Getting Hooked; Crocheting and ADHD

By Anna Rudy on April 22, 2024 • ( Leave a comment )

Last Christmas, I was gifted a beginner’s crochet kit, which came with a step-by-step video tutorial on how to crochet an axolotl amigurumi, a small stuffed toy made of yarn. I expected to try, fail, and abandon the project less than halfway through; the usual result when I take on any kind of project or craft. I didn’t. The ear frills were mangled, the mouth was horribly crooked, and the belly had obvious strands of yarn attaching it onto the body. Yet, I couldn’t wait to crochet my next creature. As someone who has ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) and is an extreme perfectionist, I was amazed that this small, misshapen creature had managed to bypass all my usual tendencies, resulting in a finished product that I was happy with despite its flaws. But why did crocheting captivate me in a way that drawing, sewing, painting, and most other activities have failed to do?

As it turns out, I’m not alone; countless individuals with ADHD have written about how they have fallen in love with crocheting and are amazed by its ability to hold their attention. Business Insider wrote in 2018 that “knitting can be a healthy coping mechanism for those who struggle with everything from anxiety to ADHD to PTSD.” More recently, Arizona State’s newspaper, The State Press, reported on how several students are embracing crochet, with one student stating that the activity helped them cope with their ADHD. Crocheting is easy to do in short breaks, as it follows a linear and straightforward pattern that can be stopped and started again at almost any point. This is perfect for busy college students, or for those with ADHD who quickly lose interest in a task. Furthermore, small projects like amigurumi are quick to make, providing the positive reinforcement of completing something without requiring a major time investment. Finally, crochet involves simple, repetitive stitches and a variety of unique stitches and techniques, meaning new projects are likely to have familiar aspects and unfamiliar ones.

Research on the benefits of crocheting aligns with this idea that it is helpful for those with ADHD. For instance, one study found that crocheting improves attention by acting as a “bottom-up, unconscious training of the alerting and orienting networks,” which are two of three neurophysiological systems that affect attention. The third attentional network, executive control, is enhanced through the top-down approach of meditation. Given that ADHD negatively affects both alerting and executive control, crocheting may provide unique benefits that meditation and other such activities do not confer. Of course, the benefits of crocheting are not limited to improving attention, nor are they unique to neurodivergent people. One survey with over 3,000 participants found that knitting can improve cognitive abilities, such as memory and problem-solving skills, as well as boosting happiness and relaxation.

Taking up a new hobby can be daunting, especially when you have a history of abandoning projects and leaving things unfinished. Still, it’s worth taking the risk, especially when there are so many potential benefits, both mentally and emotionally.