Julien's Journal December 2016 (Volume 41, Number 12) | Page 24

FEATURES
The Positive Impact of Needlework

In addition to the positive humanitarian impact that is possible through needlework, research has
found that it also has a calming effect. Patients in hospitals and rehabilitation centers, individuals
participating in smoking cessation programs, and even prisoners are finding relief in knitting needles.
Research conducted at Massachusetts General Hospital found that the quiet repetition helped the
body relax, dropped the knitter’s heart rate and blood pressure, slowed breathing, and decreased
stress hormones.
Dr. Herbert Benson, a pioneer in mind/body medicine and author of The Relaxation Response reports
that needlework can induce a relaxed state similar to that associated with meditation and yoga.
Some people find that when their hands are busy holding needles and hooks, they’re less inclined
to snack and eat out of boredom. Others have discovered that their handiwork helps their arthritic
fingers remain more dexterous. And many report that crafts such as knitting and crocheting provide
opportunities for social interaction with others who share their interests.
Perhaps the most exciting finding suggests that crafts such as these may help stave off a decline in
brain function. Dr. Yonas El Geda, at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN, discovered that individuals who
engage in crafts like knitting and crocheting have less chance of developing mild cognitive impairment
and memory loss.
challenges facing beginners is how to develop
the correct tension and how to manage the
yarn while knitting.” Her recommendation?
“Stick with it a little bit every day. Make an attempt each day to improve your skill.”

Sara strives to meet the needs of those with
experience as well as beginners just learning
to knit and/or crochet. She offers a “Happy
Hour Drop-in” every Tuesday and Thursday
from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. Aimed at addressing
specific questions, participants can receive assistance on their projects, socialize with others, and learn something new. “Happy Hour” is
open to one and all regardless of their projects
or skill levels.
Special classes include Socks! Toe-up, Twoat-a-Time, Building in Color Blanket, My First
Hat, Mitten Workshop, and Mastering the
Magic Loop. Students must know the basics
of knitting prior to enrolling in these classes.
Sara suggests using online resources to
supplement hands-on classes. “The internet
is a wonderful resource and can be useful
in connecting with others who have similar
needlework interests. Knitting and crocheting

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provide a sense of accomplishment, satisfy
an independent streak, and provide a lot of
creative control… once you know the rules
you know how to break them to achieve
your goals.”

In addition to classes, Yarn Soup is also the
venue for special group work. Sara credits
Kate Fischer with providing the initiative behind “Loving Hands,” the charitable group of
talented volunteers supported by Yarn Soup.
They dedicate themselves to various causes
locally, regionally, and internationally.

“Loving Hands” participants make hats for
youngsters in inner cities, caps for preemie
babies, purple baby hats to encourage safety
in handling babies, chemo caps, and blankets
for children involved in police initiatives.
According to Kate, hundreds of items have
been donated to Iowa City hospitals, local
hospitals, St. Mark’s Center, Grant County,
and others.
The Mother Bear Project provides children
affected by HIV/AIDS in emerging nations
with a hand-knit or crocheted bear. Kate
discovered Mother Bear five years ago and

invited her nonagenarian mother, Mom
Tweetie, to join her in making bears. Kate
said, “It filled the last three years of her life
when she was largely homebound. Mom
would arise each morning saying, ‘I can’t go
out and fix the world today, but I can make
bears for our kiddos.’”
Volunteers in all 50 states and the District of
Columbia contribute to the Mother Bear effort. Twenty-three cities in Iowa participate
in the project with approximately 200 bears
donated by Dubuque volunteers each year.

The generosity of the talented volunteers
goes beyond our borders. Afghans for Afghans is a humanitarian people-to-people
project that sends hand-knit and crocheted
blankets, hats, mittens, socks, sweaters, and
vests to the people of Afghanistan. For those
interested in learning more, please visit
www.afghansforafghans.org.
While many may wonder if needlework is
not a thing of the past, January data from
the Craft Yarn Council indicates that a third
of women between 25 and 35 years of age
now knit or crochet. Even men and schoolage children are engaging in the creative
process. Tom Hanks and George Lucas are
among a list of male celebrities who have
taken up the art of needlework. In fact,
Rosey Grier, American author, singer, minister, and former professional football player
with the New York Giants and the Los Angeles Rams wrote Rosey Grier’s Needlepoint for
Men over 40 years ago! Sara reports that she
has several male customers who come in
pretty regularly. “Most knit afghans, socks,
and/or shawls for people in their lives.”
Whether you’re male or female, young or
not so young, a novice or experienced fiber
friend… or perhaps a wannabe, Yarn Soup
is definitely worth exploring. As customer
Dee Chapman exclaimed, “Yarn Soup is the
most helpful yarn shop around . They’re
always so welcoming!” Warm and friendly,
bright and colorful… Yarn Soup provides a
feast of fiber! v