Page 124 - Guerin Media Ltd | Active Retirement Ireland Members Annual 2016
P. 124
YARN-BOMBERS AND KNITTING THERAPY SKILLS & HERITAGE
One stitch at a time..
Did you know that knitting has incredible health benefits? It makes people feel good in just about
every way. Recent research has revealed a wide range of ways in which knitting helps humans cope,
physically and mentally. Knitting helps people manage long-term physical pain. For those who are
depressed, knitting can motivate them to connect with the world. Knitting builds confidence and
self-esteem; it is a conversation starter, allowing people to interact politely without making eye
contact. “The relaxation response” that one gets with knitting leads to decreased heart rate, muscle
tension, and blood pressure. One study of over 2,000 seniors (65 years and older) found that “regular
participation in social or leisure activities such as traveling, odd jobs, knitting, or gardening were
associated with a lower risk of subsequent dementia.”
So it seems our grandmother’s already had the special For the yarn bombing, members of the group worked on
antidote for stress and isolation, at their fingertips! For various projects with specific street furniture, railings
generations Irish women have carried the craft of etc. in mind. Run somewhat like a war movement, the
weaving, knitting, crochet and embroidery. From Irish number one priority was keeping the date of the
linen to Aran jumpers, from the simple to the complex, bombing a secret! They also managed to grab a slot
there is a rich legacy of skill and beauty that is our on a popular UK crochet blog Attic24 and which led to
heritage. In these days of mass production and pieces being donated from all over the country.
convenience clothes, the welly warming wisdom of past Like a scene from “The Bridge over the River Kwai”,
generations can be found in some surprising places and knitters tip toed into town on the morning of the
with unexpected results. bombing, at 6a.m and true to their planning, the silent
Since the idea began with Magda Sayeg from Texas “bombing”, so soft and colorful, was fully complete by
who did the very first installation outside her own shop, 9am. The response was immediately fantastic.
yarn-bombing has been spreading all over the world “Businesses in the town experienced an increase in
from New York, to Paris, to Mountmellick, Co. Laois! The turnover due to people stopping as they passed through
Mountmellick “yarn-bombers” knit and stitch to craft and spending time in the town. There were no negative
a new joy in reclaiming public space – making a name comments or attitudes to it and it seemed to simply be
for the town while taking humble sheep’s wool to new accepted by all.”
levels of creative ingenuity. Not bad for a town whose -Mountmellick Yarn-bomber
heritage is based in textiles such as spinning, weaving, From a gang of four core people enthusiastic about the
cotton and of course,“Mountmellick Work” (the world idea of “yarn-bombing” a public meeting was organised
famous white on white embroidery).
124 Active Retirement Ireland www.activeirl.ie
One stitch at a time..
Did you know that knitting has incredible health benefits? It makes people feel good in just about
every way. Recent research has revealed a wide range of ways in which knitting helps humans cope,
physically and mentally. Knitting helps people manage long-term physical pain. For those who are
depressed, knitting can motivate them to connect with the world. Knitting builds confidence and
self-esteem; it is a conversation starter, allowing people to interact politely without making eye
contact. “The relaxation response” that one gets with knitting leads to decreased heart rate, muscle
tension, and blood pressure. One study of over 2,000 seniors (65 years and older) found that “regular
participation in social or leisure activities such as traveling, odd jobs, knitting, or gardening were
associated with a lower risk of subsequent dementia.”
So it seems our grandmother’s already had the special For the yarn bombing, members of the group worked on
antidote for stress and isolation, at their fingertips! For various projects with specific street furniture, railings
generations Irish women have carried the craft of etc. in mind. Run somewhat like a war movement, the
weaving, knitting, crochet and embroidery. From Irish number one priority was keeping the date of the
linen to Aran jumpers, from the simple to the complex, bombing a secret! They also managed to grab a slot
there is a rich legacy of skill and beauty that is our on a popular UK crochet blog Attic24 and which led to
heritage. In these days of mass production and pieces being donated from all over the country.
convenience clothes, the welly warming wisdom of past Like a scene from “The Bridge over the River Kwai”,
generations can be found in some surprising places and knitters tip toed into town on the morning of the
with unexpected results. bombing, at 6a.m and true to their planning, the silent
Since the idea began with Magda Sayeg from Texas “bombing”, so soft and colorful, was fully complete by
who did the very first installation outside her own shop, 9am. The response was immediately fantastic.
yarn-bombing has been spreading all over the world “Businesses in the town experienced an increase in
from New York, to Paris, to Mountmellick, Co. Laois! The turnover due to people stopping as they passed through
Mountmellick “yarn-bombers” knit and stitch to craft and spending time in the town. There were no negative
a new joy in reclaiming public space – making a name comments or attitudes to it and it seemed to simply be
for the town while taking humble sheep’s wool to new accepted by all.”
levels of creative ingenuity. Not bad for a town whose -Mountmellick Yarn-bomber
heritage is based in textiles such as spinning, weaving, From a gang of four core people enthusiastic about the
cotton and of course,“Mountmellick Work” (the world idea of “yarn-bombing” a public meeting was organised
famous white on white embroidery).
124 Active Retirement Ireland www.activeirl.ie
