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10 Ways to Use a “Word of the Year” in Knitting and Crochet

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Many people choose, instead of making resolutions, to select a “word of the year.” The idea is that you choose one word that expresses an overarching theme that you would like to focus on for the year. Love, family, energy, health, growth, coziness, connection, community, peace … these are just a few of the big themes that people choose each year. Ideally, throughout the next twelve months, you keep coming back to that word of the year to help guide you in making decisions, moving forward, and centering yourself.

knit and crochet word of the year

Knitting and Crochet Using Your Word of the Year

Knitting and crochet can play a surprisingly huge part in elevating your word of the year to a prominent place in your life. If you’ve ever had difficulty keeping resolutions or continuing to focus on your chosen word for the entire year, yarn crafting can help. You might also turn to knitting and crochet to find the word that you want to focus on. So much of what we do with yarn turns out to be a microcosm for the larger picture of our lives. So, here are ten ways to choose and use a word of the year with knitting and crochet to help.

1. Use Yarn Words as Your Word of the Year

There are so many different words to choose from that it can be challenging to figure out the theme for your year. As you look to the new year, narrow down your options by focusing on words that come directly from your craft. Here are just a few popular words related to knitting and crochet that might work well for you:

AbbreviationArrangeArtBackstitch
BasketweaveBlockBobbleBulky
BullionCableCast OnChain
ChevronClusterColorCraft
CreativityCrochetDécorDecrease
DoilyDoubleEdgingEnds
FinishFreeformFrogGarment
GaugeGrannyGraphHandmade
HandsHankHookHook
IncreaseInsertJoinKnit
LaceLay flatLoopMotif
NeedlePatternPatternPicot
PopcornPull throughPurlRipple
RoundRowSelf-expressionShell
SingleSkeinStitchSymbol
ToyTrebleTunisianVintage
WeaveWork in progressWorstedYarn

When choosing your word, don’t just think about the craft itself. Choose a word that reflects your goals and priorities for the year. Cluster, for example, is not just a type of stitch but also might relate to clustering together in a close group of people or organizing your space into clusters of like objects. Think broad as well as deep.

Another approach is to think about what your craft means to you. Then choose a related word: cozy, fulfilling, creative, inspired, family, income, hobby, warm … to name a few examples.

2. Knit or Crochet the Word to Display

The first project you can do in the new year is to knit or crochet your chosen word. Then you can display it in your crafting space. Alternatively, craft it onto a blanket or garment that you can drape around yourself as you craft, always reminding you of the intention for the year.

Here are some ways to knit or crochet letters and words:

  • Knit letters using stockinette stitch and a stitch placement chart
  • Use filet crochet charts to spell out your word
  • Knit or crochet individual letters as appliqués to add to fabric
  • Embroider your word onto a knit or crochet swatch

3. Come Up With an Affirmation

Use your word of the year to come up with an affirmation. You may choose one for the entire year. Alternatively, you may choose a new one each month or each quarter of the new year. Affirmations are simple statements that remind you of the focus you set for the year. A few examples using some of the yarn-related words above:

  • Mistakes are no big deal; I can always frog and begin again.
  • Everything I make is a form of self-expression.
  • With each loop or stitch, I add to my life.
  • Each increase adds richness to my life.
  • It’s okay to decrease for the right fit in life.

As you can see, these messages aren’t just for yarn crafting; they can encapsulate other areas of your life as well. If you’re not sure how to use affirmations in crafting, this article on prayer shawl crafting and intentionality with yarn will give you a good start.

knit or crochet word of the year

4. Choose and Use a Set of Related Patterns

Use your word to find patterns for items that you’ll knit or crochet during the year.

Did you choose the word “single?” Then find patterns that highlight the beauty of single crochet. Maybe you chose the word for the double meaning that you are embracing being single this year; explore all of the variations of single crochet (back loop only, front loop only, extended) and think about all of the different things it means for you to be single.

Did you choose “graph”? Learn to read new graphs and symbol charts, work from them, perhaps even design your own. Think about what it means to graph your own way in life.

5. Highlight The Word in Every Pattern

Print out the patterns that you use in the new year (or use a highlighting tool on digital patterns). Before beginning your project, highlight each time that the word is used in the pattern. It may only be once or it may be in every row.

This draws your attention to the word and reminds you to bring your focus back to it. This will infuse the rest of your life. Before you know it, you’ll catch yourself thinking about all of the ways that “knot” or “stitch” or “color” or “ends” show up in the world around you.

6. Create Your Own Hashtag

Use your word to create an original hashtag. Then find ways to use this liberally throughout your social media posts, particularly when sharing your knitting and crochet. Examples:

  • #katiepullsthrough
  • #askeininthehand
  • #freeformcrafter2022
  • #sashasincreasesanddecreases

If you create one, let us know so that we can follow it! And make sure that you follow #marlybird #marlymademedoit #mmmdi and #bicraftybootcamp!

knit or crochet word of the year inspiration

7. Find and Accept the Challenge in the Word

Your word is an opportunity for growth. Figure out ways to challenge yourself in knitting and crochet using it. For example, if your word is “weave” then you might learn how to weave, find ways to incorporate weaving into your knitting / crochet, or (gasp) work on embracing the process of weaving in ends. Work with the word instead of against it to challenge yourself towards growth. Yarn is a safe space for that kind of challenge, but the effects will emerge in other areas of your life as well.

8. Your Word of The Year Can Guide Growth

Figure out ways to grow in your craft using the word of the year that you’ve chosen. For example, if you chose “lace” then you might spend the entire year learning new lace techniques. Likewise, “motif” could inspire you to knit or crochet one motif each day, learning new techniques along the way. How can you grow in your craft using the word of the year? How can you allow that to both stimulate and signify growth in other areas of life.

9. Use a Variation of the Word for Your Yarn-Related Passwords

For example, change your Ravelry password to a version of the word of the year. Don’t auto-save it on your devices; instead, enter it each time as a reminder of your focus. Do be careful with this one, though; if you’re sharing your word of the year publicly then make sure you add extra letters and numbers that will secure it against hacking.

10. Craft With Others and Discuss Your Word of The Year

Whether you do this in person or through an online craft group, knitting and crochet together is so powerful. Join CALs and KALs. Knit or crochet in public. And when you have the opportunity, talk about your chosen word of the year. Talk about how it relates to the craft. Moreover, discuss how it relates to the rest of your life. Make the word prominent in your life all year long.

Not every word lends itself as easily as others to these challenges and approaches. However, with some creativity and ingenuity, you can make the most of the word of the year through knitting and crochet. SHARE WITH US: What’s your word of the year?

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How to Knit or Crochet a Temperature Blanket

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Temperature blankets are not a new concept at all. However, they surge in popularity at the start of each new year. They’re a great year-long project (although you can commit to just one month if you prefer.) Making a knit or crochet temperature blanket gives you a focused project that keeps you crafting whether or not you’re otherwise in the mood. It’s good inspiration, motivation, and also provides you with a visual record of your year. In this post, we’ll walk through what a temperature blanket is and how to make one. In this post, and the others in this temperature blanket series (linked below), we’ll cover how to choose a blanket design, select your data points, pick the right yarn color and more. Let’s get started!

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how to knit or crochet a temperature blanket

What is a Knit or Crochet Temperature Blanket?

Temperature blankets provide a snapshot of the weather over a given time period in a given area. They can be knit or crochet and there is no standard stitch pattern to be used, although we’ll share some of the most popular options below. The basic idea is that you create a strategy for tracking the daily or weekly weather, assigning colors to different temperature ranges, and you craft accordingly throughout the year. Doing this keeps you crafting easily throughout the year and gives you a great blanket that visually represents the year’s experience.

How to Knit or Crochet a Temperature Blanket

Basically, you’ll choose a blanket design. Then you’ll assign yarn colors to different temperature increments. Then you’ll knit or crochet daily or weekly using the corresponding yarn color for that day’s weather.

Temperature Blankets By The Day

Many times people will work one row for each day of the year. This would result in 365 rows of your blanket. Alternatively, you might work one small motif per day. Again, you would have 365 motifs to join into a blanket. Of course, you might choose a larger motif and only work it daily for one month.

How to Find the Temperature for Your Blanket

Either way, you assign a color to temperature ranges; the range may vary depending on where you live. In San Francisco, for example, the temperature don’t change a lot throughout the year. Therefore, you might choose increments of five degrees. In contrast, if you live somewhere with more variation, such as Minnesota, then you might choose ten degree increments. Learn more about choosing yarn and colors for your temperature blanket here.

Work the temperature of your hometown, your favorite vacation spot or that of a family member or friend. Only you, and those you tell, will know what special place you are recording. No matter what location you use, you are sure to have a beautiful project at the end to cherish. Throughout the blanket, you can mark special days, like birthdays or anniversaries, with special yarn for that day. Temperature blankets are supposed to be a glance at a particular time of your life. They track the weather but also your life.

Learn more from our post about What Location and Time Period to Use for Your Temperature Blanket.

Temperature Blankets By The Week

Although a daily goal works best for most people, some people prefer to crochet by the week. This would give you 52 rows or motifs for the year. You would use the average temperature for the week, or the temperature on the first day of each week, as the color for that week’s crafting.

How to Track The Weather for Your Temperature Blanket

Tracking the temperature each day can be a challenge. If you don’t make it a habit, then you might forget to record some days. Don’t worry, I have a tool to help you with missed dates below.

What should you keep track of your information on? You can use a calendar and write the temperature down. Alternatively you can use a journal or another piece of paper. The trouble with these options is that you then need to figure out what color you will use for each day. This becomes a manual process. Some people love that because it helps them tune into the weather, focus on the plan for the day, and get into the crafting mood. However, this manual option isn’t for everyone, which is why I came up with an alternative:

Download Our Temperature Tracker for Your Blanket

I know that keeping track of the temperature manually is a hold up for me. That’s why a few years back I put my previous admin Katelyn on the task of coming up with an easier way. Katelyn LOVES spreadsheets and can make amazing things happen with them. She put together a sheet for us to use where you only have a few pieces of information to enter and it will tell you what color you need to use each day.

Why is this a game changer? First, all of your information is in one spot, online, so you can’t lose it! Second, you can save a few days to work all at once and you don’t have to take the time to figure out what color each day falls into! How AWESOME is that!!!

Want to grab this AMAZING temperature blanket tracker? Just use the button below to get access to the document. Make sure that you download a version to your own computer/Google Docs. There will be many people accessing this document and I would hate for you to lose your information. Get it here:

Temperature Blanket Tracker Download

Choosing Your Temperature Blanket Design

There’s no set design for a temperature blanket. You can knit or crochet it. You can work in rows, rounds, or motifs. (Note, though, that if you work in rounds it will take longer to craft each day than the day before.That’s a great goal for some people and too stressful for others.) You can use pretty much any stitch pattern and any color combination. However, that openness is a lot to consider, so we’ve got some ideas for you below. But first:

How to Stay In Love With Your Blanket

I can understand why people fall out of love with their temperature blankets over the months. Working the same stitch through the whole project can lose its shine after a while, even with the color changes. So how can you stay interested in this project for an ENTIRE year?

First, try using a non traditional pattern for your project. Rather than working row after row, try making a blanket out of squares or strips to keep you engaged. Or use a stitch sampler blanket pattern so that the stitches change regularly. This is a great way to build your skills while also staying excited about your temperature blanket.

Another great idea is to grab a friend to work on the project. Working with someone else will help keep you motivated. Don’t have a craft buddy? Share your project on social media. Post weekly or monthly updates. This will keep you inspired to keep crafting.You can share with us in the Marly’s Minions Facebook Group and on Instagram with hashtags #marlybird #marlymademedoit and #mmmdi.

Temperature Blanket Patterns and Designs

Need help with ideas for a good temperature blanket pattern. These posts will guide you:

Does a Temperature Project Have to Be a Blanket?

If you feel overwhelmed by the thought of making a blanket for 365 days, then consider making a smaller project instead. Try making a scarf or a pillow. You may need to adjust the stitch pattern that you pick and how you work your days but they would be beautiful and might feel more manageable.

If you want to work on a smaller project try keeping a record of the weekly average instead of the daily average for your project. Do what works for you. Adapt this project as needed.

I worked with Mikey on making a temperature project anyone can finish. Find more on the post A Temperature Project SAL For Everyone Who Has Never Actually Finished a Temperature Blanket or Scarf

Does a Temperature Blanket Have to Begin in the New Year?

The new year is a popular time to start a temperature blanket. However, you can start anytime. Learn more about how to start and what the benefits are HERE.

Circular Needle Knit Cowl Pattern

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Circles are a terrific organic shape. They’re said to symbolize everything from the cycle of life to a sense of wholeness. This Bubble Cowl knit pattern celebrates the beauty of the circle. First of all, it’s a circular needle knit cowl pattern. More obviously, though, we use unique colorwork to create circles that look like bubbles for the body of the design. Have you ever seen anything quite like it before? It’s one of my most original designs.

Disclosure: Post includes affiliate links.

History of the Bubble Cowl

I designed this circular needle knit cowl pattern for Kollage Yarns about a decade ago. Kollage Yarns was a really wonderful yarn company that created super unique yarns including yarn made from corn silk, recycled blue jeans and even milk. Yes, milk. Unfortunately, like many small businesses, Kollage Yarns no longer exists. However, the Bubble Cowl still exists, as do other designs I made in collaboration with them such as my Mountain Mist Poncho Pattern, Shimmer Shawl, and Recycled Denim Carryall.

circular needle knit cowl pattern

About This Circular Needle Knit Cowl Pattern

You will knit the Bubble Cowl with Size 3 (3.25 mm): 24” circular needles. This is a seamless bottom-up cowl. Designed for teens and adults, the finished measurements are: 26 ½“ (67.31 cm) around and 10” (25.4 cm) tall. You’ll use stranded colorwork to create the beautiful bubbles that make up the bulk of the design. The pattern includes colorwork charts to guide you.

bubble cowl knitting pattern
Get the Pattern

Choosing The Right Luxury Yarn

Obviously, I designed this with a special yarn in mind. I originally worked with Kollage Sock-A-Licious which is a blend of 70% Superwash Merino Wool, 10% Mulberry Silk, and 20% Nylon. The wool makes it warm and cozy. The silk makes it soft and adds sheen. The nylon adds stretch. While this yarn is discontinued, you can play around with some great substitutes.

In fact, we recommended some this week from WeCrochet, which are discounted through 12/31/21 (and available afterwards at regular price, of course.) For example, you might try working this pattern in their Paragon Sport, which is 50% Fine Merino Wool, 25% Baby Alpaca, 25% Mulberry Silk in Sport Weight. Or perhaps their Capretta Superwash, which is a blend of 80% Fine Superwash Merino Wool, 10% Cashmere, 10% Nylon in Fingering Weight. When making yarn substitutions like this, check for gauge, of course. Luckily, though, cowl sizes are a bit flexible anyway, right?

Symbolism of Circles

The Bubble Cowl is rich in circles. As mentioned, there’s a lot of symbolism in the circle shape. You can find references to it everywhere from philosophy and literature to science and math. In her book Mandalas for Marinke, my blogger Kathryn wrote:

Susan F. Fischer (2010) also writes about how the circle is part of our being in myriad ways, from the way we begin as a round egg inside of a womb to the way we live on round planet moving in a circle around the sun. She writes, “The subliminal experience of circular movement, like the memory of our mother’s womb, is encoded in our bodies. Thus we are predisposed to respond to the circle. We share these facts of human life with all human beings both ancient and modern.”

It’s just something you might want to think about as you work on this circular needle knit cowl pattern, watching circles develop beneath your fingertips. Whether you consider the deep relationship we have with circles or simply picture children blowing bubbles into the air, crafting it is all the more fun as you consider those circles.

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Marly’s Favorite Patterns 2021

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2021 is almost over! To celebrate reaching the end of another year, I’ve gathered together some of my favorite patterns of the year. There are patterns I designed, patterns other Stitch Ambassadors designed, and patterns available on Yarnspirations.com. As you’re planning your projects for 2021, don’t miss these projects!

Marly's Favorite Patterns 2021

My Designs

These five patterns include knit and crochet ones, and reflect patterns I published throughout the year. If you only know how to knit or only know how to crochet, the BiCrafty Bootcamps I designed will help you out!

Learn how to knit with the BiCrafty Bootcamp

BiCrafty Bootcamp

Learn how to crochet with the BiCrafty Bootcamp

Confetti Dots Granny Blanket

A project for the BiCrafty Bootcamp, this blanket is perfect for beginner crocheters, or anyone who wants to add a pop of color!

Confetti Dots Granny Blanket Crochet Pattern, one of Marly's favorite patterns

Love Light Gleams Stocking

Designed for the Christmas in July Stitch-Along, this knit stocking is covered in beautiful colorwork patterns!

Love Light Gleams Stocking Knit Pattern, one of Marly's favorite patterns

Hidden Pocket Steeked Cardigan

I designed this knit cardigan for a knit-along with Yarnspirations in spring 2021. I designed it so new knitters can accomplish it, but there are lots of hidden details to make it fun for experienced knitters as well!

Hidden Pocket Steeked Cardigan, , one of Marly's favorite patterns

Feel the Heat Mittens

Inspired by the mittens Bernie Sanders wore at the inauguration, these patterned mittens come in both knit and crochet versions so everyone can have a pair!

Feel the Heat Knit Mittens Free Knitting Pattern
Feel the Heat Crochet Mittens Free Crochet Pattern

Creekside Crochet Ruana

This ruana combines the Turkey Trot 2020 projects: a ruana like the knitting project, with the stitch pattern of the crochet project. The ruana has pockets so it’s the perfect layering piece!

Crekside Crochet Ruana Crochet Pattern, one of Marly's favorite patterns

Stitch Ambassador Designs

The Stitch Ambassadors are other bloggers who work with Yarnspirations! Here are some patterns they designed this year.

Moogly

The Whispering Arrows Shawl is a triangle wrap inspired by Monet.

Whispering Arrows Shawl Free Crochet Pattern

Repeat Crafter Me

The Ollie the O’Go Owl is made out of new O’Go yarn and has a crochet-along.

Ollie the O'Go Owl Free Crochet Pattern

Daisy Farm Crafts

The Crochet Snowy Mountains Baby Blanket uses a triangle pattern to make little snowy mountains.

Snowy Mountains Baby Blanket Free Crochet Pattern

The Crochet Crowd

The Study of Geometry Stitch Along is a highly-textured blanket featured in a crochet-along.

Study of Geometry Free Crochet Pattern

Flax and Twine

Wrap a little one up in this Plush Free Crochet Baby Blanket.

Plush Baby Blanket Free Crochet Pattern

OTH Crochet Nook

Decorate your home with this Crochet Pumpkin Wreath.

Crochet Pumpkin Wreath Free Crochet Pattern

Crochet with Clare

Practice your stitches with this Stitch Sampler Wrap.

Stitch Sampler Wrap Free Crochet Pattern

My Hobby is Crochet

The Bex Hat has textured vertical stripes all around it.

Bex Hat Free Crochet Pattern

Oombawka Design Crochet

Gradient yarn stands out in this Roll With It Scarf.

Roll with It Scarf Free Crochet Pattern

See Love Share

Make yourself a wrap for Valentine’s Day with the Sweetheart Wrap.

Sweetheart Wrap Free Crochet Pattern

American Crochet

The Happy Throw is a multicolored blanket that was a crochet along.

Happy Throw Free Crochet Pattern

Snappy Tots

Make a special place for your furry friend with Brookie’s Pet Bed.

Brookie's Pet Bed Free Crochet Pattern

Beatrice Ryan Designs

The Crochet with Me Mystery CAL allows you to make a project without knowing the finished look.

Crochet with Me Free Crochet Patterns

The Purple Poncho

Use Tunisian crochet to make this Tunisian Rib Hat.

Tunisian Rib Hat Free Crochet Hat

Goodknit Kisses

Practice drop stitches with the Garter Drop Infinity Scarf.

Garter Drop Infinity Scarf Free Knitting Pattern

Kirsten Holloway Designs

This Vintage Wedding Bag is a lovely present for a bride.

Vintage Wedding Bag Free Crochet Pattern

Naztazia

Update your indoor plans with the Plant Holder and Hanger.

Plant Holder and Hanger Free Crochet Pattern

Pattern Paradise

Keep your neck warm with the Ibiza Cowl.

Ibiza Cowl Free Crochet Pattern

Yarnspirations Patterns

Yarnspirations publishes hundreds of patterns per year, but here are a few I love from 2021!

Cable Vines Montrose Knit Cardigan Free Knitting Pattern

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Marly Bird’s Blue Crochet Patterns

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Let’s take a look at how many blue crochet patterns I’ve created! Blue is one of the most calming, soothing, inspiring colors in the universe. It’s the color of oceans and sky. Although I love to work in all of the colors, I’ve used blue in quite a few over the years. In fact, eight of the ten crochet patterns in my Simple Baby Blankets ebook use blue in the design. Moreover, blue is the primary color in four of them. For example, see the dark blue in the Mosaic Diamonds blanket pattern from this book:

mosaic diamonds crochet blanket pattern

Disclosure: This post may have affiliate links in it. If you make a purchase from those links, I receive a percentage of the sale. However, your price doesn’t change. THANK YOU.

More Blue Crochet Patterns

blue crochet patterns

Of course, you can make any of my crochet patterns using the blue yarn of your choosing. But here are a few more that I designed in blue:

crochet headband pattern

This quick and easy crochet headband pattern is perfect in a bright blue. It’s a great instant gratification make, stashbuster or gift project.

crochet puff stitch hat free pattern

This is a great example of a crochet hat that’s multi-colored but the dark blue holds it all together.

crochet shawl free pattern by Marly Bird

I got to design and crochet this free shawl pattern in a blue shade of my Chic Sheep yarn.

Let the yarn do all the work as you crochet this blue lace shawl.

messy bun hat free crochet pattern

It’s always fun to try new yarn. For example, I made this crochet messy bun hat in Red Heart Reflective yarn. It’s blue but it’s also visible at night!

crochet along project in blue

Oftentimes when you join my stitchalongs, you get the chance to choose your yarn. But, of course, I suggest what I’m going to use. And when I did the 2018 Game Day Make-along (that’s the Super Bowl Day event I do each year), I choose to crochet in blue.

granny square cardigan crochet pattern

This granny square cardigan was also a crochet-along project. Mostly in blue.

Rainbow Sprinkles crescent shawl free crochet pattern

The Rainbow Sprinkles crochet shawl free pattern is made with It’s a Wrap yarn using a colorway that combines hues of blues and purples. I suggested it as a great gift for mom last Mother’s Day, but it’s good for women of all ages at any time of year! Don’t you think?

matching pattern set in yarn pooling made easy

The matching crochet hat, cowl, and mittens set in my Yarn Pooling Made Easy book is a mostly-blue design.

Marly Bird Knit Patterns Designed in Blue

Of course, I’ve designed other patterns in blue. And since I love to be bicrafty, some of those blue patterns are knit patterns. For example, check out:

Fair Isle Knit Hat Free Pattern

The Chill Out Winter Hat is a Fair Isle knit hat with a beautiful Latvian Braid detail. And it’s knit in beautiful blues.

Pocket Cardigan Free Knit Pattern

The Marly Made Me Do It (MMMDI) knit cardigan with pockets is a free crochet pattern that makes the most of blue yarn!

chevron knit hat free pattern

The It’s So Suite Hat is a one-ball beginner-friendly project in blue.

diamond knit dishcloth free pattern

Wash away the blues with my Diamond Brocade Dishcloth free knitting pattern.

tilted blocks knit shawl pattern

The Tilted Blocks shawl is a garter stitch shawl worked in a half circle shape for a unique design.

free capelet knit pattern

In 2020, I collaborated with Moogly on the Leap Day Mystery Make-Along. I did the knit design, which turned out to be a mostly-blue capelet.

game day cowl knit hat pattern

As I said, I do the Game Day CAL/KAL every year. It’s no surprise that in 2020 a lot of blue showed up in the design too!

learn how to knit socks

In my Ultimate Guide to How to Knit Socks, I shared some of my favorite beginner sock knitting videos and patterns. As you can see, I like blue socks!

3 Mindfulness Crochet Exercises to Help You Destress

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These three mindfulness crochet exercises are excerpted from Kathryn Vercillo’s book Hook to Heal: 100 Crochet Exercises For Health, Growth, Connection, Inspiration and Honoring Your Inner Artist. Note that although these are crochet-specific, you can adapt them to work as mindfulness knitting exercises, too.

DISCLOSURE: Post contains affiliate links.

There are so many different things that cause stress in our lives. In the era of Covid, it might seem like so much is out of your control. And, of course, many people find the end of the year – with holidays, short days, etc. to be stressful.

However, no matter what stressors are going on, there are things that you can do to reduce the impact of that stress on your daily life. You can improve your health and wellbeing with attention and care. Mindfulness practice is one key way to help yourself during times of stress.

craft as therapy crochet exercises

What Is Mindfulness Crochet?

Put simply, mindfulness is the act of focusing non-judgmentally on what is happening in the present moment both internally and externally.  You settle down enough to see your experience, thoughts, and emotions. Moreover, you come to a settled place inside where you don’t have to react in ways that you don’t want to despite those experiences, thoughts, and emotions.

Mindfulness crochet is the art of using crochet to access mindfulness. Mindfulness is a process. It’s a strength that you grow day by day. Practicing it through crochet (or knitting if that’s your preferred craft) helps strengthen it.

Benefits of Mindfulness Practice

Studies and anecdotal evidence show that mindfulness benefits include:

  • Less rumination, which means a calmer mind and can reduce depression and anxiety
  • Increased ability to enjoy daily small pleasures and truly savor life
  • Improved ability to handle difficult events and experiences
  • Assists in reducing impact of chronic pain conditions
  • Reduces problems with insomnia
  • Strengthens the immune system
  • Enhances working memory as well as cognitive flexibility
  • Makes you more appreciative and more satisfied with life and relationships
  • Stress-relief, which is associated with countless mental and physical health benefits
  • Generally improved quality of life
  • Increases self-compassion, allowing you to access your inner artist!

Mindfulness Crochet for Holiday Stress

Plus mindfulness crochet brings back the joy of crafting for the holidays. If you find yourself stressed about all the decor, gifts, and sales items you need to craft during the holiday season, then mindfulness crochet especially helps you reduce your stress. You’ll get present with the craft and remember why you enjoy doing it in the first place! This is also true during non-holiday seasons when you find yourself losing your “crojo”.

3 exercises to destress with yarn

Mindfulness Crochet Exercise 1: Basic Practice

This is a beginner’s exercise to get you started with mindfulness crochet. Read through the exercise first then find a quiet space in your home to practice the exercise. 

Select a crochet hook and yarn that are both easy to work with. Sit still with your work in your lap. All that you are going to be doing is making a long crochet chain. You will slowly work each loop of the chain, counting each loop as you make it. Focus all of your attention on making one loop at a time and not allowing any other thoughts to creep in. Every time that you notice a thought, frog the chain and start over. 

So, for example, you will start your chain … One loop, two loops … (I have so much to do today ….) … Frog, re-start the chain … One loop, two loops, three loops … (I forgot to download the app for that Zoom meeting tomorrow ….) Frog and start over.

Try to continue this exercise until you have successfully focused on the loops at hand and let all other thoughts pass to the length of a ten-loop chain. When you are first learning mindfulness, you may only be able to achieve a chain length of five or six. That’s okay. Be gentle with yourself. Mindfulness isn’t easy. It isn’t a thing that you achieve; it’s a thing you practice.

Mindfulness Yarn Exercise 2: Notice Each Aspect of a Stitch

One of the simplest exercises to explain (although it can be surprisingly difficult in practice) is to try to be mindful of every single part of every single stitch that you create in your work.

Instead of just working a double crochet stitch, try to pay attention to every micro-motion involved in working it … from the slight twist of your wrist to the way that you are holding your fingers to the almost imperceptible friction between the yarn and the hook.

How many little actions can you notice in just one double crochet stitch? With each stitch that you work across a row, try to notice one more action than you did in the stitch before.

Notice your breath as you work. Notice the slight split of the yarn fibers. Notice the contrast between your hook color and yarn color. Be truly mindful of the tiniest parts of your work and you can’t help but become completely immersed in the entire process of your craft.

Tip: You can do this one even if you aren’t actually crocheting at the moment. You can close your eyes anywhere, anytime, and visualize the act of crocheting a stitch that you’re familiar with.

mindfulness crochet exercises

Mindfulness Crochet Exercise 3: 60 Second Observation

This is a great exercise because you can practice it any time that you are crocheting or knitting, whenever it comes to mind to do so.

Simply pause anywhere in your work and stay still for sixty seconds. During that time, consciously observe your project. Just look at it and take in the saturation of the yarn’s color, the details of the stitch work, the overall project and how it breaks down into its small components. Notice what you can see through the holes of the stitches and what it feels like to switch your gaze from the work to the point beyond the work through those holes. Just sixty seconds of mindfulness crochet practiced regularly can be very healing.

As your practice improves, you may incorporate longer periods of observation. You may begin and each crochet / knitting session with three or five minutes of observation. Whether or not you practice longer periods of mindful crochet observation, it’s helpful to keep this 60-second tool in your toolbox for regular use because the simplicity and brevity of it allows you to utilize it more often than longer practices.

Have you ever practiced mindfulness crochet or knitting for stress relief? Ask your questions in the comments below or over on social media!

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