While on vacation last weekend, I knit a new dishcloth for the trailer. I used to knit a lot, but have gotten away from it recently. I’d forgotten how nice it is to just sit and knit. I’ve often heard that knitting is good for the brain and I wondered why, so I went on line to find out. While knitting you are focused on the moment and not thinking of problems, or things that might be stressing you. Knitting puts you in a meditative like state, which decreases your heart rate and blood pressure. When knitting you are concentrating on a pattern and often learning new stitches which is a great exercise for the brain. It is also a wonderful way to exercise your hands and keep fingers limber and flexible. Being part of a  knitting group always made me feel good because I was creating something for someone else.
Last July I wrote a post,The Completion of a Knitted Blanket, where I first showed the above blanket and told about the knitting group I belonged to. I’ve taken a break from knitting, but as I write this I find myself getting excited and looking forward to getting back to this very beneficial hobby. It is time for me to make time to pick up my needles and yarn. For the good of your own health, you might like to do the same. For those who don’t have access to a knitting class or know someone who can teach you, You Tube has many videos on learning how to knit and crochet, which are both equally good for you. Go ahead and give it a try. Learning something new is always a wonderful thing to do.