Under Construction @ Keele 2016 Volume 1 Issue 1 | Page 44

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consequently effects their realisation of the ability to have order in their lives.21
Crafting and music stimulate clear thinking, positive feelings and creativity which in
turn encourage individuals to view challenges and problems in life from new
perspectives.22 Creative development, self-development and improved self-esteem
are other common benefits of both of these activities.23 The rhythmic entrainment
and sensory nature of knitting and music provide calmness, relaxation, meditative
and therapeutic benefits.24 Even though meditation has numerous positive benefits
its necessity for cognitive engagement and understanding stands beyond certain
groups of people (very young, elderly, learning disabilities, mental illnesses). As a
result, therapists find it problematic to teach these exercises to patients in these
conditions. However, in knitting and music both a meditative-like state occurs
naturally and does not require conventional understanding or focussed attention.
Music is popular as a social activity by playing in ensembles, chamber groups,
orchestras, singing in choirs, generally with the intention of performing to an
audience. However, knitting is often considered a solitary activity and does not
involve performing to an audience. Nevertheless, through the rise of knitting sites
and knitting groups on social media such as Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn the
continuance of knitting groups have proved significant social benefits such as
meeting people, making new friends, optimising self-identity as a group member.25
In conclusion, music and hand-knitting, although two seemingly distinctive
activities share many common psychological and social benefits as well as
transferable life skills. Based on previous research findings of engaging in music and
crafting (particularly hand-knitting) independently, the current research objective is to
draw individuals of these two groups together in order to compare and examine the
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C. Tubbs, and M. Drake, Crafts and creative media in therapy (New Jersey: Slack Inc.,2007).
A. F. Collier, ‘The well-being of women who create with textiles: Implications for art therapy,’ Art
Therapy 28.3 (2011):104-112.
23
T. Koutsoupidou and D. J. Hargreaves, ‘An experimental study of the effects of improvisation on the
development of children's creative thinking in music,’ Psychology of Music 37.3 (2009): 251-278; S.
Schofield-Tomschin, and M. A. Littrell, ‘Textile handcraft guild participation: A conduit to successful
aging,’ Clothing and Textiles Research Journal 19.2 (2001): 41-5; P.A. Fisher, ‘Successful aging, life
satisfaction, and generativity in later life,’ International Journal of Ageing and Human Development
41.3 (1995): 239-250; E. L. Burt and J. Atkinson, ‘The relationship between quilting and wellbeing,’
Journal of Public Health, 34.1 (2012): 54-59.
24
Turney (2009); T. Katz-Freiman.‘Craftsmen in the factory of images’. In G. Adamson The Craft
Reader (Oxford: Berg, 2010),596-605.
25
S. Minahan and J. W. Cox, ‘Stitch'nBitch Cyberfeminism, a Third Place and the New Materiality,’
Journal of material culture 12.1 (2007): 5-21.
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