Welcome to the Why I Knit podcast! My name is Dr Mia Hobbs and I am a Clinical Psychologist who is passionate about the mental health benefits of knitting.
Each episode of the podcast I interview a different knitter about why they knit and the (k)nitty gritty of how it impacts their mental well-being.
I have an inspiring and diverse range of knitters lined up who have generously shared their stories with me.
Find out more about the therapeutic benefits of knitting at my website and find our webinars, workshops and blogs at www.creativerestoration.org or follow me on Instagram @knittingistherapeutic
Latest episodes
Showing 20 · updated from the feed
The human stories of knitting with Salina Jane
#11 trending · Crafts
Salina Jane is an artist and knitter who brilliantly captures the feelings many of us have about our knitting in her art work. It was a pleasure to speak to Salina about
Sep 23 1 h 17 min
Knitting as creative collaboration with Kitey The Yarn Whisperer
#17 trending · Crafts
This week I am delighted to be joined by yarn dyer and yarn shop owner Kitey, who is also known as The Yarn Whisperer. Kitey speaks about his journey from crochet to knit
Sep 16 1 h 00 min
Knitting for the ups and the downs with Lydia of Weku Yarn
Series 10 returns for a series of interviews exploring why we knit and how knitting benefits our mental health. This week I am joined by Lydia who is the Co-founder of We
Sep 9 54 min
An exciting announcement...
Series 10 is on the way, and with it a new and exciting development! We have created a Patreon Community and we'd love you to join us there - the perks for supporting the
Sep 2 2 min
Knitting for addiction recovery - Journal club
In this Journal Club episode Dr Paula Redmond joins me to discuss a journal article about using knitting in a center for drug and alcohol rehabilitation. This is a narrat
Aug 5 47 min
Knitting for depression and low mood - a bonus relisten
This week Dr Paula Redmond joins me to discuss how knitting can help with depression and low mood. We've chosen three episodes of the podcast in which my guests have disc
Jul 1 40 min
Journal Club - Knitting and Eating Disorders
This week Paula and I discuss the journal article investigating whether knitting can reduce anxious thoughts in people diagnosed with anorexia nervosa.
Find the article
Jun 17 37 min
Book Club - Art Cure and Your Brain on Art
In this bonus book club episode Paula joins me to discuss two great books about art, health and well-being. Both books take a deep dive into the research into how the art
May 20 49 min
Journal Club - Can knitting reduce blood pressure?
For this journal club episode we discuss the commonly made claim that knitting can reduce blood pressure. We discuss the origins of this claim in the research and look at
Apr 22 34 min
Bonus Episode - Knitting and ADHD
This is our first bonus relisten episode where Paula and I choose 3 episodes on a theme and relisten to them and give our reflections.
This month we are listening to 3 e
Feb 25 48 min
Journal Club - Can knitting improve attention?
This week Paula and I discuss a research paper about knitting and attention in children.
Sonnier F, Lussiana E and Gueraud S (2023) Boosting inhibition control process b
Feb 18 40 min
Knitting to focus on the present moment with Simon of Veteran Knitter
For the final episode of series 9 I am joined by Simon, also known as Veteran Knitter and one of the contestants from Game of Wool, the knitting and crochet based TV show
Feb 11 42 min
Knitting to feel like myself again with Annah of Needle and Feather
This week I am delighted to be joined by Annah of Needle and Feather. Annah is a designer of colourwork knitting designs often inspired by nature and if you follow me on
Feb 4 54 min
Knitting for Self-Reflection with Nicole Nehrig
Clinical Psychologist and author Nicole Nehrig joins me this week to discuss her own relationship with knitting and how this lead to writing the book 'With Her Own Hands:
Jan 28 57 min
ADHD, dopamine and flow with Theodora Burrow
Joining me this week on the podcast is designer Theodora Burrow.
Theodora is a knit and crochet designer who taught herself to knit and crochet from books, way before th
Jan 21 54 min
Knitting to find pause with Maya from Knit With Attitude
Maya is the owner of Knit With Attitude, one of the longest running yarn shops in London. She speaks about using knitting as a strategy to manage her own health difficult
Jan 14 35 min
Knitting to channel anxiety with Lauren Aston
Series 9 kicks of with a conversation with Lauren Aston, the founder of Lauren Aston Designs. I first came across Lauren when looking up some of Claudia Winkleman's excel
Jan 7 1 h 00 min
Bonus episode - Knitting and Creative Restoration in 2025
For our last episode of 2025, Paula and Mia reflect on their own knitting and craft projects over the past year, and the ways in which they have used knitting as part of
Dec 17 2025 48 min
Book Club Episode - Wintering by Katherine May
For this bonus book club episode we have read the brilliant bestselling book 'Wintering' by Katherine May and speak about how it links to burnout. Wintering takes us thro
Nov 12 2025 38 min
Bonus episode - Knitting for burnout prevention with Dr Paula Redmond
For this bonus episode I am joined by Dr Paula Redmond who specialises in working with health professionals experiencing burnout.
Paula speaks about her own journey into
Oct 29 2025 27 min
Chart trend
Position in the Crafts chart (US), last 90 days.
#1#30#58JunJulAugSep
#5
all-time peak
36
days in the top 10 since Nov 2024
Chart positions
Where Why I Knit ranks today in each Apple Podcasts chart (US, Sep 24, 2026).
A curated, balanced selection of Apple Podcasts reviews.
I just started listing to this podcast because I knit and a designer I follow was a guest. I have adhd and so many of the things they talked about knitting and neurodivergence were resonating with me. It’s fun to hear the stories of the guests and see how it relates to them.
Charlie127127 · Mar 2026
I love the conversations that take place in this podcast. Every one I’ve listened to so far has gently guided me to some issue in my own life & inspired some gentle action I can take. It also reminds me that the process of knitting can be grounding and soothing. It’s not just a hobby, it’s self-care.
CZizzles · Jan 2026
Amazing to find a podcast that sheds light on how mental health and knitting /crochet interact in such a beautiful way.
a.a.go · Sep 2025
I’m so happy to have found this podcast. I love hearing all the different perspectives people bring to knitting. Knitting has been my lifeline through periods of great stress, and my faithful companion throughout my life. It’s rare that I don’t have my knitting with me. I even keep a “go-bag” with a sock project in it to be ready for any emergency.
Each guest uses knitting as a different type of therapy and approaches it from a different angle. I love hearing them, expanding my views and appreciation of knitting!
Spinberry · Mar 2023
We strive to present a balanced view by showing a diverse range of reviews from Apple Podcasts.
Here you find the Apple Podcasts chart positions of Why I Knit, its latest episodes to listen to directly, and reviews from listeners. Rankings are updated daily for the United States.
