In a world that often rushes ahead of us, filled with noise, distraction, and stress, it’s easy to forget that peace is something we can create — from within. The third episode of our Magnifying World Peace series invites you into a surprisingly powerful practice for cultivating inner calm and emotional balance: mindful crochet.

For Marian Egan, Michelle’s partner in this Magnifying Peace Project, crochet isn’t just a hobby — it’s a form of moving meditation. As the yarn glides through her fingers and each stitch forms a rhythm, she find herself returning to stillness. The repetitive motion gently calms her nervous system, quiets her thoughts, and reconnects her with her breath. It is a way of weaving peace through the chaos of everyday life.

Craft as Meditation

When we engage in a creative process like crochet, knitting, or weaving, we activate more than just our hands. We step into an embodied mindfulness practice — one where movement and breath are in harmony. The rhythmic motion of stitching allows the mind to settle and the body to relax, similar to practices like Tai Chi or walking meditation. The hands become portals to presence, and through them, we craft not just garments or blankets, but a softer, more regulated inner world.

These simple, repetitive actions create what neuroscientists refer to as a flow state — a neurological sweet spot where time slows down and the mind becomes absorbed in the moment. In this space, we are no longer dwelling on the past or worrying about the future. We are simply here, now.

Science Behind the Stitch

You don’t have to take our word for it — science backs the healing power of crafts. A 2013 survey by the British Journal of Occupational Therapy found that over 81% of respondents with depression reported feeling happier after knitting. The study noted improvements in cognitive function, increased feelings of relaxation, and reduced stress.

Another study published in the Journal of Neuropsychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences found that engaging in crafts like knitting or crocheting reduced the risk of cognitive impairment by 30-50% in older adults. These findings highlight what many of us intuitively know: that the act of making with our hands can nourish our minds, uplift our spirits, and protect our long-term mental wellbeing.

A Practice of Peace and Healing

In the face of global unrest and personal challenges, we need tools that empower us to stay centered and grounded. Crafting becomes more than a pastime — it is a peace practice, a way to self-soothe, reflect, and reset. As we stitch row after row, we are reminded of the power of slow, the wisdom of quiet, and the beauty of being.

This is how we magnify peace — from the inside out.

Join the Movement

💬 What practice brings you back to peace? Whether it’s crochet, baking, music, or walking in nature, your peaceful presence matters. We’d love to hear your story.

If this post resonates, please:
🌀 Share it with someone who could use a little calm
🧶 Watch and subscribe to the Magnifying World Peace YouTube series
❤️ Comment on the video and let us know what brings peace to your hands and heart

Together, we stitch a more peaceful world — one breath, one moment, one intention at a time.

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Watch Episode 3: “Mindful Crochet – Meditation Through the Hands” now on YouTube and help us share this peace-filled message with more hearts and homes.

Did you miss Episode 1: “Painting Peace” by Marian Egan? Or, Episode 2: “I am Comfortable with Peace” by Dr Michelle Greenwell, CIH? Be sure to check out these episodes too!

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Are you looking for Tai Chi to help you with your movement meditation? Be sure to visit the shop at the Greenwell Center to sign up for Dr Michelle’s online classes. You can find the local in-person classes, on Cape Breton Island, on the calendar. And, if you live in the Okanagan Valley of British Columbia, consider the classes offered by Wine Country Tai Chi Society in several locations, including West Kelowna and Peachland.