[Dementia Prevention] Introducing Easy Knitting!
Knitting is effective for preventing dementia.
When you knit, various brain functions are activated, which can slow the progression of dementia.
Because knitting involves using your hands, it stimulates the brain’s motor and sensory areas.
Also, working while looking at a knitting pattern helps train cognitive abilities such as concentration and memory.
Furthermore, the sense of accomplishment you feel when you finish a piece brings joy to the brain and helps relieve stress.
The projects we’re introducing this time are all easy enough for beginners.
By all means, consider adopting knitting as a new hobby for older adults.
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[Dementia Prevention] Introducing Simple Knitting! (11–20)
coin purse
Loose change can sometimes make your wallet bulky.
There are times when you just want to take out coins for a quick purchase, right? Let’s make a coin purse that’s perfect for those moments by using crochet.
You can use warm, cozy yarn or a smooth, fabric-like yarn—either works.
Depending on the yarn material, it could be useful all year round.
You can also show personality, especially for seniors, by adding embellishments like embroidery or buttons as you like.
Besides a coin case, why not try making different sizes as well? It’s a project that would be great for personal use and would also make a delightful gift for grandchildren and others.
ribbon
What do you do with leftover, odd-length yarn from knitting? This time, I’ll introduce a ribbon you can make even with small remnants.
Some care facilities incorporate knitting because it’s expected to help stimulate the brain.
However, you often end up with yarn in awkward lengths after finishing a project.
Let’s use a crochet hook to turn those leftovers into a ribbon.
Crochet two rectangular strips, layer them to form a ribbon shape, and tie the center with yarn.
If you shape the lower piece into a slight chevron, it will look more like a ribbon.
You can attach it to a wreath or a bag—there are many ways to enjoy this project depending on your ideas.
A scarf woven from milk cartons
With an empty milk carton and some disposable chopsticks, you can make a knitted scarf.
Cut several chopsticks in half and attach them to the milk carton.
Now you’ve got a simple loom.
You can also use thin black bobby pins instead of chopsticks, but the chopsticks are easier to knit with.
By threading the yarn through the chopsticks in sequence, you can knit, so even young children can make a project.
As the knitting progresses and the scarf grows longer and longer, kids will probably get excited watching it.
When you’re finished, add yarn pom-poms to complete a cute scarf.
A flower made with a fork and yarn
We’re introducing a flower craft you can make using just a fork and yarn.
Wrap the yarn around the tines of the fork 12 times, holding it lightly with your fingers to keep it in place.
When you’re done wrapping, leave a longer tail and cut the yarn, then bring it to the back and thread it through from top and bottom.
Repeat this inward, tightening and shaping as you go—this is the key step.
Cut at two points, remove the bundle from the fork, and fan the yarn out into a circle to form a fluffy flower.
Finally, tie a pearl at the center to add a touch of elegance and create a piece with a nice accent.
It’s easy to make, and moving your fingers can help stimulate the brain, so it’s a recommended craft for older adults.
A trivet woven from toilet paper rolls
A simple-to-make trivet woven using toilet paper rolls has a warm, original feel.
Prepare the materials: disposable chopsticks, toilet paper rolls, cellophane tape, yarn, and a needle.
First, make the base for weaving the trivet using the toilet paper rolls.
Cut the chopsticks in half and tape them vertically around the toilet paper roll, spacing them evenly.
Once that’s ready, string the yarn in an alternating pattern to form the base.
Next, gently loop the yarn over the chopsticks so it sits on top; the key is to drape the yarn lightly and loosely.
Hook the yarn onto the needle and weave around in circles until it forms the shape of a trivet, and you’re done.
Using colorful yarn will give you a bright, cheerful trivet.
Woven ring bag made from cardboard
You can make a genuine hemp bag using a simple homemade loom.
Cut slits into both ends of a piece of cardboard and thread the hemp twine through.
Pass a stick wound with hemp through both the front and back sides, weaving as if using a loom.
This way, you can create a seamless, tubular piece.
Once you finish weaving, cut it free from the cardboard and tie the yarn.
Attach your preferred handles and a base for the bag, and your lovely hemp bag is complete.
It’s an easy method, but the natural finish will elevate your style when you carry this bag.
[Dementia Prevention] Introducing Simple Knitting! (21–30)
Finger-knitted ribbon
This is a fun project you can make using only your fingers, without any tools.
Wrap yarn around one finger and use your other hand to move the yarn along.
Because it requires nimble movements of your hands and fingers, it can also be good brain training.
The hands and fingers are closely connected to the brain, and moving them is said to stimulate it.
This knitting method is recommended for children and older adults as well.
When the knitted yarn starts to gather around the middle finger, it’s time to finish off the yarn.
Tie what you’ve made into the shape of a bow, and you’ll have an adorable ribbon.
You can also enjoy customizing it, like attaching the ribbon to a bag.