We are living through difficult times – as Americans, as Michiganders, as human beings. At such moments, certain values and practices become more important – among them, community, varieties of faith, acts of kindness, families (biological and otherwise), and creative expression.
These stress-relieving practices and structures have attracted the attention of physicians and other scientists. I have been following medical and scientific research on the benefits of knitting and crochet with particular interest – though much the same is true of weaving and spinning. If you haven’t done so, Google “knitting and health” or “knitting and medicine.” The effects are simply astounding. Here is one example from Henry Ford Health: The Benefits of Knitting and Crocheting.
I guess we have always known that working with our hands, in our lap or at arm’s length, makes us feel better. But now there’s proof. The MRI is indistinguishable from Zen meditation. Brain chemistry changes. Respiration and heartbeat regularize. We live a bit longer and happier.
So, at Artisan Knitworks, we are looking for ways to get through hard times together. We can fight back by encouraging new neural pathways! This spring and summer, look to our webpage and newsletter for events, classes, news of festivals and expos, and Larry’s ongoing, photographic celebration of nature and small-town life. We plan to bring some of his most engaging images into the shop – so look for them!
We also encourage you to pick up your handwork – any kind – and sit with us for an hour or two or six, away from worries and the internet. We’ll try to provide snacks. You can talk or say nothing. It’s your chair, your table.
If you have a craft group of less than, say, 15, consider a field trip or a periodic, fixed group meeting in the shop. The table holds 11 or 12, the small seating area another 4 or 5. We don’t charge for groups. You can work on whatever you wish – it’s all good. You can bring well-behaved service dogs. And during the visit, everyone gets 10% off full-priced stuff. Just call a day in advance to reserve the time.
Also, look for these new opportunities to rest, recharge, and make new friends:
- We are initiating Brown-Bag Workshops – 11 to 1 or 1:30 – on specific topics. Some of them are knit-alongs or crochet-alongs (view classes). Fees are modest – though, for these events, we hope you will use our beautiful yarns (again, 10% off). Come early – we will have 15% coupons for use at Zou Zou’s on the corner for lunch or drinks!
- Every Wednesday at 5:00, I will morph into The Knit-Crochet Doc (KCD for short). Bring problems. These aren’t classes – they’re “SOS” sessions. A dropped stitch. An impossible stitch pattern. A bad pattern. The wrong yarn or tools. No charge. If a group forms, we can learn how to fix problems together.
- On September 12-14, plan to meet the fabulous Rick Mondragon for an entire weekend of unique, high-quality workshops. Rick is one of the best knitters (and crocheters and tailors) in the world, ex-editor of Knitters Magazine, one of three people I turn to for design help, and a truly wonderful human being. Specifics will be posted soon. Don’t miss this one.
- Look for new classes.
Again: We are here to relieve stress, replace frowns with smiles, and generally support and nurture everyone. We notice and appreciate your friendship.
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