By Charissa Graves
From the Graves
If you don’t have a “grandma hobby,” now would be the perfect time to pick one up. Although if you’re reading this, you’re probably one of the people who still believe in and consume print journalism, which means there’s a good chance that you have one already. However, in case you don’t, allow me to plead my case.
So, what constitutes a grandma hobby? Sewing, knitting, crocheting, baking, gardening, bird-watching or even reading would fall into the category, although that list is by no means comprehensive. Personally, I find the term a bit condescending, as it seems to reduce centuries of skills and traditions into some sort of supposedly uncool caricature. On the other hand, my grandmas are/were pretty cool, so I consider it a compliment to be compared to either of them. Additionally, the culture surrounding these hobbies is changing, so I don’t expect the grandma association to last too much longer.
As one might be able to discern from the title, my purpose here is to advocate specifically for the fiber arts, knitting and crochet, especially.
Aside from the obvious ego boost that comes with turning a ball of yarn into an object that can actually be used in day-to-day life, there has also been a recent surge of research into the measurable positive effects of these hobbies on mental and physical health. This could be attributed to COVID, as people picked up new skills in an effort to fill all of the new time they found themselves in possession of.
What has been found is that people who take up new skills experience improvements in memory and a reduced risk of cognitive decline, as they often need to problem-solve. The meditative nature of these practices has also been proven to lower stress, anxiety and cortisol, and increase serotonin.
Some have even noticed increased attention span, counteracting the effects of the digital age. Crafting forces a person to focus on one thing at a time, completely focusing on where they are in the moment, immersed in the act of creation.
Finally, there’s the social impact. People tend to form connections based on shared interests, be that in person or online. I personally have experienced all of these improvements in my own life—and many more—but this one is perhaps the most significant. I’ve forged more friendships in yarn stores than I have anywhere else, and having a shared passion at the center makes it even more special.
This fall would be an excellent time to start learning something new. By the time winter comes, you could have a new hat, scarf or even something larger if you’re particularly ambitious. Or, you could perfect a recipe for your new favorite comfort food, do a puzzle or read a good book. Get lost in something; it’ll be fun.
Charissa Graves is a reporter at The Hutchinson Tribune. She can be reached at charissa@hutchtribune.com.