CALLING ALL KNITTERS! By Dina Campeis
Knitting is one of those things I wish I could do but not so much that I take the time to learn. Yet!
Remember the Blossom Street series of books written by Debbie Macomber about a knitting store with characters of various ages and stories to tell? I was ‘hooked’ and read the entire series! Yet I still haven’t taken up knitting. I have however, been lucky enough to attend a weekly knitting group held at Mosaic Home Care. I can’t say that I’ve learned anything about knitting, but I have heard many stories and laughed along with the ladies who have now become friends. It’s Mosaic’s own version of the Blossom Street books.
Knitting and crocheting has become popular once again with the younger generation which is nice to see. They may not knit the shawls and sweaters that we remember, but they are ‘in to’ fingerless gloves, wrist warmers and boot cuffs. And, what about those knit coffee cozies? So cute!
There have been studies suggesting health benefits to knitting. Some, such as the 2011 study by The Mayo Clinic, indicate that knitting engages the brain in ways that can lead to improved brain function similar to other cognitive exercises such as reading books, using computers and playing games, and that these may reduce the development of mild cognitive impairment by 30-50%! Others are based on personal perceptions, and these are the ones that likely resonate with most of us who like to use our hands to create.
The benefits include:
– Feelings of accomplishment/purpose
– Reduced stress (at least for those not still learning!)
– Improved mood
– Sense of confidence
And when in a group setting, these benefits expand to include being social, making new friends, giving and sharing (of knowledge) even to the point of being a support group of sorts.
Interestingly, for younger people, they find knitting to be a good way to reduce stress, whereas for older people, a feeling of accomplishment is more important.
Whatever the reason, knowing that the above is important for knitters, Mosaic has started a project-based program for those who would like to either join a group of like-minded people, or work on a specific project. And the first of these is making a Twiddlemuff. Have you heard of Twiddlemuffs?
These are muffs that have embellishments on them so that those living with dementia have something not only to warm their hands, but also have bits and bobs to keep their hands busy. Since September is World Alzheimer Month, we are hoping to gather people together to learn to make Twiddlemuffs.
If you don’t knit but have bags of wool to donate (or buttons, ribbon etc), please feel free to drop off. We could use the yarn either for the Twiddlemuffs or perhaps for the next project – cat blankets!
Mosaic hosts knitting every Wednesday at Shops on Steeles and 404 and once/monthly on Mondays in mid-Toronto in the CNIB building. If you would like to learn more about this, please email: info@mosaichomecare.com or call us at 905.597.7000.
If you are looking for knitting clubs in your area, contact your local yarn store, or contact https://torontoknittersguild.ca/.
By:
Dina Campeis
Community Relations Manager
Mosaic Home Care & Community Resource Centres
905.597.7000
Tags: Knitting
Follow me on Twitter
My Tweets-
Recent Posts
- The Community Fall Fair and our New Website
- Reducing Loneliness for Healthy Ageing, by Tara Keck, Professor of Neuroscience
- Community Creates Cuddly Critters for Homeward Family Shelter (Juliette’s Place)
- An update from Beth Eshete – Mosaic’s Community Resource & Social Engagement Coordinator
- Celebrating Seniors Month in Toronto! Mark the date, June 8th
Archives
- September 2021
- August 2021
- July 2021
- June 2021
- May 2021
- April 2021
- March 2021
- February 2021
- January 2021
- September 2020
- July 2020
- June 2020
- May 2020
- March 2020
- February 2020
- January 2020
- December 2019
- October 2019
- August 2019
- July 2019
- June 2019
- May 2019
- April 2019
- March 2019
- February 2019
- January 2019
- December 2018
- November 2018
- October 2018
- September 2018
- August 2018
- July 2018
- June 2018
- May 2018
- April 2018
- March 2018
- February 2018
- January 2018
- December 2017
- November 2017
- October 2017
- September 2017
- August 2017
- July 2017
- June 2017
- May 2017
- April 2017
- March 2017
- February 2017
- January 2017
- December 2016
- November 2016
- October 2016
- September 2016
- August 2016
- July 2016
- June 2016
- May 2016
- April 2016
- March 2016
- February 2016
- January 2016
- December 2015
- November 2015
- October 2015
- September 2015
- August 2015
- July 2015
- June 2015
- May 2015
- April 2015
- March 2015
- February 2015
- January 2015
- December 2014
- November 2014
- October 2014
- September 2014
- August 2014
- July 2014
- June 2014
- May 2014
- April 2014
- March 2014
- February 2014
- January 2014
- December 2013
- November 2013
- October 2013
- September 2013
Categories
- Alzheimer's & Dementia
- Client services
- Community
- Conferences
- Daily links
- Dotsa Bitove Wellness Academy
- Education
- Elder Abuse & Awareness
- European Society For Person Centered Health Care
- Events
- Geriatric Care Management
- Good causes
- Health & Nutrition
- Health and exercise
- Human Rights
- Keynote
- Life and art
- Lifestyle Services
- Loneliness and isolation
- Mapping
- Media
- Medications/Pharmacy
- Mid town
- Mosaic Updates
- Music and healing
- Newsletters
- Nursing
- Open House
- Person Centered Care
- Retirement homes
- Social and isolation
- Social Work
- Special Services
- Talks
- The Meaning of Me
- The Verity Club
- Tour Of Our Wonderful City
- Uncategorized