No-one’s life pans out quite the way they might expect, but it should never be too late to try and get back on course. Every man deserves opportunities to become the best man they can possibly be.
My mother and grandmother could both knit and crochet. In fact my grandmother could do just about anything. I learned the basics as a child and then didn’t bother with it for many years. I picked up some unhealthy habits as an adult, and about 10 years ago I replaced one bad habit with a good one. I started by trying to knit a little baby beanie – it wasn’t great, but I could see the potential.
Interestingly, knitting has historically been a men’s craft. It’s inexpensive, transportable, plus there’s a bucket of research to demonstrate knitting is about much more than just making things. It exercises memory and fine motor skills, it calms, reduces stress, lowers blood pressure, it can distract from negative thoughts…the list goes on and on.
We started [the knitting group] in January this year and get together for two hours every week. Eight gents come along to each session, and we have a waiting list to join. Each week our core group turns up enthusiastically and on time.
Our skills are improving, and our first beanies are off the needles. We ran an informal evaluation after eight weeks, and here are a few of the comments that we heard:
- “It’s relaxing. Teaches me patience”
- “It’s a great social outlet”
- “Takes my mind off other things”
- “I felt proud telling my family I was knitting”
- “I sleep better on a Wednesday after this session”
- “I feel a sense of achievement”.
The group is currently run in Ron Barwick Minimum Security facility for men. We endeavour to go to medium in the near future.
We started [the knitting group] in January this year and get together for two hours every week. Eight gents come along to each session, and we have a waiting list to join. Each week our core group turns up enthusiastically and on time.
Our skills are improving, and our first beanies are off the needles. We ran an informal evaluation after eight weeks, and here are a few of the comments that we heard:
- “It’s relaxing. Teaches me patience”
- “It’s a great social outlet”
- “Takes my mind off other things”
- “I felt proud telling my family I was knitting”
- “I sleep better on a Wednesday after this session”
- “I feel a sense of achievement”.
The group is currently run in Ron Barwick Minimum Security facility for men. We endeavour to go to medium in the near future.
