Slow Crafting: Embracing Mindfulness in Knitting and Crochet This Autumn 🧘‍♀️🍂

Learning to love the dark mornings...

As autumn deepens and the days grow shorter, there’s something about this time of year that invites us to slow down and savour the simple pleasures in life. The gentle rhythm of knitting needles or the soothing repetition of crochet stitches seem to naturally lend themselves to this slower pace, offering a form of mindfulness that feels perfectly in tune with the season. For me, this autumn has been a chance to embrace that rhythm even more intentionally, as I've made a small but meaningful shift in my daily routine: getting up earlier each morning for some quiet, peaceful crafting time.

At first, the idea of waking up earlier in autumn felt a bit odd—the mornings are darker, the air colder, and it’s tempting to stay wrapped up in the warmth of bed. But over the past month, I’ve found that setting aside those early hours for crafting has brought a sense of calm and balance to my day, helping me to ease into my routine with a mindfulness that knitting and crochet naturally encourage.

Mindfulness in the Early Morning 🌅

Autumn mornings are something special. There's a stillness in the air, a quiet that feels different from the hustle and bustle of later in the day. I’ve been gradually training myself to get up a little earlier each day—sometimes 60, sometimes 90 minutes—and it’s become one of my favourite parts of the day. During that time, the world outside still feels sleepy (Mark is usually still asleep too!) and I get to start the day gently, on my own terms, with my needles or hook in hand.

One of the projects that’s been accompanying me during these early mornings is this year’s mystery knit-along (MKAL) shawl. There’s something wonderfully meditative about adding a few rows in the quiet dawn hours, with no pressure to rush or to finish quickly. What started as a way to make sure I could still make progress on my MKAL and realising the only time I could do so was before work, has now turned into early mornings as the pattern unfolds slowly, row by row. As I knit, I can feel myself becoming more centred, more present. The slow, repetitive movements are grounding, offering a peaceful start to the day before everything else begins.

Finding Balance Through Crafting ⚖️

I’ve always loved the idea of finding balance in my daily routine, but it’s not always easy, especially as the year moves toward its busier months. Crafting in the early morning has given me a new sense of equilibrium—a way to carve out quiet moments for myself amidst everything else. Those extra morning minutes are not about productivity or ticking things off a list; they’re about being present, focusing on the tactile joy of working with yarn, and letting the process itself become a form of meditation.

Knitting and crochet are inherently slow crafts -I’m toying with the idea of making some slow making YouTube videos too this autumn... Unlike so many aspects of our daily lives, they aren’t rushed, and they don’t need to be. In fact, the magic of these crafts comes from their slowness—the way stitches build one at a time, the gentle satisfaction of seeing a project grow over days, weeks, even months. For me, this mirrors the mindfulness I try to cultivate during these early morning sessions. It’s not about speeding through rows or trying to finish the shawl in record time. Instead, it’s about being mindful of the act of creating, stitch by stitch, and letting that process be enough. And of course having a very large coffee next to me too to start the day!

The Benefits of Routine and Crafting 📅🧶

Incorporating crafting into my morning routine has had benefits far beyond just finishing projects. It’s become a way to set the tone for the rest of the day—calm, focused, and mindful. There’s a quiet joy in knowing that, even if the day ahead gets busy, I’ve already had some time to myself, doing something I love. And because this crafting time is free from distraction, it becomes almost like a form of meditation. My mind slows down, I focus on the texture of the yarn, the click of the needles, the steady rhythm of my hands. It’s grounding, and it helps me start the day with a sense of calm.

And because each stitch builds on the last, it’s also a beautiful reminder that small, steady progress adds up over time.

Slowing Down and Savouring the Season 🍁

As the world outside starts to prepare for the busy festive season ahead of us, I’ve found myself appreciating the slower, more mindful pace that crafting brings. In these early mornings, the dark sky slowly lightening outside, I’m reminded that there’s no need to rush. Whether it’s adding a few rows to my MKAL shawl or simply enjoying these moments of crafting, mindfulness has become my way of staying grounded amidst the seasonal shifts.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned this autumn, it’s the importance of taking time for ourselves, even if it’s just an extra hour in the morning. Whether you’re a knitter, a crocheter, or simply someone who enjoys creative hobbies, I encourage you to try setting aside a small part of your day for mindful crafting. Start your day with calm, let your hands move with intention, and see how that quiet time can transform the rest of your day.

Early mornings have also proven the perfect time to focus on some brioche too - super squishy and very mindful.

Over to you…

Do you find crafting helps you stay mindful and present during the autumn season? Have you tried incorporating it into your daily routine? I’d love to hear how you make time for your own creativity and how it brings balance to your life. Let’s chat in the comments!