Knitting Helps Tom Daley Switch Off. Its Mental Health Benefits Are Not Just for Olympians
Olympian Tom Daley is the most decorated diver in Britain’s history. He is also an avid knitter. At the Paris 2024 Olympics, Daley added a fifth medal to his collection – and caught the world’s attention knitting a bright blue “Paris 24” jumper while traveling to the games and in the stands.
At the Tokyo Olympics, where Daley was first spotted knitting, he explained its positive impact on his mental health.
It just turned into my mindfulness, my meditation, my calm and my way to escape the stresses of everyday life and, in particular, going to an Olympics.
The mental health benefits of knitting are well established. So why is someone famous like Daley knitting in public still so surprising?
Knitting is Gendered
Knitting is usually associated with women – especially older women – as a hobby done at home. In a large international survey of knitting, 99% of respondents identified as female.
But the history of yarn crafts and gender is more tangled. In Europe in the middle ages, knitting guilds were exclusive and reserved for men. They were part of a respected Europe-wide trade addressing a demand for knitted products that could not be satisfied by domestic workers alone.
The industrial revolution made the production of clothed goods cheaper and faster than hand-knitting. Knitting and other needle crafts became a leisure activity for women, done in the private sphere of the home.
World Wars I and II turned the spotlight back on knitting as a “patriotic duty”, but it was still largely taken up by women.
During COVID lockdowns, knitting saw another resurgence. But knitting still most often makes headlines when men – especially famous men like Daley or actor Ryan Gosling – do it.
Men who knit are often seen as subverting the stereotype it’s an activity for older women.
Knitting the Stress Away
Knitting can produce a sense of pride and accomplishment. But for an elite sportsperson like Daley – whose accomplishments already include four gold medals and one silver – its benefits lie elsewhere.
Olympics-level sport relies on perfect scores and world records. When it comes to knitting, many of the mental health benefits are associated with the process, rather than the end result.
Daley says knitting is the “one thing” that allows him to switch off completely, describing it as “my therapy”.
knit for hours on end, honestly. There’s something that’s so satisfying to me about just having that rhythm and that little “click-clack” of the knitting needles. There is not a day that goes by where I don’t knit.
Knitting can create a “flow” state through rhythmic, repetitive movements of the yarn and needle. Flow offers us a balance between challenge, accessibility, and a sense of control.
It’s been shown to have benefits relieving stress in high-pressure jobs beyond elite sport. Among surgeons, knitting has been found to improve wellbeing as well as manual dexterity, crucial to their role.
For other health professionals – including oncology nurses and mental health workers – knitting has helped to reduce “compassion fatigue” and burnout. Participants described the soothing noise of their knitting needles. They developed and strengthened team bonds through collective knitting practices.
Knitting is a Community
The evidence for the benefits of knitting is often based on self-reporting. These studies tend to produce consistent results and involve large population samples.
This may point to another benefit of knitting: its social aspect.
Knitting and other yarn crafts can be done alone, and usually require simple materials. But they also provide a chance to socialise by bringing people together around a common interest, which can help reduce loneliness.
The free needle craft database and social network Ravelry contains more than one million patterns, contributed by users. “Yarn bombing” projects aim to engage the community and beautify public places by covering objects such as benches and stop signs with wool.
The interest in Daley’s knitting online videos has formed a community of their own.
In them he shows the process of making the jumper, not just the finished product. That includes where he “went wrong” and had to unwind his work.
His pride in the finished product – a little bit wonky, but “made with love” – can be a refreshing antidote to the flawless achievements often on display at the Olympics.
Conclusion
Tom Daley’s knitting habits have captured the attention of the public and the media. But the benefits of knitting extend far beyond the world of sport and celebrity.
Knitting can be a valuable tool for managing stress, improving mental health, and providing a sense of community and connection. As Daley’s example shows, it’s not just for Olympians or grandmothers – anyone can benefit from the therapeutic effects of knitting.
FAQs
Q: What are the mental health benefits of knitting?
A: Knitting has been shown to reduce stress, improve mood, and increase feelings of calm and relaxation. It can also provide a sense of accomplishment and pride in the finished product.
Q: Is knitting only for women?
A: While knitting is often associated with women, it is a gender-neutral activity that can be enjoyed by anyone. In fact, men who knit are often seen as subverting traditional gender stereotypes.
Q: Can knitting be used in therapy?
A: Yes, knitting has been used as a therapeutic tool in a variety of settings, including hospitals, mental health clinics, and palliative care. It can be a powerful way to reduce stress and improve mental health.
Q: How can I get started with knitting?
A: There are many resources available to help you get started with knitting, including online tutorials, patterns, and communities. You can also join a local knitting group or take a class to learn the basics.
Q: Is knitting a viable hobby for people with disabilities?
A: Yes, knitting can be a viable hobby for people with disabilities. There are many adaptive knitting techniques and tools available, and many people with disabilities have found that knitting provides a sense of accomplishment and fulfillment.
Q: Can knitting be used to help people cope with trauma?
A: Yes, knitting has been used as a coping mechanism for people who have experienced trauma. The repetitive motion of knitting can be soothing and calming, and the sense of control and accomplishment can be empowering.
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