Sylvia Watts-Cherry is a knitwear designer and teacher who is probably best known for her colourful intarsia designs.  I love listening to other people talk about knitting, and was really drawn to Sylvia's description of her Paragon sweater design as being a 'happy knit' and the idea that intarsia feels therapeutic for her as she doesn't have time to think....something I relate to! I also loved hearing Sylvia speak about a different way in which knitting has been therapeutic for her, in allowing her a way of exploring and connecting to her African heritage, by taking inspiration from African jewellery and artefacts for her knitwear designs. Sylvia Watts-Cherry Instagram: @withcherriesontoptoo Ravelry: Sylvia Watts-Cherry Mia Hobbs Website: therapeuticknitting.org Patreon: Why I Knit Podcast Instagram: @knittingistherapeutic

Creating something from nothing with Sylvia Watts-Cherry

Welcome to the Why I Knit podcast!  My name is Dr Mia Hobbs and I am a Clinical Psychologist who is passionate about the mental health benefits of knitting.
Each episode of the podcast I interview a different knitter about why they knit and the (k)nitty gritty of how it impacts their mental wellbeing.  
I have an inspiring and diverse range of knitters lined up who have generously shared their stories with me.
You can follow me on Instagram @knittingistherapeutic and get more information on the therapeutic benefits of knitting at my website www.therapeuticknitting.org

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Thanks so much for your questions for the Q&A; episode, it has been so interesting to be asked such great questions. Mia Hobbs Find out more at my website: www.therapeuticknitting.org Follow me on Instagram: @knittingistherapeutic

The Q&A Episode

For the final episode of series 6 I am joined by Elizabeth Hammond, also known as The Knitchen on Instagram. Elizabeth describes herself as a knitter, test knitter and dabbling designer.  She joins me to speak about turning to knitting to help with her mental health and also during her recovery from a car accident. Thanks so much for listening to the 6th series of the podcast - we have now reached an incredible 100,000 downloads!  To celebrate this milestone I am recording a Q&A; episode - if you have a question please get in touch! Elizabeth Instagram:  @theknitchen Ravelry: Elizabeth Hammond Mia Hobbs Find out more at my website: www.therapeuticknitting.org Follow me on Instagram: @knittingistherapeutic

Making something beautiful from the darkest places in life with Elizabeth Hammond

Ellen describes herself a tech editor and occasional designer who identifies as queer and neurodivergent. She speaks about how knitting feeds her inner engineer and allows her to use some skills that she might otherwise have explored in her career.   She also talks about the ways in which knitting helps her to connect to family, friends and a new community. Ellen Website: www.knithow.com Instagram: @knithow Mia Hobbs Find out more at my website: www.therapeuticknitting.org Follow me on Instagram: @knittingistherapeutic

Feeding a part of my brain that needs to be fed with Ellen Coy

Madison Siegel joins me this week to speak about using knitting as a mindful practice to help her to step back from and notice her thoughts rather than be caught up in them. She speaks about having a diagnosis of ADHD and feeling anxious after the birth of her second child, and how knitting has been part of finding balance and allowing herself to take up space. Madison doesn't have a public Instagram account. Mia Hobbs Find out more at my website: www.therapeuticknitting.org Follow me on Instagram: @knittingistherapeutic

Knitting to connect mind and body with Madison Siegel

Susie Bass is a researcher studying a PHD in the relationship between power, identity and mental health through craft.  Susie is a knitter and multi-crafter and during our discussion she speaks about how craft has been a common thread which has helped her to process traumatic events in her life, and to reconstruct herself afterwards. CONTENT WARNING: During our conversation Susie speaks about losing a baby and experiencing a sexual assault. She also speaks about the process of being diagnosed with ADHD and Autism in adulthood. Susie Bass Instagram: @susiebass_anyhow  for links to Susie's work Mia Hobbs Find out more at my website: www.therapeuticknitting.org Follow me on Instagram: @knittingistherapeutic

Creating something from nothing with Sylvia Watts-Cherry

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