Doll Can Create

Finding Calm: How Spinning & Knitting Help My Anxiety

When life feels overwhelming, I reach for my fiber. The rhythm, the movement, the texture—these are the things that bring me back to myself. Spinning and knitting have become more than just hobbies for me; they are lifelines, gentle anchors that steady me when my thoughts start to spiral.

I can always tell when my anxiety is creeping in. It starts with staying up too late, doom-scrolling through news headlines, or lying in bed as my mind races through worries—especially about my family. My heart beats faster, and suddenly, the world feels a little too big, a little too out of control. I need something steady to hold onto.

That’s when I sit down at my spinning wheel. I place my foot on the treadle, letting the motion slow my thoughts. My hands draft the fibre, watching as it twists into yarn, transforming from something loose and chaotic into something whole. Also picking up my spindle and a small amount of floof works well. It’s a small act of control in a world that often feels uncontrollable. The wheel hums, the fibre moves through my fingers, and with each turn, I feel a little more grounded.

Knitting offers me the same comfort. The repetitive motion of each stitch feels like breathing—it moves in, it moves out. I don’t have to think too hard; I just follow the rhythm, letting my hands lead the way. Each row is a prayer, each stitch a step toward calm. There’s something about soft wool, warm colors, and familiar patterns that soothes me when words fail.

Over time, I’ve learned that my anxiety doesn’t just disappear, but I can meet it with tools—tools that bring me back to the present, that remind me I’m okay. A spindle, a pair of needles, a skein of wool. Simple things, but powerful in their quiet way.

Anxiety still comes, but now I know I’m not powerless against it. I have my fiber. I have my stitches. I have my breath and I have my faith.

What helps you find calm when life feels overwhelming? Maybe it’s fibre, or maybe it’s something else. But I think we all need a thread to hold onto.

Till next time,

Doll