Anyone Here Use Knitting To Help Cope With Celiac And Gluten Sensitivities?

[Lynayah]

Do you knit to help cope with a gluten-free lifestyle?

[mommida]

I just started knitting when I was having problems with the gall bladder that came out in February.

[K8ling]

I don't know how to but I want to learn.

[sb2178]

Some, but I'm actually a spinner. So I make the pretty yarn...

[AvatarOfChaos]

I don't knit specifically to help me cope with gluten-free - I'm fairly at ease with gluten-free. But I am also an avid knitter

[Lesx2]

Ditto to Avatars reply above for me

[Lynayah]

Some, but I'm actually a spinner. So I make the pretty yarn...

Oooooh, I'm envious! I want to learn to spin eventually. Do you use a wheel?

Has spinning helped you cope with living a gluten-free lifestyle?

[Lynayah]

I don't knit specifically to help me cope with gluten-free - I'm fairly at ease with gluten-free. But I am also an avid knitter

Because I took up knitting after being diagnosed, I can definitely say it helped me cope with going gluten free.

Before being diagnosed, I could eat anything and everything (or so I thought). I had lost over 100 pounds (not easy, I'm not one of those skinny gluten free gals) and learned to keep it off.

I'm super, super sensitive and found I did best by sticking to meat, fruit, vegetables and certified gluten free whole grains.

I'm a foodie, and like so many others here, my family members are foodies, too. EVERYTHING revolved around food.

It was a real challenge for me to learn not to feel sorry for myself at first. I was cranky, too, with lots of negativity.

Knitting helped me so much. It relaxed me, and it also gave me something to do at family gatherings while everyone ate. Even though I could eat gluten free foods, I needed a diversion to keep food from being the most important thing in my life, especially since I'd gained 15 pounds during my gluten challenge. Augh!

I told myself that my knitting time also has to be my positive time -- that is, while I knit, I was allowed to think only positive thoughts. This was difficult at first, but I kept at it, and eventually the act of knitting became an almost immediate way for me to enter into positivity.

They say that the repetitive motion of it helps produce the same brainwaves as meditation does.

For me, it works . . . except for the times when I want to throw the project out the window because I've dropped a gazillion stitches that day!

[kareng]

I told myself that my knitting time also has to be my positive time -- that is, while I knit, I was allowed to think only positive thoughts. This was difficult at first, but I kept at it, and eventually the act of knitting became an almost immediate way for me to enter into positivity.

They say that the repetitive motion of it helps produce the same brainwaves as meditation does.

I do that when I'm walking the dog. Only positive thoughts. If I can't think of happy stuff, I make up a story or count how many people have pink flowers or Halloween decorations, etc. After a few minutes, the bad stuff is gone.

[SueQueBlue]

I don't knit anymore (hurts my hands), but I cross-stitch. I have been an avid stitcher for several years now, and found even before I was diagnosed, it is very theraputic. The repeative motion allows my mind to wander, and it is sort of like meditating.

[Lynayah]

I do that when I'm walking the dog. Only positive thoughts. If I can't think of happy stuff, I make up a story or count how many people have pink flowers or Halloween decorations, etc. After a few minutes, the bad stuff is gone.

It's so cool how well it works. At first it was a challenge -- it is amazing how easily negative thoughts can become a habit.

[BethJ]

I never thought about it but it probably is good for relieving stress. I started crocheting after having broken my right wrist. I had a lot of pain and discomfort so the crochet "rehab" worked miracles. The wrist has long healed but I'm still crocheting.

I never had much anxiety with the gluten-free lifestyle other than tears of joy when I found a great new gluten-free product in the store.

[sb2178]

No, I've been spinning since I was pretty small (mom's a weaver and branches out to other fiber jazz some). I have a double treadle Schacht and a handful of spindles. Which is use varies... travel is always a spindle, but I use them at home some too.

You should learn! Ghandhi was right that the world would be a better place if we all spun daily. AND, you can make really fun/weird/playful yarns just like you want for that _____ you're going to knit/crochet/etc.

[Lynayah]

Anyone here going to any of the Stitches conferences this year?

I am going to Chicago and Hartford, and I'm hoping it will be easy to find gluten free food.

Chicago will be okay. I live close to Chicago, will drive and can pack my own food.

Hartford, I'm flying and I've never been there.

[Lynayah]

No, I've been spinning since I was pretty small (mom's a weaver and branches out to other fiber jazz some). I have a double treadle Schacht and a handful of spindles. Which is use varies... travel is always a spindle, but I use them at home some too.

You should learn! Ghandhi was right that the world would be a better place if we all spun daily. AND, you can make really fun/weird/playful yarns just like you want for that _____ you're going to knit/crochet/etc.

Thank you for your post. I definitely want to learn someday. I love your reference to Ghandhi. Thank you -- your reference is a new piece of information for me. I agree, and I also think the world would be a better place if we all knit each day.

There's a real connection between knitting and inner peace. It's been shown that knitting produces the same brain waves as meditation. For me, it has made me a MUCH better person. Knitting has been a heaven-sent blessing.

[Mack the Knife]

Well, I can't say that it has helped at all with coping with a gluten free lifestyle... but I do love to knit!

I have started up a stitch 'n b*tch group in my local area and - as the organiser - I damn well make sure that we meet at a cafe that has lots of gluten free options. I need my gluten free cake when I knit.

[quincy]

Well, I can't say that it has helped at all with coping with a gluten free lifestyle... but I do love to knit!

I have started up a stitch 'n b*tch group in my local area and - as the organiser - I damn well make sure that we meet at a cafe that has lots of gluten free options. I need my gluten free cake when I knit.

this is amazing. when I first was diagnosed and my anxiety was sky high, I just came up with the idea that I should learn to knit to keep my mind in a certain state. someone at my work says she will teach me. I have the needles and yarn sittin in my car for several months now.... haha. maybe its time to put them to use... Thanks!!

[Lynayah]

Well, I can't say that it has helped at all with coping with a gluten free lifestyle... but I do love to knit!

I have started up a stitch 'n b*tch group in my local area and - as the organiser - I damn well make sure that we meet at a cafe that has lots of gluten free options. I need my gluten free cake when I knit.

You rock! I hope you'll post here how the group goes. Please let me know. I have a great interest in those wonderful S&B groups. It sounds great!

[Lynayah]

this is amazing. when I first was diagnosed and my anxiety was sky high, I just came up with the idea that I should learn to knit to keep my mind in a certain state. someone at my work says she will teach me. I have the needles and yarn sittin in my car for several months now.... haha. maybe its time to put them to use... Thanks!!

Knitting will help you, I promise, promise, promise!

There are also some outstanding DVDs out there about how to knit -- if you want more info, let me know, but if I were you, I'd go with the person I know and then expand from there.

Everythihg happens for a reason. You are being drawn to knitting for a reason.

Do it! It will change your mind and change your life. If you want more information on the outstanding knitting community out there, let me know this as well.

Knitters are an exceptionally caring group of people. It's "a whole new world" out there for people who knit -- as corny as it sounds, it really IS a magic carpet ride.

[Lynayah]

I've been getting brave and knitting at casual parties -- the ones where there's tons of food everywhere, all glutened. It really helps keep me from feeling sorry for myself.

[Lynayah]

If you suffer from arthritis yet want to knit, I found an interesting video on youtube.com today. Search under