This year, Warwick will be holding a Wellbeing Week between 4-8 February 2019 to communicate key messages on wellbeing, including healthy lifestyles, physical health and activity, mental health, financial wellbeing, and sleep and the support and facilities available at the university. Find out more from the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion team.
Why knitting?
Knitting and sewing can do wonders for your well-being. Research actually suggests that people who participate in arts and crafts feel happier, calmer and more energetic the next day. The action to knit, sew or crochet is one that is rhythmic, using repetitive moments to get to your final goal. These type of movements can give therapeutic benefits to the mind and therefore improve mental health, increasing serotine production creating a happier feeling in your brain.
There is also a feeling of accomplishment that arises after a task is complete, one from one your own physical labour and craftsmen ship.
What brought you to start Knitting?
“I was taught as a child by an elderly neighbour, a kind of ‘extra’ granny. I didn’t knit for years but when I was pregnant with my youngest I had to rest a lot and I’m not good at doing nothing so I went to my local wool shop and got some cheap and cheerful yarn and started knitting squares….
Making things is addictive, hence moving on to the ‘hard stuff’ of dressmaking…”
What is your current project?
“I usually have more than one WIP (work in progress) on the go. I am doing a blanket for my daughter at the moment which is taking ages. I like doing little quirky gifts rather than garments which end up being too hot to wear. Whilst I am making a gift I am knitting love and care and good vibes for the recipient into every stitch. Which lucky CLL folk have I knitted for? That would be telling.”
How do you think knitting improves your well-being?
“It’s very satisfying and gives me an ‘excuse’ or permission to relax in front of the tv. Sewing takes more concentration but I can really find myself in a state of ‘flow’ where I don’t notice the time or what is going on around me.”
Some of Gill’s projects so far:
Baby Blanket
Knitted Dog
Guitar
Dinosaur
Reindeer
Platypus
Baby blanket
Cow Cushion
Tortoise
About the blogger
Gill Frigerio is a Principal Teaching Fellow who leads on the Centre’s qualifications in Career Studies and Coaching. She is module leader on a number of modules within the programmes on Career Development and Coaching Studies (CDCS) and Career Education, Information and Guidance in Higher Education (CEIGHE) and supervises dissertation students.
Lifelong Learning at Warwick 
This may sound odd coming from a man or make perspective but I have been (not knitting) but doing counted cross stitch for over 30 years while active and since retired. My wife showed me how to do it and over time I have come to look at it as art work. Every time I sit in front of the TV I feel that I’m wasting time so I do whatever current project off counted cross stitch I’m currently working on at the same time. I have done blankets for both my children and now grandchild. It is relaxing and can be mentally challenging but I like that I’m accomplishing something and not wasting time in front of the TV. I’ve always wondered if it was beneficial for the mind. Anyway, this is not typical for a guy to do such thing but I enjoy it just like I enjoy my other activities, marathon running, hunting, fishing, and camping. Just my two cents.
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