTube, but there are so many that it’s really best to just go to YouTube and pick the one that looks best to you. That way you can learn in the comfort of your own home/bed and don’t have to even get up! I also suggest Ravelry for finding a ton of really great free patterns. Knit Picks is my go to for quality, affordable yarn. Amazon sells some good starter kits, but you can also go to your local crafts store when you have enough spoons.
You should also check out my good friend and spoon shares contributor Catherine’s crochet etsy shop if you want to get motivated on the things you can make, or if you want to buy something super cute! She also wrote a great interview about how crochet has helped her.
And for anyone who thinks they’re too young or cool or manly to knit? Just remember, if it’s good enough for Albus Dumbledore, it’s good enough for you.
Leah is a 24 year old suburb-of-Philly native. She has gastroparesis, dysautonomia, a feeding tube, and a battery operated stomach. She is the proprietor of this site, as well as the sassy Disney blog The Magical World Of, and a contributor to the new podcast Media Matters.