It’s no longer just nannas who knit, the hobby craft is making a comeback with everyone from celebrities to an Olympian and now Narrabri High School students are embracing the trend too.
“My sister taught me, we call ourselves ‘old ladies’,” said Year 10 student Mikayla Smetanin.
“We sit around the fire and could crochet all day.”
Mikayla is one of a group of students who was giving the new NHS knitting club a spin when The Courier dropped by for a yarn at lunchtime earlier this term, only to hear the clicking and clacking of needles coming from one of the classrooms.
“It’s very much a mindful activity,” said maths teacher Krystal Li, who started the NHS knitting club.
“It’s about promoting wellbeing, and I know for some students, they might not feel as comfortable out in the playground, and they wanted to start this club and be part of it, and they feel proud to be part of it.
“Everyone seems happy, and they’ve had a good time.”
COVID-19 restrictions resulted in the revival and rise of arts, crafts and old-school hobbies, banishing the stereotypical idea that grandmas in rocking chairs are the only people who knit.
Celebrities such as Demi Lovato, Ryan Gosling, Julia Roberts and Sarah Jessica Parker are all reportedly quite partial to picking up a pair of needles and ball of wool. And the positive mental health benefits of the craft were put in the spotlight at the 2021 Olympics when British diver and gold medallist Tom Daley was pictured knitting a jumper in the stands and said ‘all things stitching’ helped him stay calm and relieved stress.
The popular pastime is proving to be a great relaxation tool amongst younger generations, with the repetitive task working both physical and cognitive skills as knitters complete a pattern or enjoy a natter at the NHS club.
As well as producing some beautifully knitted goods, Mikayla said the hobby was a great way to disconnect from technology.
“I’m not on my phone, that’s one of the reasons I crochet,” she said.
To order photos from this page click here
