Knitting and crocheting, or yarn crafting as a whole, have always had the reputation of being what old ladies do when they are home all day. What people don’t know it has a number of benefits for young people – not just women – that stretch past just being a hobby. Many studies have been done that prove that it has mental and physical benefits for every type of person.

1. It keeps the brain sharp.

Although it does help older people with keeping their brain sharp over a longer period of time, it can also help with the development of the brain for younger women. It also enhances thinking skills and improves your memory. Especially when you are in college, keeping your brain sharp in a way that isn’t straining your memory is important.

2. It prevents anxiety, depression, and stress.

Yarn crafting is overall very relaxing. It gives your brain something mindless to do, and the act of yarn crafting or the repetition of any craft releases serotonin in your brain, which is a natural anti-depressant. It also helps with anxiety because it keeps your hands busy as well as your mind focused on something other than what you may be anxious about. Along the same line with helping with depression, the repetition that crafts, especially those involving yarn give, will distract anyone from their problems. As a college student, our lives consist of a lot of stress. Yarn crafts are a way to relieve that stress in a productive way.

3. You get to actually make things.

Seriously though, who wouldn’t want to be able to make their own scarf, hat, headband, etc.? Living in Minnesota as a broke college student, it is so much cheaper to make your own winter wear. Plus, yarn crafting is something that you can do when you are watching Netflix that is very relaxing and helps with your mental state.

4. It is not just for women.

All of these above benefits are not just for women. Although it has always been known as a feminine thing to do, it is the 21^st century and it should not be emasculating in any way. Try it out, guys; you may like it more than you ever thought you would.

5. It prepares you for the future.

Yes, it is beneficial for college student while they are in college to have the ability to do yarn crafts, but it's also good to learn when you are younger so that when you get to a time in your life when you want to have children or your friends start having children, you have an easy homemade gift that you can make for them. I learned how to crochet when my sisters began having kids, and it is a benefit that I can continue as my sisters have more kids and as my friends have kids as well.

If you decide that you want to take up yarn crafting, don’t be afraid to just dive right into it. Be prepared for a little bit of disappointment and frustration as you test your abilities, but keep trying and you will get it. Sometimes it takes more time for some people, don’t give up. It’s like riding a bike, once you learn, it doesn’t take long to pick it up again.