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

 

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 alternative that doesn’t require a per...

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 of knitting might be one of the most...

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 hits exactly the right sweet spot to g...

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 wrong one, and why the thing you’re doi...

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 day.

From dance practices to waitin...

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 counting to 47 aren’t relaxing—the...

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'...

“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 episode, I’m sharing exactly how I bu...

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 goal is perfection, you completely m...

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 actually work.

Because here’s the ...

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 motion activates your “rest and d...

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 right place.

 

In This Episode, We Talk...

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 long break—this one’s for you.

In thi...

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 inspiration behind her designs, and the...

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 best episodes of the last year and a...

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 essentials, and the confidence to cast...

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 Knit & Note app — a brilliant...

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 looking to prioritize peace in your ...