Nine ways knitting can help weave calm and joy into your life

Knitting provides numerous mental benefits, including stress reduction and improved mood.

Looking for motivation to help revive a former hobby or to help you get started with your first ever stitches? Picture: Alamy/PA

Swimmer Tom Daley inspired many people  to dust off their old knitting needles after he was spotted stitching between dives at the Paris Olympics last year, and his new Channel 4 show Game of Wool: Britain’s Best Knitter has helped reignite this wave of creative enthusiasm.

Each week we are blown away by the contestants’ incredible skills, imagination and wonderful woolly masterpieces.