How simple needle crafts can help to reduce stress and aid with Earth Friendly- Green Sustainable Living

Categories: Arts And Crafts, DIY Lifestyle, Green Living, Wellness and Relationships

​I just thought of this funny incident that had happened to me some time ago. Back when I used to visit client sites in person, one of the Mondays, I decided to wear this beautiful grey crocheted shawl that I had created over the weekend. Now as we know, most Management Consultants are expected to be ‘totally business savvy’ and that too when you are in the technology area, people tend to view folks like myself as if we are AI incarnate (AI stands for Artificial Intelligence- read that as innovative, intelligent machines)!! 

So, one of the client personnel commented on the shawl and complimented me on how beautiful it looked, and I thanked him and said that I am even more happy to hear his compliment, considering I had made it myself!! He was quite taken aback!! He almost blurted out- “you mean made, like actually make it”- making a knitting gesture. I smiled and said yes, except it is crocheted and not knitted. 

Now with this being within the IT (Information Technology) division of the organization; his reaction was not surprising.

In the photos above- 
1. Cotton dish cloths- some are crocheted and some knitted. When I started, it would take me close to an hour to knit one. 
2. It is a simple triangular shawl, almost like a prayer shawl that I made over the weekend. 

As I reflected about it later in the day, I realized that- not many people realize the importance of hobbies and crafts. In today’s day and age where machine produced items are sold at such cheap price, it is almost impossible to think of specially crafted items. Back in India, when I was growing up, we got our clothes tailor-made. That was the norm  and now, tailor-made seems like a luxury which only the uber-rich can afford (particularly here is North America)!

​Hobbies such as knitting, sewing, embroidery, quilt-making and so on, not only help us to create beautiful, unique items- they also allow us to live a sustainable green life. Because the more we make at home (and it does take some time to make one), we get out of the rut of consumerism- “buy at first glance and dump at first fade” viewpoint.

​The few items we make, we take good care of them. If they fade a little or get a little tear- we fix it. We truly utilize the garment for its entire lifecycle and not garbage it as soon as a new sale starts, or it shows the first signs of wear or tear.
​
Taking the time and effort to make something of good quality allows us to be our own designer- it feels great to wear our creation with joy and pride. It also helps to improve our mood and self-image; as we are wearing a truly unique (one of its kind) item. AND to top it, most of these crafts are great at relieving stress.

​Crafts like knitting are high on the list of natural stressbusters. I for one, can surely vouch for their great emotional benefits.   The repetitive action of creating the knits (or crochet stiches) makes it a great meditation tool. Many people who are not able to do traditional meditation of sitting still in one place for a certain length of time, find great benefit in taking up one of these crafts- particularly knitting- as it rhythmically engages both the hands.

​There is something calming, almost serene, maybe even romantic about knitting, particularly on a cold winter evening by the fireplace. Beautiful music in the background just adds to this ambience. And the end product is something that you can enjoy, not only for its beauty, but also for its utility! Each time, you use it, it helps you to relive your calm and joyful experience of artistic creativity.

And don’t think that this is only for women. Many men knit and sew- particularly for its meditative and health benefits and/or for its contribution towards living an earth-friendly green lifestyle.

So, maybe this holiday season, make it a decision to learn a new needle craft and give your dear ones, something that you have created, with lot of thought, caring and love- especially created- just for them.

​If you are wondering on how to get started, then there are many instructional videos that are freely available online. This is how I learnt this skill. Even though I have artistic inclinations; knitting and crochet used to 'scare' me… but once I got the hang of it, I now find that there is nothing which can take its place to help me to relax and feel at ease- particularly after a ludicrous meeting with the clients or after a nerve-jittering day in the financial markets. 

Try it for yourself and see how easy it is to meditate, create something beautiful (and useful) and also relax- all in the same go…