The mental health benefits of tatting
Tatting for mental health may sound like an unusual idea, but many tatters know that a shuttle, thread and a few knots can make even the most stressful day feel more manageable.
Recently, I have seen a lot of funny mugs, T-shirts and badges with slogans like: “Knitting because murder is wrong.”
As someone who practices tatting, I immediately thought: “Tatting because murder is wrong.”
Of course, it’s a joke! :)))
But like many good jokes, it contains a small grain of truth.
Life can be stressful. People get frustrated. We worry about work, family, money, health, and all the other things that fill our minds at 3 a.m.
And then there is tatting.
A shuttle, a thread, a few knots, and suddenly the world becomes a little quieter.
When I sit down to make lace, I am not only creating something beautiful. I am also giving my mind a chance to slow down. My hands know what to do. My thoughts stop running in circles. The rhythm of the knots helps me focus on one thing instead of twenty.
Interestingly, research suggests that crafts such as knitting, crochet and other fibre arts can have a positive effect on wellbeing and may help reduce stress and anxiety. Some studies have found that many people use these crafts as a way to support their mental health and emotional wellbeing.
If you enjoy reading research, here are a few interesting sources:
International study on crochet and wellbeing
The therapeutic benefits of knitting and crochet
Mental health benefits of knitting
But I think there is something else that helps.
Humour.
When crafters wear a shirt saying “because murder is wrong”, nobody is promoting violence. We are laughing at our own frustrations. We are admitting that life is not always easy and choosing to respond with creativity, thread and a sense of humour.
And then there is the community.
One of the things I love most about tatting is meeting people who understand why we get excited about a perfectly closed ring, a new thread colour, or finally mastering a tricky technique. We learn from each other, encourage each other, and sometimes laugh together when a project goes completely wrong.
That connection matters.
If you would like more tatting inspiration, tutorials and stories from the world of lace, I invite you to explore other articles on the Tatting Moments Blog.
For many people, tatting for mental health is not really about lace. It is about finding a moment of calm in a busy world.
Will tatting solve every problem?
Probably not.
Will it make some days a little calmer, a little happier, and a lot more beautiful?
I think so.
So yes.
Tatting because murder is wrong 🙂
