Ever tried meditation and felt like you were doing it wrong? Your brain won’t shut up, sitting still feels impossible, or you get 2 minutes in and reach for your phone?

I’ve been there.

That’s why knitting is different. In this episode, I’m breaking down the actual neuroscience of why knitting calms your nervous system—and why it works even when meditation doesn’t.

You’ll learn:

• How repetitive motion activates your “rest and digest” mode
• Why scrolling keeps you stressed (even when you think you’re relaxing)
• What’s actually happening in your brain when you knit
• The physical benefits: lower cortisol, better sleep, reduced anxiety

This isn’t just a hobby. It’s a tool. And once you understand the science, you’ll never look at knitting the same way.

LINKS MENTIONED:

1. Free guide: “Swap Scrolling for Stitching”
2. Follow on Instagram
3. Episode 1: “I’m Back—And I Finally Know What This Podcast Is About”

RESEARCH CITED:

Riley, J., Corkhill, B., & Morris, C. (2013). The benefits of knitting for personal and social wellbeing in adulthood: Findings from an international survey. British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 76(2), 50-57. https://doi.org/10.4276/030802213X13603244419077

Benson, H., & Klipper, M. Z. (2000). The Relaxation Response. Harper Torch. (Research on the relaxation response and its connection to repetitive activities like knitting from Harvard Medical School.)

SUBSCRIBE:

New episodes every Wednesday. Don’t miss the next one!

LEAVE A REVIEW:

If this episode helped you, leave a quick review—it helps other stressed moms find the show.

I took a 6-month break from the podcast… and today I’m sharing the real reason why. In this comeback episode, I’m walking you through what life looked like behind the scenes, what I learned during that pause, and the new clear focus for Knit Your Stress Away moving forward.

If you’ve been overwhelmed, overstimulated, and stuck in that “scrolling at 10pm but feeling worse” cycle… you’re in the right place.

In This Episode, We Talk About:

• Why I stepped away for six months (and why I have zero guilt about it)
• What it looked like supporting my oldest through college prep + homeschooling
• The clarity I gained about what this podcast is really about
• Who this show is for (and who it’s not for)
• Why knitting isn’t “just a hobby”… it’s a real stress-relief tool
• What to expect going forward (new schedule + episode style)
• The question that’s guiding every episode from here on out: “How does this help you knit instead of scroll?”

What’s Different Now

This podcast is officially laser-focused on helping busy moms:

✅ calm their nervous system

✅ put their phone down without relying on willpower

✅ build a knitting habit that actually fits real life

✅ create small pockets of peace (even if it’s just 20 minutes)

Whether you’re brand new to knitting or coming back to it after years… I’ve got you.

🎁 Free Guide: Swap Scrolling for Stitching

(It’ll walk you through what to buy, how to start, and how to build the habit even if you’re starting from zero.)

Link: [ADD YOUR LINK HERE — keep as plain text]

Connect With Me

Come hang out on Instagram:

@theknittingmamas

(I share beginner tips, simple teaching Reels, and real talk about stress + motherhood.)

Welcome to our last Summer Throwback episode of Knit Your Stress Away— it’s been a cozy revisit to some of our most-loved episodes from the archives.

Today we’re going back to a personal favorite where I share what it was like to pick up my knitting needles again after two decades away. Spoiler: it wasn’t as easy as riding a bike. 😅

If you’re a beginner—or someone returning to knitting after a long break—this one’s for you.

In this episode, I’m sharing the biggest mistakes I made, the lessons I learned the hard way, and all the things I wish someone had told me when I started again.

What You’ll Learn:

✔️ Why perfection isn’t the goal—and what to focus on instead

✔️ The best beginner-friendly yarn and needle recs

✔️ How to decode those confusing abbreviations and pattern lingo

✔️ What to do when you make a mistake (because you will, and that’s okay!)

✔️ How learning alongside others makes the process way more fun and way less overwhelming

✨ Whether you’re brand new or simply need a confidence boost, this episode is here to remind you: you can do this, and it doesn’t have to be complicated.

Resources & Links:

🧶 Grab my free “3 Things You Need to Start Knitting” cheatsheet → https://www.theknittingmamas.com

🧶 Learn step-by-step inside the 90-min Headband Workshop—perfect if you want to knit something calming and simple with full support → https://www.theknittingmamas.com

🧶 Explore my go-to tools, favorite yarns, and knitting must-haves → https://www.theknittingmamas.com