Knitting and Sports: the Trend of Knitting and Crocheting Among Athletes

Knitting and Sports? Yes, it is! In recent years, the trend of knitting and crocheting has made its way into the world of athletes and sports enthusiasts.

This unexpected but intriguing combination challenges the typical image of athletes solely focused on physical training and competitions. However, knitting and crocheting are proving to be valuable complementary activities for the well-being and performance of sportspeople.

Knitting and Sports: The Benefits for Athletes

Traditionally associated with an older and often female audience, knitting and crocheting are experiencing a renaissance in the slow fashion world. They stand in contrast to mass production and standardized goods, offering a way to express creativity through unique, personalized pieces.

But the success of these manual arts extends beyond fashion and style. We’ve identified the top five benefits of knitting, highlighting how it’s increasingly associated with relaxing activities like yoga. 

These aspects have also piqued the interest of athletes looking for ways to relax and alleviate stress outside of training hours. Athletes, who often face intense workloads and high stress levels, find in these crafts an effective method to calm their minds and improve concentration.

Knitting before competitions helps athletes create an atmosphere of calm and focus, essential for tackling sports challenges. The concentration required for knitting distracts the mind from the pressures of competitive life. Additionally, the repetitive and rhythmic movements of knitting stimulate the release of serotonin, a neurotransmitter that promotes well-being and tranquility.

This mental calmness is crucial for athletes, as it allows them to approach competitions with a clear and relaxed mind, thereby enhancing their performance and mental resilience.

Knitting and Sports: From Tom Daley to the Finnish Snowboarding Team

Athletes from all over the world are adopting knitting and crocheting as methods to manage stress and pressure before competitions.

One of the most notable examples of this trend is Tom Daley, the British Olympic diver who captured media attention not only for his athletic achievements but also for knitting between events during the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

Daley has stated that knitting helps him stay calm and focused, allowing him to take his mind off the pressures of competition. His love for knitting has not only provided him with a new hobby (he even created an Instagram account dedicated to his creations) but has also inspired thousands of people worldwide to rediscover the benefits of this creative activity.

The Finnish snowboarding team also embraced this trend during the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang. Finnish athletes were seen knitting during their breaks, using it as a method to relieve anxiety and improve concentration. The team’s coach, Antti Koskinen, encouraged this practice, recognizing its benefits for the mental health of his athletes.

Give It a Try!

Whether you’re an athlete or just someone looking for a new way to relax and focus, you can join in on this trend and take on this new “sport” yourself. For a fun and simple project, try crocheting the “Olympic Rings” – the famous five rings of the Olympic flag in crochet form!

This project is designed for those who have never picked up a crochet hook, so don’t worry if you’re a beginner in the “game” of crochet.

Download the Olympic Rings pattern, gather your crochet hook and yarn, and start your “training” today!

In no time, you’ll have crafted a decoration to celebrate the Olympic spirit with your own hands and, who knows, maybe even discovered a new passion!

Celebrate and share your first creative victory with us on  Instagram, by tagging @bettaknit and using the hashtag #bettaknit!