KNIT YOUR STRESS AWAY | Knitting for beginners, Knitting for stress relief, Phone boundaries, Doomscrolling solutions, Self-care for moms, Mindful hobbies, Calm nervous system

Free guide → Swap Scrolling for Stitching - everything you need to intentionally work the knitting habit into your life in just 3 days! (Plus: a newbie cheatsheet)   You know that feeling when you bind off a project and just sit there for a second like… ohhhh, that’s why I keep doing this?   There’s actually a reason your brain responds that way. And it’s the same reason scrolling can feel rewardi...

  You’re tired. You get in bed. You tell yourself five minutes. And then somehow it’s 11:24, your eyes are dry, your brain is completely wired, and you know entirely too much about what strangers ate for dinner tonight.   Sound familiar?   In this episode, Nadine breaks down exactly why scrolling before bed backfires — and why it feels like rest even when it isn’t. Plus a realistic, zero-shame alt...

Cortisol has become one of those wellness buzzwords that makes everyone’s eyes glaze over. But before you scroll past — this isn’t that kind of episode.   In this episode, I break down what cortisol actually is, why it’s not the villain it gets made out to be, and what really happens when your body never gets enough chances to shift out of high alert. Plus — why something as simple as 20 minutes o...

You sit down to knit for just a few minutes. Then you look up and 25 minutes have passed, your shoulders have dropped, and you feel weirdly more like yourself. That feeling has a name - and once you understand what’s happening, you’ll want to give your brain more of it.   In this episode, I break down the science of flow state, why modern motherhood makes it so hard to access, and why knitting hit...

Ever find yourself sitting on the couch at 9:30 PM - technically “resting” - but still feeling completely wired? It’s not a willpower problem. It’s your nervous system.   In this episode, I break down what’s actually happening inside your body when stress never really gets to turn off. I explain the two modes your nervous system lives in, why modern life keeps so many of us mamas stuck in the wron...

Ever notice how quickly your hand reaches for your phone the second you have a free minute? Waiting in the car. Sitting at practice. Standing in line. It’s automatic. But what if those little pockets of time could actually help you feel calmer instead of more overwhelmed? In today’s episode, I’m sharing why I bring my knitting everywhere — and how it’s completely changed the way I move through my...

Once you know the basics of knitting, the next question is: what do I actually knit when I’m stressed? And the answer is something mindless—not boring, but automatic. The kind of knitting where your hands know what to do without your brain micromanaging every stitch.   When you’re stressed, your prefrontal cortex is already fried from planning and decision-making. Complicated patterns that require...

In this episode, I break down exactly what to knit first, why that choice matters more than you think, what supplies you actually need (spoiler: not much), and what to expect in those first few days before it starts to feel natural. Because there IS a moment when it clicks. And it's worth the clunky beginning to get there. What You'll Learn Why your first project isn't about making something beaut...

“This sounds great, but I don’t have TIME to knit.” I hear this constantly—and I get it. I’m a homeschool mom running a business with approximately zero free hours in my day. But I still knit almost every day.   Here’s the secret: you don’t need an hour to knit. You don’t even need 30 minutes. You need 5-10 minutes. And you already have that time—you’re just spending it on your phone.   In this ep...

You're three rows into your first knitting project when you notice it: a dropped stitch, uneven tension, wonky edges. So you rip it all out and start over. Then you make another mistake. You rip it out again. After a few rounds of this, you get frustrated and quit. Sound familiar? Here's the truth: the biggest mistake new knitters make isn't about technique—it's about mindset. When you think the g...

You know you should put your phone down. You know scrolling makes you feel worse. But what are you supposed to DO instead? In this episode, I’m giving you five practical alternatives to scrolling that you can try tonight -  real solutions for when you’re tired and your brain defaults to doomscrolling. These aren’t complicated routines or perfect evening rituals. They’re simple 15-minute swaps that...

Ever tried meditation and felt like you were doing it wrong? Your brain won’t shut up, sitting still feels impossible, or you get 2 minutes in and reach for your phone? I’ve been there. That’s why knitting is different. In this episode, I’m breaking down the actual neuroscience of why knitting calms your nervous system—and why it works even when meditation doesn’t. You’ll learn: How repetitive mot...

I took a 6-month break from the podcast… and today I’m sharing the real reason why. In this comeback episode, I’m walking you through what life looked like behind the scenes, what I learned during that pause, and the new clear focus for Knit Your Stress Away moving forward. If you’ve been overwhelmed, overstimulated, and stuck in that “scrolling at 10pm but feeling worse” cycle… you’re in the righ...

Welcome to our last Summer Throwback episode of Knit Your Stress Away— it’s been a cozy revisit to some of our most-loved episodes from the archives. Today we’re going back to a personal favorite where I share what it was like to pick up my knitting needles again after two decades away. Spoiler: it wasn’t as easy as riding a bike. 😅 If you’re a beginner—or someone returning to knitting after a lo...

Welcome back to Knit Your Stress Away, where knitting meets relaxation! In this special installment of our Summer Throwback Series, we revisit the first-ever interview on the podcast with the remarkable Alexi Tavel from Two of Wands. Join us as Alexi shares her unique journey from studying fashion design to becoming a renowned knitwear designer. Discover how her creative path has evolved, the insp...

Want a beautiful, ready-to-go knitting journal? I finally got my hands on the one from Twice Sheared Sheep and it’s GORGEOUS. Thoughtfully designed, spiral-bound, and perfect for tracking every cozy project. Take a peek here → https://twice-sheared-sheep.myshopify.com/twwcpa (affiliate) Welcome back to the Knit Your Stress Away Summer Throwback Series—your weekly cozy reset with a round up of our...

Welcome to another episode in the Knit Your Stress Away Summer Throwback Series—designed to keep you inspired with the most downloaded episodes during the summer months. If you’re new to knitting (or just overwhelmed by all the tools out there), this one is for you. We’re cutting through the clutter and getting back to basics. You don’t need to buy everything to get started—you just need a few ess...

Grab your beginners guide to knitting: www.theknittingmamas.com Download the “3 Things You Need to Start Knitting” cheatsheet www.theknittingmamas.com Join the free Facebook community: www.theknittingmamas.com Ever wished you had one single place to keep all your knitting patterns, projects, and yarn stash? In this summer throwback episode, I’m chatting with Anne Emilie Fosse, the founder of the K...

Summer Throwback Series In this episode of Knit Your Stress Away, we explore the incredible mental benefits of knitting and how it can help busy moms reduce stress and anxiety. From providing mindful focus to boosting your mood and creating a calming routine, knitting is more than just a creative outlet - it’s a tool for self-care and mental well-being. Whether you’re a total beginner or someone l...

July Summer Throwback Series Why knitting is more than yarn: stress relief, creativity, flow, screen detox, and connection. Real stories and examples of how it helped busy moms reclaim time. Grab your starter cheat sheet (3 Things You Need to Start Knitting) Ready to knit in 90 minutes? Headband Workshop is designed for you, link at www.theknittingmamas.com  

July Summer Throwback Series The Ultimate mindset shift: Make time for yourself without the guilt Reminder: You’re not broken if you never finish a project—you’re overwhelmed. Key mindset shift to make space for calm knitting, even for 15 minutes. Freebie: Make Time to Stitch: 3‑Day Reset Next step: Check out my Headband Workshop ($37) for a peaceful, finished project. Learn more at www.theknittin...

Hey friend—this week’s episode is such a treat! I’m sitting down with the brilliant and bold Chantal Miyagishima from Knitatude , and we’re talking all about her journey from beginner knitter to full-time knitwear designer, author, and creative business owner.   ✨ If you’ve ever dreamed of starting a knitting biz… ✨ Wondered what goes into designing beginner-friendly patterns that actually fit…...

Feeling overwhelmed with all the things you could make this summer—but not sure where to start? In today’s episode of Knit Your Stress Away, I’m sharing 5 simple, satisfying knitting projects that are perfect for summer stitching… even if you’re brand new or just easing back into your knitting rhythm. These beginner-friendly picks are calm, confidence-building, and totally portable—so you can knit...

If you’ve ever lost your place mid-row, miscounted a repeat, or thought, “Wait—did I already increase here?”… today’s episode is going to be a game-changer. In this Knit & Tell mini episode, I’m sharing the tiniest (but mightiest!) tool that makes knitting smoother, calmer, and way more fun: stitch markers. We’ll chat about why they’re not just “nice to have,” the ones I swear by from Twice Sh...

Have you started a knitting project… and then never finished it? Friend, you’re not alone. In this episode, we’re diving into 3 super common beginner mistakes that can stall your progress—and how to gently shift out of them. Whether you’re brand new to knitting or picking it back up after a long break, this pep talk is here to help you build momentum (and actually finish your next cozy project!)....