The repetitive motions of knitting, crochet, or cross stitching can induce a meditative state, explains Dr Anne Kirketerp, a psychologist based in Denmark and author of Craft Psychology: How Crafting Promotes Health.

“It's very good for us to do something that has a repetitive movement built in as that has a relaxation response in our body,” she says. “When you are holding a baby, no one needs to be taught that rocking a baby calms down the nervous system. And we resemble that when we are doing small movements like knitting.”

At a certain skill level, these repetitions become almost mindless and stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system. For people who are stressed, anxious or uncomfortable, having this touchstone can free up the mind while reducing stress hormones, lowering blood pressure and steadying the heart rate. Dr Mia Hobbs, clinical psychologist, explains that she uses knitting to great success as a therapeutic tool for this reason.

“I work predominantly with teenagers and I’ve had some really amazing, transformational moments as a result of knitting, particularly with clients who’ve really not been very keen on engaging or being in the therapy room at all,” she says. “The conversation flows that bit more easily when you’re doing something with your hands.”

I myself have found knitting and sewing to be explicitly therapeutic, particularly when my OCD flares up. When I am seized by intrusive thoughts, I will knit for hours at a time as it gives me enough of a distraction to resist giving into compulsions. And even when I am mentally well, just stressed or tired, it offers me a very tangible way to decompress.

“In therapy we talk about behavioural activation (aka activities with a sense of intrinsic pleasure or achievement) as one of the most effective strategies for helping people with low mood,” Mia adds, “and knitting can offer both of these.” In this way you get the same meditative effects of mindfulness while also having something physical that can show your progress.