The Powerful Benefits of Crocheting – How Crochet Saved My Life

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Crochet is the gift that keeps on giving. It’s a very fun and rewarding craft to do, but did you know that there are also health benefits of crocheting? Learn more about crochet health benefits in this article.

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Crochet literally saved my life, not only once, but many times, in many different situations.

Crochet health and crochet therapy are (in my opinion) not talked about enough in this society. In this society, crocheting, like knitting, is considered to be for “old” people, but in my experience this perspective is finally changing.

There are just as many young people finding the joy in this craft as there are elderly people. And folks of every age can stand to reap the benefits of crocheting.

Now that people are finally done looking down on us crocheters, can we talk about all the amazing crochet health benefits that there are?

Little Background About Me

Before I talk about each of these crochet health benefits, let start talking about me and my background. That way you know why I feel so strongly about writing about crochet health and its benefits.

If you do not know me yet, my name is Nicole Riley and I am originally from Germany and was always interested in crafts since I was very young. I learned to knit first and then crochet much later on.

I earned my Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry and Cell Biology from the University of San Diego, California and still work passionately at a science institute in San Diego.

One of the many courses I took was about mental health and how our memory works which really helped me understand how things happen the way they do for us.

This course also helped me understand how crafting, due to its muscle memory, can make us calm and peaceful from within.

When you learn something new and challenging, things can get interesting and your brain tries to focus. But when it learns a certain memory such that it becomes a long-term memory it will make a person feel calmer.

Now, being able to create something for yourself or others fills your brain with happy emotions that are similar to when you eat candy and being happy is addictive, and therefore, you want to continue to crochet. A simple and easy formula, right?

The Many Benefits of Crocheting

Crocheting has many health benefits and can help people cope with hardship. It even has the possibility to supplement therapy. Here is a brief overview.

Crochet Health Benefits in My Own Life:

1. Processes grief
2. Calms the mind
3. Calms your nerves
4. Creates a community feeling
5. Allows you to find and make more friends
6. Reduces financial burdens
7. Reduces irritability & restlessness
8. Makes you feel special and happy
9. Allows you to make gifts for others
10. Builds Self-Esteem

There is even research to suggest that hobbies like this one can be wonderful sources of dopamine that help reduce anxiety and can even reduce blood pressure.

There has also been a lot of research on the effects of crochet on your memory. Your memory can be strengthened just like a muscle, which could help prevent symptoms of alzheimer’s disease (like memory loss) as you age.  

Crochet Mental Health & Wellness

Well, let me start by saying, that it was many years ago when I starting falling into a big deep hole. I had some personal problems going on and during that time, I did not have much time to focus on any kind of craft.

But I am a crafty person who needs to be challenged or I would feel sad. As I felt the desire to earn more money which created a challenge for myself, I started crocheting to sell my handmade creations which started to make me feel ecstatic.

But to produce the same item again and again became boring for me very quickly. I felt more like a machine than I person that was challenged.

How Crocheting Saved My Life – Financial Wellbeing

At that point, I started looking around and trying to figure out how other crocheters got so big and made so much money. I was impressed, but I very quickly realized that this will not be a quick fix to get some money.

I found my solution shortly after: I needed to become a crochet pattern designer. I always created my own patterns but it never crossed my mind to actually be able to earn money from it.

I was able to find something exciting where I can take others with me on a journey, a journey of a better life. I have always been a people pleaser.

As I started to figure out how to create my own website and really become a patterns designer, I learned a lot in a short period of time. It was very overwhelming and sure felt like a challenge to me.

It only took me a few months when I suddenly started to earn a very good amount of money for a new crochet designer. But then I joined the Mediavine as a publisher and started to earn ad money on my website (and then I moved up to Adthrive).

Besides that, I started to connect with other crochet designers, grew on social media and made extra income from affiliate commissions which all helped me financially as well as mentally.

How to Help Someone Learn to Crochet for their Health

I can tell you that when I learned to crochet and started to do it every day, whether it was for money, gifts, creating a pattern or anything else, I became happier. The benefits of crocheting are obvious when we look for them.

And once I started to join crochet communities, mostly virtually, I felt even happier. People were so amazed by my creations and I got so much positive feedback and compliments that I almost forgot I ever had depression.

So, if you know someone who could use some depression relief, try to teach them to crochet (or knit or any other craft) and have them join communities in that niche. It may not work, but it is worth a try.

They will feel motivated and regain self-esteem and their mental health will improve using crochet. They do not have to become designers, but just creating something with hands using their mind will distract them and create happy hormones in their brain.

Crocheting for health benefits suddenly becomes a necessity for them. I have a Crochet 101 Guide on how to get started with crocheting and learn the basic stitches that can help someone learn this wonderful craft. So be sure to share that one.

Remember, I am not a medical doctor. This is just my opinion and my experience.

The Benefits of Crocheting in My Own Life

All in all, crocheting saved my life in so many ways, whether it is financially, mentally and even physically. I felt the internal desire to write down my journey and thoughts on how crocheting not only helps me but can also help you or others.

Be sure to share this article with the world. Crocheting can be a therapy supplement or be therapy on its own. If you see a person who needs a pick-me-up, encourage him or her to use their hands and create something using crochet.

Also, check out Kathryn Vercillo’s book Crochet Saved My Life where she goes into a detail about the benefits of crocheting and knitting for health benefits.

Who knew that a crochet hook and some pretty yarn could offer so many wonderful health benefits? And the best part is that you can take this portable activity with you wherever life events take you.