When it comes to hobbies, knitting is one of the best and most relaxing activities you can undertake. And this is not an exclusive activity for women, as was the case in earlier times. Men weave too, and they have found the emotional benefits of doing so.
Not all the needles you think about these days have to be for vaccines, they can also be to develop those projects that you were afraid to undertake before. Joking aside, a recent survey has revealed that knitting can reduce stress levels and heart rate, stating that this is one of the best hobbies to be practiced during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The survey was conducted with more than two thousand participants. About 20 common hobbies that help reduce stress were listed, including walking, reading, or cooking. The team of researchers found that the hobby that generated the lowest heart rate was knitting.
GK, a leader in textile manufacturing in countries like Honduras, Guatemala, and Mexico, recommends that in this difficult time you venture down unknown routes, and pursue those hobbies that you could not do before due to lack of time or knowledge.
Yarn and what type should you choose
Choosing the correct type of yarn to knit is very important. You have to be selective with your yarn options. Knowing what type of yarn best suits your needs can help ensure the success of your project. For those who are new to this activity, it is recommended to use a medium weight yarn.
Light colors also tend to be better because it is easier to see what you are sewing. Also, wool is often easier for beginners to use because it is more elastic and softer than other fabrics. Fine cotton yarn, and natural fiber yarns are best for advanced knitters, as they are not as stretchy and can be difficult to weave at first.
So a light colored yarn is the best to start with. Don’t be afraid to take your time when buying yarn to knit. Experts even recommend taking the thread in your hands and feeling it for a few seconds, to get a better idea of its elasticity, weight, and composition.
The next step is to choose a knitting needle. As with the thread, they also come in varied presentations. For beginners, bamboo or wooden needles are recommended, because the stitches do not come off the needles as easily as they do with other materials.
It is also a good idea to buy several sets of knitting needles so that you can experiment with different materials until you find the type that you like best.
So go ahead. And remember, if you don’t have a model in person who can help you get started, there is always the possibility to watch some tutorials online to understand what this knitting is all about. The time to test is now!