The Healing Stitches: How Knitting Became My Comfort in Difficult Times

When I was about 30, I started losing my hearing in both my ears. No obvious explanation for it, but my otolaryngologist thought it was genetic. Not sure where that gene was hanging out in my family, as no one had experienced hearing loss at that age! Unfortunately, over time, my hearing worsened to the point where hearing aids were no longer helping. It was time to explore a cochlear implant.

The choice to undergo cochlear implant surgery was my mine alone. There are pros and cons, and also some controversy over choosing to get implanted, particularly in children. No option is better than another, but in my case, I grew up hearing and as I work in the healthcare field, I felt I needed to get the surgery in order to stay in my profession. And even more importantly (to me), was the psychological toll of my hearing loss.

The isolation that goes along with profound hearing loss is . . . well, just horrible. By the time I was implanted, I couldn't talk on the phone anymore because I couldn't hear. I couldn't hang out with friends because I couldn't hear. I would hide out when visiting family for big holiday get togethers because I just couldn't keep up with the conversations. Texting long conversations is not easy or time efficient and as time went on, I felt more and more alone.

Don't even get me started on being out in the real world. I often had to ask people to repeat themselves multiple times, and sometimes I STILL couldn't hear what they said. I got a lot of nasty looks from people; they often looked at me like I was stupid. It hurt. A lot. Still does, in fact. I was not very good about advocating for myself and explaining about my hearing loss. I just slunk away, feeling awful, and went home to hide in my house with my husband, cats, and books. Which isn't so bad since I love being at home with my husband, cats and books, but this degree of isolation was too much, even for me.

I became very depressed. But I kept telling myself I was fine. Losing my hearing was far from the worse thing that could happen! I felt like I couldn't complain or express my frustration and loneliness. So, the depression and isolation worsened. I knew I had to make a change, and once I met the criteria for a cochlear implant, I went for it.

I was implanted in my left ear in the fall of 2016. I'm so happy to say that the surgery was successful! It took some time, but my hearing is much better than it used to be. It's not perfect, or even normal, but the implant has given me my life back. My independence back. Although I still struggle in group situations, etc., I feel like I can go out and do things by myself. Previously, I was relying on my husband to act as an interpreter. He did so without complaint, but it wasn't fair to him to be in that position all the time. Plus, he couldn't be where I was all the time either!

Finding Healing in Yarn, Needles, and Knitting

So . . . how does knitting fit into this long, long story of mine? I took up knitting not too long after my surgery. A class was being offered at our local community college and I jumped right in. I was hooked. Get it, hooked? Ha, ha. I quickly became enamored of knitting, then discovered the world of yarn. The gorgeous, artistic, creative world of knitting and yarn. It's a beautiful place!

Knitting gave me something to do with my hands, something to focus on when my mind felt restless and overwhelmed. When I was struggling with the emotional toll of hearing loss, when I was exhausted from navigating a world that wasn’t always accommodating, knitting became my retreat. It was something I could control, something I could do without needing to hear anything at all. The simple, repetitive motions of knitting created a rhythm that calmed my anxious mind.

I highly recommend knitting with a couple of cats - it's very soothing!

I’ve since learned that crafting has been widely recognized for its therapeutic benefits. Studies have shown that the rhythmic, repetitive motion of knitting can lower stress, slow heart rate, and even improve cognitive function. Much like meditation, it encourages mindfulness—your hands move in a steady pattern, your breathing slows, and you focus on each stitch as it comes together to form something tangible.

But more than just a stress-reliever, knitting helped me regain a sense of connection. At a time when I was still adjusting to my implant and navigating new challenges, it gave me a way to engage with the world again. The fiber arts community is an incredibly welcoming and supportive space. Even when I wasn’t physically surrounded by others, I found online knitting groups where people shared their projects, their struggles, their joy. I joined in conversations about different fiber types, admired other people’s work, and shared my own. Slowly but surely, I was part of something again.

And then there was the simple satisfaction of making something with my own hands. When so much of my life felt out of my control, knitting gave me a way to create order and beauty, one stitch at a time. Completing a project—whether a scarf, a hat, or a more intricate lace shawl—gave me a sense of accomplishment when I needed it most.

The Power of Crafting for Healing

I know I’m not alone in this experience. Many people turn to crafting during difficult times—whether they are dealing with grief, illness, mental health struggles, or simply the stress of daily life. There’s something incredibly grounding about working with your hands, watching something take shape under your fingertips. It’s a reminder that healing doesn’t have to be dramatic or immediate; sometimes, it’s found in the quiet repetition of stitches, in the feel of yarn, in the gentle process of making.

Knitting won’t fix everything, and it didn’t erase the challenges of hearing loss. But it gave me a tool to help me through, a way to calm my mind, express myself creatively, and reconnect with a world that once felt so distant.

If you’ve ever found solace in crafting, I’d love to hear your story. How has creativity helped you through difficult times?