Using Knitting as a Fidgeting Tool
Something about me is that my hands tend to always be moving. Because of this, I picked up the habit of picking at my skin when I am bored and/ or anxious. This leaves me with many scars on my face and my fingers being infected most of the time.
To try and counteract the skin picking, I try to have some type of fidget in my hands. My favorite fidget that I have found, though, is to knit. I have done it for long enough at this point that I don't really have to look at my hands or think about it as long as I am not doing anything too complicated. This makes it work great for fidgeting.
Another benefit of knitting is that you can make your fidgeting productive. While you are in a meeting or just sitting somewhere waiting you can keep your hands busy while making a sock, a hat, or anything else. You could give away what you knit if you want, but I have discovered that my favorite socks to wear are the ones I knit myself. I also enjoy wearing the hats that I make, and have begun making larger wearables. Making real things that you can touch with your hands is good for mental health, too. For me, at least, I feel more productive when I watch videos and knit during my downtime rather than just playing video games (which I enjoy also, it just feels different).
One thing that could be a positive or a negative of knitting in public is that people tend to come up to you and ask what you are making. It can be fun to share a hobby, but also annoying, so be prepared to have random people (mostly older) ask what you are making and start a conversation.
There are some downsides to knitting, though. One is that it can take a bit to get enough practice in order to knit without looking or thinking. It also is a fidget that requires two hands, so you can't utilize it if you need at least one hand for the task you are doing. Your knitting projects can also get bulky depending on what you make. I stick to small projects when I bring my knitting out with me, such as hats, socks, and gloves. I also try to keep them simple if I plan on using my knitting as a fidget, so minimal colorwork and counting. No matter what project you decide on, though, there are probably going to be some parts you have to concentrate on, so that can be annoying.
Some people also find success in crochet as a fidget, but I find that I have difficulty crocheting without looking at it. It also tends to make a bulkier fabric, which can make it harder to bring with you in some cases.
If you are a skin picker and do not like crafting or don't want to invest in the materials, there are other options for you. I enjoy using a Koosh ball to pick at when I want to pick at my skin but cannot knit. Another option would be picky pads. I have never used them, but have heard good things on the internet, so make sure to do your research.
If I have piqued your interest into knitting, I will link to some good resources that you may find helpful.
- Nimble Needles YouTube channel is a great resource to learn how to knit, for both new knitters and more experienced ones.
- KnitPicks has decent yarn at good prices, especially during their sales
- If you already know the basics of knitting, Meanwhile At The Castle's sock knitting series is a great way to begin knitting basic socks
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