Greetings! January is often a time for reflections and resolutions. Throughout 2024, we're going to reflect on our crafts and how they influence our lives.

Why do we craft, crochet, cross stitch, knit, needlepoint, spin, weave? Each of us has a different reason and many of our reasons are supported by science. First, playing with fiber (or any other medium) inspires creativity, which requires physical and mental challenges. Overcoming these challenges improves our cognitive capacity (brain power!), which contributes to childhood development and can delay mental decline in later life. 

Crafting also lowers stress hormones as you find your stitching flow. Many of you might call this "mindless" crafting, but it's beneficial to your well-being (more on why in a future issue). Since many of you craft in groups at Yarnivore or elsewhere, you'll understand that crafting is a social activity. This socialization contributes to a sense of well-being and improved life satisfaction. 

So, the next time someone asks why you craft, you can answer with a little bit of science.