I myself seem to have an obsessive habit of crocheting when I find myself overwhelmed or bored. Even though everyone has their own methods of coping with immense feelings, I often wonder if there is a reason doing handcrafts attract many people to pursue the hobby for years. These are some of the causes I’ve found.
Repetitiveness
Constant motions such as tapping or pacing are known to be means of coping with anxiety. This can also apply to habits such as running, drinking, and eating. Doing actions repetitively results in a fixed attachment to that behavior, whether it becomes positive or negative. Crocheting and knitting provide the same satisfaction, as the process involves doing some of the same stitches over and over to conjure a finished project. After every completed design, there is an eagerness to continue and move on to the next one.
Productivity
Accomplishing each crocheted or knitted project can make someone feel successful and proud, encouraging further work in the future. Even if one of the designs is complicated or unfinished, just being able to have an activity to do provides motivation to get better and be able to master a skill. Plus, the more experienced you get, the cooler the stuff that you can make.
Community
I personally learned to crochet from my grandmother and was then introduced to her group of knitting/crocheting ladies. Learning how to be better at both the hobby and about their life stories has been very rewarding, and I always feel at ease around them. Finding a community with knitters and crocheters is very common and can be helpful for curing struggles both mentally and with your project.
Why I think you should crochet or knit (or both)
Not only can you make all kinds of things ranging from dishcloths to complete outfits, but the actual handwork of knitting and crocheting can also be relaxing. It has been proven having repetitive and productive habits that are healthy can provide relief to anxiety and high levels of stress. When presented with stressful situations, whipping out knitting needles or a crochet hook with some yarn can supply a simple solution.