SYW304 – Knitting Wellness with Molly Grimm

Welcome to Scrapbook Your Way, the show that explores the breadth of ways to be a memory keeper today. I'm your host, Jennifer Wilson, owner of Simple Scrapper and author of the New Rules of Scrapbooking. This is episode 304. In this episode, I'm joined by Molly Grimm of Knitting Wellness for a delightful discussion about the benefits of crafting.

Our conversation focuses on the studying aspects of a craft practice, independent of productivity or progress.

Jennifer Wilson: Hey, Molly. Welcome to Scrapbook Your Way.

Molly Grimm: Hi. [00:01:00] Thank you so much for having me.

Jennifer Wilson: I am looking forward to our conversation today and getting to know you better. Can you start by sharing a little bit about yourself?

Molly Grimm: Yeah. Well, I'm Molly. I am based in Auburn, Indiana, where I live with my family. So my husband and our two daughters who are young, they're six and two right now. And life here is a mix of small town community, a little bit of my creative work and just kind of the beautiful chaos of raising a family. I, yeah, I, uh, juggle a few different roles.

Uh, I run Knitting Wellness, which focuses on mental and emotional benefits of knitting. And I also do some marketing work in Auburn too. And yeah, knitting is where I find and and share online. Just some stillness, little creativity and some comfort in the midst of a pretty busy life.

Jennifer Wilson: Yes. I can't wait to dive into that. I know we definitely [00:02:00] have many, uh, multi craft people here, folks who are knitters as well. But I think your message is so powerful. It really transcends the individual niches of, of crafting as well.

Molly Grimm: Oh, thank you.

Um, so I'm actually in central Illinois in Champaign, so we're like not that far apart.

Yeah.

Jennifer Wilson: Some point we'll have to try to connect at some fun place in between.

Molly Grimm: Oh, definitely. That sounds fun.

Jennifer Wilson: Did you grow up in Auburn or is is Indiana like your home?

Molly Grimm: No, I grew up in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and I.

Jennifer Wilson: Oh, so funny.

Molly Grimm: Yeah.

Jennifer Wilson: I was born in Paw Paw.

Molly Grimm: Oh, really? Oh, cool. Neat. Oh, that's awesome.

Jennifer Wilson: Yeah.

Molly Grimm: Um, I moved to Auburn after I got married, so I've been here almost eight years now.

Jennifer Wilson: Nice. Nice. So we always like to ask a few icebreaker questions to our guests. Do you have a favorite recent project? Um, you know, tell us all about it and why it's a favorite.

Molly Grimm: Ooh, I definitely do. I, and I just recently posted about it too. Um, my favorite [00:03:00] recent project, it's called The Flower Power Beanie by, um, stone Knits. And it's a color work hat that uses two different colors of like a fingering weight yarn, so that if you're not an knitter it just means like a really fine and soft yarn and it's really perfect for like detailed patterns.

And the design features are, were really fun. There's like these bold like floral motifs that just repeat all the way around the hat. And, and again, if, if you're not familiar with knitting, like color work is kind of like a technique where you knit more than one color in a row and it just creates different kinds of little patterns or pictures.

And in this case, flowers and it kind of looks complex, but it's actually like really meditative once you get into the rhythm of it. And the best part is like seeing the design like emerge as you stitch along. And it just, it feels really satisfying to do color work. It's one of my favorites.

Jennifer Wilson: Oh fun. We'll have to include a link to that in the show notes.

Molly Grimm: Yeah.

Jennifer Wilson: Anything [00:04:00] you mention here, we'll do our best to find a link or if you can, uh, send a few to us afterwards, we'll make sure that our listeners can, can check those out.

Molly Grimm: Oh sure. Yeah, definitely.

Jennifer Wilson: So, is there something that you're excited to do, use or try? And this could be something inside of your crafting life and your knitting life, or just in your everyday life.

Molly Grimm: Ooh, that's a great question. I, right now, as far as like in the crafting life, I am, I'm really excited to be curating more resources for knitters and creatives who like to use their craft as a form of wellness. That's pretty exciting to me. Um, I've been working on a new project recently along with a licensed therapist that combines both, their therapeutic insights, so things like different kind of grounding techniques or mindset shifts with actual knitting practices. Uh, so I like to talk a lot about these things online, but now there's like a deep dive of resources coming soon with this project, and it's, it's been so fun for me to learn more [00:05:00] about.

Um, and I'll just share a few examples if, if that's all right. It's, uh.

Jennifer Wilson: Yeah.

Molly Grimm: Yeah, it's like sharing, like choosing, um, like relaxing knitting patterns, um, how to use color therapy when you're knitting. Um, some slow knitting methods to reduce tension. Um, and like a lot of different kinds of guided prompts or, or even like breathing techniques between your rows. And also just a lot of general therapy techniques that are really helpful, even if, even if they don't have, to like be directly related to knitting. Um, and it's definitely, you know, not the same as going to therapy. But it's like a gold mine of resources that are extremely helpful for mindfulness. And, you know, we, that's what we've been working a lot on behind the scenes. And I'm just really excited to create more intentional experiences. Um, and also like kind of form a community that helps people make something but also feel really, I guess connected and, and calm [00:06:00] while doing so.

Jennifer Wilson: Yes. Yes. That sounds amazing. Um, and I love how you're collaborating with other experts who can, kind of, can deepen your own knowledge and, and help your audience as well.

Molly Grimm: Yeah, it's fun.

Jennifer Wilson: I'm curious if someone is, let's say they're a new knitter and like they haven't quite found the flow where knitting, like it feels relaxing. Because you're just so focused on not messing up. Like what advice would you might you have in that situation?

Molly Grimm: I think, and actually that's a question that comes up quite a bit. It's like they, some people will say, I'm, I'm just new to knitting and I'm just not to that point where I can get to the flow. And that's totally understandable. And I think in, in that part of it, it's more about, if it is challenging to you, how are you giving yourself grace? How are you approaching the actual learning process and understanding that it is a learning process to get to the flow point. Like [00:07:00] anything, if you're gonna be good at something or if you're going to really take a deep dive, it's gonna take time. And I think again, just having that, that grace for yourself in those moments. And, and realizing that that's actually impacting your brain too, how you respond, uh, when things are challenging.

Jennifer Wilson: Oh yeah, great point, great point. We all, we do have control over our response, at least the vast majority of the time, and it does make a difference.

Molly Grimm: Yeah. Yeah.

Jennifer Wilson: So I discovered your Instagram account, which you mentioned is at Knitting Wellness earlier this year. And I've been loving your post like just, it just fills me with so much joy to see messaging that that feels very aligned with the types of things that I try to share at Simple Scrapper. And here on the Scrapbook Your Way podcast, I haven't knitted in more than a decade.

Like there's a running joke that I started a scarf for my husband in 2006, and I've never finished it. That was like the last thing I knitted. I, I did work on it a little bit over time, but now it's like, I don't know, it's maybe a foot long, but I'm [00:08:00] not really a knitter, let's just say that. Um, but I, I know that our audience is going to just love what you have to say.

So I wanted to start by just sharing an example from one of your captions that really resonated with me, just to like, give some context of, of, of who we're talking to, um, beyond what you've already said, I guess. So this is just a quote from yours, and we'll include the image in the show notes. You don't need a perfect morning routine or a clear five-year plan or a burst of magical motivation.

You just need something small and steady. Like yarn in your hands, a rhythm your brain can follow a soft place for your nervous system to land. If you've been feeling stuck, this is your reminder. You're allowed to start quietly. Save this for the days when doing one row feels like a win. Tag a friend who needs a soft restart. Just, yeah. This feels me with like so many warm fuzzies.

Molly Grimm: I'm glad.

Jennifer Wilson: Can you talk a little bit more like about [00:09:00] the core messages you're trying to share and who like you really see as your audience?

Molly Grimm: Yeah. Um, I think at the core of everything I share is, is the message of how knitting or, or any craft just naturally seems to calm us down. The repetitiveness or even like just having a quiet focus. It all supports our nervous system in a really beautiful way. Um, you know, unless you drop a stitch or something, then you're, you're back into, okay, how do I fix this mode?

But, but when you're in the flow, I do think that it does support your nervous system in a really beautiful way. And when we pair those types of things with therapeutic insights, it makes the experience even deeper. At least for me It does. And I, and I feel like that resonates with. With my audience as well, and does it always have to be deep? No. But there are benefits to pairing our crafts with these therapeutic insights. And, and also there's a lot of research that [00:10:00] supports it. Just, um, to name a few. It's like the British Journal of Occupational Therapy. Harvard Medical School. Um. Mindfulness and repetitive motion.

There's, um, Craft Psychology by Dr. Anne Kirketerp I hope I'm saying her name right. But there's just a lot of research that does support it and a lot of untapped research, um, that I believe could be done.

Jennifer Wilson: Oh, that's, that's really cool.

Molly Grimm: Yeah. Yeah. So having that touch of, of guidance, um, helps, I think, helps people just move beyond, like, Hey, this crafts or what I'm doing makes me feel good to, Hey, this is, this is actually helping me. And in some cases I do believe like it, it's actually helping people heal. And that's where knitting can, kind of go beyond just a hobby or, or your craft can go beyond just a hobby and it can be a really great tool for long-term wellbeing.

Um, and I think it's the difference of picking up your craft and just feeling better in the moment [00:11:00] versus actually understanding what your body or mind might be trying to tell you. So like, for example, learning how to recognize when maybe you're dissociating or maybe you're disconnecting doom scrolling. I know it was a popular word. Or just like checking out, um, versus actually resting, you know? So, and I think we've all been there too, especially during busy seasons if you, if you have littles or, or any kind of busy season. And, um, yeah, my, my. Audience is, it's mostly women who are creative. Um, and they're, and they're curious.

They're, they're deeply thoughtful and they maybe occasionally experience like some of life's overwhelm or that feeling of being stretched out way too thin. I don't know if you've ever had that.

Jennifer Wilson: Uh, yeah, just a little.

Molly Grimm: Yep. Yep. And, um, I've just noticed that [00:12:00] like a lot of them, uh, many of them are, are caregivers or they're professionals or just people who are always like, quote on for others. Um, and a lot of what they have in common is just like they're craving for rest or peace or something that just feels like it's theirs. Um, and knitting

for a lot of us just kind of has become that safe space within our community and just a form of, of meditation or maybe a daily habit that grounds us. Um, and a reminder that softness and slowness are deeply needed, especially when we're stressed out thin and especially in, in these types of roles.

Jennifer Wilson: Yes. Yes. So you mentioned like the phrase, checking out. If we think about the opposite of that is checking in. How can we intentionally choose that when we need it most? Checking into our hobbies or other behaviors that we know will serve our needs more than say the doom scrolling will.

Molly Grimm: Right, [00:13:00] right.

Jennifer Wilson: When this episode comes out, episode 300 will already have been released. In that, um, one of our longtime, uh, members, and she's our team leader, mentioned how she's actually turned to cross stitch as an alternative to scrapbooking because she's going through a harder time in life. And sometimes scrapbooking and memory keeping because this is so, like personal, we're telling the stories of our lives.

Sometimes we do need to step into something that is slightly less personal, slightly more repetitive. To to be able to get those benefits that we most need.

Molly Grimm: Yeah, I totally agree. And that's, it's so neat that, that she did switch over to something different that that just serves her at this time. That's such a great like way to be connected and understand that. And I think that there's a lot of people that, that aren't able to do that or even know that that's an option, which is, it's neat.

Jennifer Wilson: Yeah, I mean, you always have the opportunity to change what you're doing, even if you feel like you've always done it [00:14:00] a certain way. And that goes for like, for crafts or really any part of your life. Just because you've always done something one way doesn't mean that you can't change and go a different direction.

If you identify that that is might, that might make your life feel a little better.

Molly Grimm: Right, right. Yeah. That's neat.

Jennifer Wilson: So let's talk a little bit more about you. How long have you been knitting and what types of projects do you most enjoy? Are you doing mostly, you know, wearables or other types of projects?

Molly Grimm: Ooh. Um, okay. My, so my grandma taught me to knit when I was 14. And it's kind of something that I picked up off and on again. So, um, I, and there's more to that story too, but the, I guess my favorite kinds of projects are, are, anything that's really repetitive but just beautiful in the repetition. So I love things like, like beanies and shawls and simple color work pieces.

Um, and I'm just, I'm drawn to projects where the rhythm of it is a little more [00:15:00] calming. Um, but there's just enough of like the creativity or maybe some texture to keep it interesting. And I also like a good challenge project too. That's, um, I kind of, like to have two projects going at once just to have the option.

So, um, but, but lately I've just been enjoying floral motifs and like maybe some softer neutral colors. And anything, anything color work that feels like seasonal. So like that flower power beanie I mentioned earlier. Um, and I'm still knitting like winter items in the summer, but add some summer colors and, and motifs to them.

And yeah, I love a good slow projects. I don't necessarily need to like finish quickly, but I definitely like, like to knit just to feel better while I'm making it. I don't know if that's the same for scrapbooking. I don't. How does that relate with scrapbooking?

Jennifer Wilson: Well, I think it just depends. I think there's some of us that can easily turn to our hobby [00:16:00] when we want to feel relaxed. And others that feel like they need to be relaxed in order to turn to it. Um, and so there is some of that mindset work with, okay, if I can just get started, if I can just do five minutes, you can kind of overcome that barrier, that activation energy that you might need in order to get to kind of the other side where there is more calm and peacefulness.

And so it's really a personality thing, I think to a certain degree.

Molly Grimm: Yeah. Oh, that's interesting. Neat.

Jennifer Wilson: I'm curious, you mentioned, okay, so these are the types of things that you're drawn to now. Has it always been that way? And have you found any types of like techniques within knitting that you've decided, I don't enjoy doing this, so I'm not going to.

Molly Grimm: Yeah, I, I love, like, I like to make sweaters and I like to make things that in include like structural aspects. But, and I started off kind of doing more of those types of [00:17:00] projects where there's a lot of shaping. Um, maybe like for a kid's sweater or for a sweater for myself or like cardigan type things.

But I've slowly just kind of transitioned to just things that don't require as much thinking. Like just something I can pick up and, and kind of go with. And, and it's more for me, again, like about the process of it versus what, what it ends up. Obviously I want it to end up in, in looking nice and, and being able to wear it, but I think for me it's just, I, I just wanna knit. I just wanna go with my needles. And so it's, I feel like that's been a huge transition, just the letting go of that pressure to make sure the final product is perfect, and just allowing myself to just create, and, and a lot of times I'm really surprised by how it does end up and how, how pretty some, some of the things do turn out even when it doesn't necessarily go according to plan.

Jennifer Wilson: So would you consider, like the ones you're drawn to, more [00:18:00] forgiving in terms of, um, not, as you said, not requiring that same structure? It doesn't have to fit perfect like a shawl doesn't have to fit perfectly. It could be slightly undersized or oversized and still be fine.

Molly Grimm: Yeah, right, exactly. Yeah. So like a, like a shawl it doesn't, I mean, they, for knitting, before you begin a project, you're, you're supposed to make a what's called a gauge swatch and that just measures your stitches. And, and I do make gauge swatches. I think they're really important for, for, different projects. But there's somewhere it's just like, okay, I just wanna start, you know, I just wanna make it.

And so haw is, is very forgiving when it comes to, um, not making your gauge watch. So it's just something that, like, if I'm gonna, if I have extra yarn or if I'm just gonna pick up something, I'm usually making something that's, that's knit, knit flat or knit in the round. Um, whether it's quick or a big project.

Um, I just kind of really like to stick with colors and textures that are way more [00:19:00] repetitive in nature. Just that way I can just kind of really focus on the process of it and my, my thinking and my thoughts too, if that's needed at the time.

Jennifer Wilson: Do you multitask when you're knitting or are you like trying to find a place where it's quiet and this is what you're focused on?

Molly Grimm: Yeah, well I have, so I have small children, so it's, it's hard to.

Jennifer Wilson: Yeah.

Molly Grimm: Have quiet. So, and maybe that's more of the reason why I'm picking these like simple, flat, flat lay projects. Because there isn't really time to do challenging all the time. Um, but I do think, yeah, I, I definitely do pick more of a quiet space if I have the opportunity. And I'm, I'm not that great at multitasking.

I used to listen to audio books while I did it, and I just found that i t was just too much noise even then with, with all the busyness that I have going on. So I just kind of, I took out the noise and after incorporating some of these like therapeutic [00:20:00] techniques alongside my knitting things really changed. Because knitting went from, Hey, let's finish this project as something fun to do to, let's be a little more intentional and actually like, work on our nervous system right now and calm down. And that was a huge shift from just picking up your needles to picking them up with more intention.

Jennifer Wilson: Yeah. I'm curious how it evolved for you to exploring more of the mental health benefits and, and was that connected to becoming a mom? The pandemic, you know, all the things that have happened in the past.

Molly Grimm: Yeah.

Jennifer Wilson: You know, five to 10 years.

Molly Grimm: Yeah. So a couple of things impacted that. And, and one, probably the most major of it is, is my mom actually decided later in life to go back to school and she got her master's in psychology. And she was learning all of these different things about mental health and, and therapy and things like that, and just sharing it with us.

Um, and just as a family. [00:21:00] And it, it really changed, it changed my life. It changed her life. And we're just like, our eyes were open to something that, you know, we had never really experienced before. Different tools and techniques, um, just to help us in, in everyday life. But, um, so that was, that was one piece of it.

And yeah, I, I really, I always liked knitting. But I really fell in love with it when I realized it could be more than just making something. Like it could actually change how I felt. Okay, knitting is not changing how I'm feeling. It's, it's what I'm doing and how I'm responding. But knitting is that tool that helps in that way. So it just became this way for me to really slow down to process and just to find a little steadiness in the middle of a pretty busy life. And I guess there's one more like as far as the mental health side of things, I, in 2023 after COVID and I had my first daughter in 2019 and my second was in 2022.

So I was a year [00:22:00] postpartum with my second daughter. And I just had like an, an extreme amount of stress personally at that time. And I was raising, you know, two littles and my husband worked out of town full time. And my, my mind felt fine, but my body started to kind of shut down on me at this point. Just from the stress and, and lack of sleep with a 1-year-old.

And, and this went on for, for a lot of time, and I just, I was not able to really explain it to anyone. Um, and at just at points I felt so disconnected, so not present. And I, and I didn't always know what was happening in reality. And it, and it was one of those things I just felt like. It felt like rock bottom, to be honest with you. It was such a horrible feeling.

Jennifer Wilson: Sure.

Molly Grimm: Yeah. And I was, you know, at the time I was also kind of like in and out of doctors' offices and hospitals trying to get some sort of reality back. And I felt led to pick [00:23:00] up my knitting needles. And, and just start posting my projects online as a way to help my brain recover.

Um, and, and to be completely honest, it felt really random. I hadn't really picked up my, my needles, seriously since like 2018 or before my, my first daughter. Um, but I felt very strongly to start knitting again. And what I was posting. I mean, if you go back to some of my first posts, like anything, you're learning how to post on Instagram and, it was super cheesy. And, but I just, I, you know, I didn't care. I didn't care that it was cheesy and I didn't even care what my knitting looked like at the time. Like I was so desperate to heal. And, I, I really, I had never said anything about what was happening or how I was trying to recover from this experience as I started posting. Um, but it was really interesting some of the feedback from people online and, and also in my community at the time in Auburn.

And it really, you know, there's, there's some negative, but there was [00:24:00] a lot of positive. And it, and it made me really passionate to keep going. Other people were like, yeah, I, I resonate with this and, and I was healing at the same time. And knitting was just one of those major tools that helped me. And it, and it definitely wasn't the only tool, but I just knew I needed to share some of these aspects of, of creating with others.

And I know that I'm not the only one who feels that. I'm sure. I mean, do you feel that way with scrapbooking too? I, I can imagine.

Jennifer Wilson: Uh, I have a particular project, uh, my, my rock bottom period was like 2021, 2022 as we were like, the, in the long slog of the pandemic and I was developing a lot of health anxiety in terms of just going out in public and being, you know, exposed to people. And I ended up doing a year long project in 2021. And I am notoriously horrible at your long projects, but I like you, I felt so like I have to do [00:25:00] this in order to get to the other side of this journey. And it was so, was so therapeutic to be, um being present in the moment. Making sure I'm capturing things regularly. Uh, journaling really consistently about how I was feeling the ups and downs. Um, and this is, you know, an, an ongoing kind of joke for, uh, those who are longtime listeners, but when I gave the book to my husband to read, he was like doing the final, like, you know, spell check, copy, editing, grammar check for me. And he's like, this is really personal. And I'm like, oh, this is like the public version of things. I write far more personal things on, you know, in my journal, in other projects that I do consider like more deeply personal, whereas this was like the public side. So it's, yeah, so I, I totally get it. And sometimes we do things more for fun and sometimes we do fun things more because we need them.

Molly Grimm: Right, right. Oh.

Jennifer Wilson: Yeah.

Molly Grimm: Yeah.

Jennifer Wilson: Um, I am [00:26:00] curious, one thing that popped into my mind as you were kind of sharing your story was, did you feel a challenge in giving yourself permission to take the time, did you had already like, kind of leapt over that because you knew you needed it?

Molly Grimm: I. It was definitely about, yeah, taking, taking the time to do it. I think being here with two littles and that was, I mean, just mom, I'm just being mom right now. And everything went into the kids or went into taking care of the house and, and other, other aspects of my personal life too. And, and I think that was the piece that was kind of the barrier for me. Was you, you just need to take time for yourself. Like take, and I know everybody talks about, you know, self-care and things like that, and it was beyond just, you know, taking a bath or, or self-care rituals or things like that. It was like, we really need to find an avenue that can help you regulate. And whether [00:27:00] it be through knitting or through going for a walk or prayer or something different. It was we need something now out of desperation to get my body outta fight or flight.

Jennifer Wilson: For certain. And I think trying to identify what that is. Whether it's something that maybe you have sat down for a while or maybe it's something new that you've been thinking about and that you feel like you've maybe have been curious about trying. Like, I think there's so many options to to choose here.

Molly Grimm: Yeah. Yeah.

Jennifer Wilson: So I have a couple like questions that are kind of go into more kind of common challenges, experience I think folks have. Um, and you know, I already mentioned this a little bit, but how do you think we can tackle this feeling of being so overwhelmed and we're like, I'm too overwhelmed to create, but that's exactly what I need. How would you advise someone in that, in that state?

Molly Grimm: Yeah. That, that feeling is so real, isn't it? Like when, when you're [00:28:00] overwhelmed and even something you love like, like knitting or scrapbooking or journaling can just feel like one more thing on the checklist. And.

Jennifer Wilson: Yeah, reading is that for me. I love reading and I've, you know, long time, lifetime, you know, I was, especially in the summers, I was like reading the full series of things. And now it's, sometimes I just, I can't shut my brain off enough to pick up the book. But I have to actively like, let's, let's do this, uh, 'cause I know that I will enjoy it on the other side.

Molly Grimm: Yeah. Yeah. It's always on the other side. It's like, just get there. Just start. And again, I think, I think that key right there is like, let's lower that barrier to entry and gently remind yourself that you don't have to finish anything to make it perfect. You just have to begin. Um, and, and sometimes that, like for me at least as a knitter, that just means you know, maybe casting on a few stitches or, or knitting a row without any expectations. And maybe sometimes it means just like sitting down and like taking [00:29:00] a few breaths before I begin. Which, which I really, I, I'm not, I'm hoping that that doesn't sound woo woo, but when you actually do that and take the time to breathe and just calm down. The truth is, is like creating, just, it doesn't have to be productive to be healing. It can be quiet. It doesn't have to be perfect. And arguably like it could even be invisible to others, but if it shifts something within you, I think that's the key. And, and two, I think having, for me at least, I kind of talked about this a little earlier, but, um, having like a small go-to project or just like something familiar

that you can return to without having to think too hard about it. So like, when life feels heavy, you don't, you don't have to decide what you want to make necessarily. You can just reach out for something as a comfort or like a safety net. And it just kind of creates a little more steadiness when things are overwhelming.

And, and [00:30:00] there's even research specifically with knitting that, that supports that. When things do feel overwhelming, having familiarity in a project is huge, um, for your brain and, and processing. So the, the most important thing is just giving yourself permission to create, badly even whatever that means to you badly. Or maybe it's slowly, or even, even not at all. I would argue too. Like just trusting that even the smallest moment of making can still move or shift something inside of you.

Jennifer Wilson: Would you ever like, just practice some stitches, like, not, like, not be working on a project, but like, oh, I wanna learn how to do this thing. Um, so I'm going to, you know, cast on a row and then, and then practice that, or I'm going, you know, try something new.

Molly Grimm: Yeah, definitely. I think I like to do that with some of the gauge swatching before a project. Or, or even if I'm not gonna make a project or just learn the new stitch. And I think there's definitely ways [00:31:00] that going through a learning process, like we talked about before, is, is beneficial. But if I'm feeling super overwhelmed, I probably wouldn't, wouldn't try to learn something new in the moment. I would definitely.

Jennifer Wilson: Oh, good point.

Molly Grimm: Try to gravitate towards something that I, I know, I know a lot of the audience that, that I've talked to are people I've talked to, they'll say, I, I really like to knit dishcloths. Like that's my mindless project just to do, you know? And, and they have a million dishcloths. And I have a million dishcloths.

So it's like something like that, like either a gauge swatch or just something simple if you're feeling overwhelmed. But in, in moments where maybe I need to redirect or focus energy that might be maybe nervous. Or something where it's like high energy that just needs an outlet. Then I think definitely fueling it towards something like a learning, like more learning process based would be ideal, at least for me.

Jennifer Wilson: Is part of the gauge swatch process to kind of, uh, develop your [00:32:00] familiarity with the, with the yarn that you're using.

Molly Grimm: Yeah, that's, that's part of it. So.

Jennifer Wilson: How does it feel in your hand? And, and like, obviously what is the thickness and what, you know, compared to the pattern and, and what are.

Molly Grimm: Yeah.

Jennifer Wilson: Gonna be? But even just like getting familiar with your supplies. Um, can kind Of make it easier and feel more comfortable with the project.

Molly Grimm: Yeah, exactly. That's it. It's, it's definitely getting familiar with, with the yard or, or, uh, even with the needles that you're using too, if it's gonna be the right size needle. Um, if it's.

Jennifer Wilson: Hmm.

Molly Grimm: Um, you're, you're measuring that swatch to see if it's for sizing purposes, if, if the sweater's gonna fit, or how many rows per inch, how many stitches per inch.

And it's really, it's more of like the math part of everything. Um, but sometimes it, it, I mean, it can just be just for fun, like swatch with colors. And I, that's one of my favorite things to do with swatches is just play around with some of the colors. And see what you can make. If you can combine yarns, like if you use the strand of like that really soft, [00:33:00] fine fingering weight, and then a really thin strand of, of of mohair, it's like super, like lace weight.

It's really, really tiny and thin, even thinner than the fingering weight. So when you put 'em together, you can completely alter the colors and, and it's like a joy for, for me and for I think for a lot of other people who are creative and who love colors just to play around with the gauge swatching.

Jennifer Wilson: Yeah. Yeah. I was thinking kind of the, the parallel to that might be like practicing stamping or doing a mixed media background. I think some of those things can feel, uh, intimidating. 'cause we don't wanna mess up our project, but we acquire all the supplies to do fun, colorful things. So sometimes we might just wanna practice and play without, and feel that permission to just do without finishing, without it being a project.

Molly Grimm: Yeah, exactly. Yeah.

Jennifer Wilson: So like on that, on that note, there's this tension point that I think a lot of folks feel that they want to feel [00:34:00] quiet and slowness, yet they have maybe a backlog of unfinished projects. They want, they want to feel that sense of accomplishment. I think this is a very kind of a human tension. We want to feel good, yet we also want to be productive and succeed in general. How, how do we reconcile that?

Molly Grimm: Ooh, yes. I.

Jennifer Wilson: Or is that like solving the, you know, the mysteries of the universe?

Molly Grimm: Right, right. Like such, such a good question. And, and loaded too. And, and can it be reconciled? Yeah. I. I think absolutely. I, and, and like you said, I think that tension is, is actually really human. Um, we, we crave like quiet and slow processes of creating, but, but we're also wired, and especially in our culture, I would argue, like to seek completion and results and just something to show for our time.

And in both of those instincts, they, they can exist at the same time. I would say. Um, and, I [00:35:00] guess the way that, like personally, I would try to reconcile if, if I am not always perfect at it, but like if coming back to that intention piece, so.

Jennifer Wilson: Mm-hmm.

Molly Grimm: If, if I'm knitting for peace in the day or if I'm trying to ground myself, then the process is the, is the point.

I don't, I don't need to rush, but there's also times when finishing a project feels incredibly satisfying, especially when life feels scattered. It's, and I think it's, it's a, it's definitely okay to want that too, when life feels scattered. Just to have that finishing line. Um, but yeah, sometimes I'll just have two projects going at once.

I mean, that's that tension, right? One that's slow and meditative and maybe just for me. And then there's one that might be a little more goal oriented or like exciting to finish. And in that way I'm just honoring both of [00:36:00] those needs without forcing it. One to be the other. But I think in the end, maybe the real practice is just learning to ask yourself, Hey, what do I need right now? And letting your craft meet you there and not the other way around.

Jennifer Wilson: Well, and I love this idea of like, okay, we don't have to choose just one thing. We can kind of have a couple things on our plate that will meet our needs in the moment. Um, and we get to choose. And that, that can often feel very, oh, uh, encouraging to know that you have a choice and that you can, the, the point is to check in and find that intention and then feel like you can follow it.

Molly Grimm: Yeah, exactly. Yep.

Jennifer Wilson: So I'm curious a little bit more about your history as a content creator. So I used the way back machine to figure out when, um, when your domain was created. So you started your website as Wool & Cottage in 2019. Is that accurate?

Molly Grimm: Yeah. Yeah. 2018. 2019, um,

Jennifer Wilson: Okay.

Molly Grimm: I started Wool & Cottage.

Jennifer Wilson: [00:37:00] And so what was your initial vision?

Molly Grimm: Um, well, I, I actually started Wool & Cottage right after I moved to Auburn. Um, and, and I started by teaching beginner knitting classes at a local coffee shop in town. Um, I was super new to the area and I was just looking for a way to connect with other crafters. Uh, but there really, there really wasn't anything at the time, as far as community with crafting. So I, I just decided to start teaching and, and see what came of it. And, and it started to grow, which was fun. Uh, and then I learned, I was pregnant with my first daughter and I was also teaching, I was teaching kindergarten at the time too, so it was, it was also busy.

And, and I ended up setting that project aside and kind of just decided I'm gonna focus on being a mom right now. I just, that, that's all I have capacity for. And, and I did, I picked it up again when I started posting online in 2023.

Jennifer Wilson: [00:38:00] Okay. And so how did it come to the point where you decided you were going to rebrand to Knitting Wellness?

Molly Grimm: Oh yeah. Um, that was recent. I, I decided to rebrand Wool & Cottage when I realized that at the heart of what I was doing, it, it just, it's not about me and it's not about my projects. And it was, it was about how knitting and creating like, helps us feel better. And helps me feel better. And, and, and at the time I was, I taught two classes at a recovery house for women.

And, and it was so eye-opening to me how something like knitting or just creating and crafting, gave a sense of progress to someone who really felt stuck in a way I could not imagine. I mean, I had my own, um, my own thing that, that happened to me back in 2023. But, but just, you know, when you hear other people's stories and then you see what crafting does in, in, in all [00:39:00] of that, and the more that I talked about it, I, I realized like, there's a lot of people who use their craft and, and knitting too, as a safe, quiet space to process their emotions without pressure. And over time, the conversations I was having online and, and in person and, and the content I was creating and the way people responded, just made it really clear that, hey, this is, this isn't about Wool & Cottage, this is Knitting Wellness now. There's, there's been a shift.

Jennifer Wilson: Do you, did you, when you made, kind of made the shift officially, did you feel that in the response and, and how your content was resonating with people. Like, once you put your own intention into this, is this is really bigger than, than just me. How did that, how did that feel?

Molly Grimm: Yeah, it felt, I, I think it was, it was well, well received. Um, and it was incredibly meaningful actually. The, um, so many people just reached out. To say things like, I, I just didn't know how [00:40:00] knitting could help me like this. And, and your, your posts make me feel seen. And yeah, it, it's a craft, but it's also, I mean, when used intentionally, it gives you emotional permission to just be. And to rest and to slow down and to not be perfect. And I think that is what really resonated with people who are used to always being on all the time.

Jennifer Wilson: Yes. Yes, for sure. What do you enjoy about creating content? Because it sounds like, you know, in 2023 you really started as like, this came from your own need, and now you are doing it even more to serve others. Like what are the fun parts for you?

Molly Grimm: Yeah, my favorite part is, is, is this right here, what we're doing, like the connection piece. Um, it's, it's like when I share something, um, that resonates deeply with someone and, and they feel a little more seen or, or maybe, um, at times, like maybe a little less alone. That like, I just [00:41:00] really love taking like these quiet, like emotional truths, and a lot of them, like we often carry silently, I believe. And kind of putting them into words or visuals that just feel, I guess comforting. Um, comforting and honest.

Jennifer Wilson: Yes.

Molly Grimm: It's, it's also, it's also comforting to create something that serves too. It's, um, I, like on my end, it's, it's, whether it's a reminder just to slow down or like a nudge to rest. And, and on a personal level, like content creation just helps me reflect even. And, and just stay rooted in, in, in what matters.

And it's a way for me to process too, in similar to knitting, but in a, in a diff in a different way. It's also like creating, 'cause you're creating content. Um, and, and that's, yeah, I love, I love creating content for that reason.

Jennifer Wilson: Well, I think that like identifying that you are continuing to receive the benefits [00:42:00] of the content you create, because often we most need to follow our own advice and that takes intention too. Like it's one thing to say it to others, but it's another to really to process it, take it to heart and apply it to our own lives. Because often if we can provide the advice that it does make sense for us too, I guess if that makes sense..

Molly Grimm: Right. Yeah, it does make sense. And that's so true. And, and I think as I'm creating this, it's, I am not a ball of peace all the time. Like, that's not, that's not what I'm trying to say. It's, it's more that I really struggle with this and so therefore I, I create out of my desire. And, and that helps me too, to regulate and to, um, achieve, peace that I believe is inside of all of us.

Jennifer Wilson: Yes, yes. And to continue that, um, I don't like the word aspirational, but to continue that personal growth, um, we've, we've had a book club [00:43:00] for as about as long as I can remember here. And we, we take personal development books that are 99% of the time nothing related to scrapbooking. And we try to apply those thoughts to scrapbooking because there is so much, uh, potential that we have, uh, in learning and continuing to grow and improve as scrapbookers crafters, knitters and, and humans.

Molly Grimm: Yeah, so true.

Jennifer Wilson: So you've already mentioned, you know, one of the projects you're working on, but what other plans do you have for Knitting Wellness this year and beyond? Anything you are comfortable sharing.

Molly Grimm: Ooh. Um, for Knitting Wellness, I, yeah, I have that project that I talked about earlier and I, I really just see it continuing to grow as a space that blends craft and support for those who are just looking to feel more, more present or maybe, or maybe grounded. Um. I'm, I'm working on some more intentional resources that I mentioned.

Um, but I think [00:44:00] things, things like therapeutic aligned knitting and, and just community spaces even where people can connect through things like healing and creativity. Um, I would love to collaborate with more like wellness therapists and practitioners and fiber artists to explore how knitting can be integrated into recovery.

Um, and, and kind of like nervous system care and emotional regulation. Like I really, those are, I'm pretty passionate about those things. And, and ultimately it's, it's about helping people remember, like, that they already have what they need. And I'm, I'm really ex like, that's what I want to push further, I guess. Is, is just, you know, start simple with a project and, and I want to help people reconnect with that sense of peace.

Like I said, that already lives inside of them, I believe. Um, and knitting and, and crafting is a great pathway. Not not to escape, but just to come, come back to yourself with a little more [00:45:00] intention and just, and just presence overall.

Jennifer Wilson: Oh, I, I can't wait to see what you create. I, I, I'm enjoying following your journey and, and will continue to do so, definitely. I hope we can stay connected.

Molly Grimm: Thank you. I think we definitely need to meet up in Illinois at some point. That sounds fun. I used to, I went to school in Chicago, so I'm, I'm familiar with that. So

Jennifer Wilson: Very cool.

Molly Grimm: We'll have to connect at some point.

Jennifer Wilson: So can you share where our listeners can find you online?

Molly Grimm: Yeah, I, right now I'm, I'm primarily on Instagram just at Knitting Wellness. Um, my website is knittingwellness.com and Facebook is still Wool & Cottage. Uh, we're in the transition piece of that, but, but right now, just Instagram and Knitting Wellness.

Jennifer Wilson: It sounds wonderful. Thanks again for spending time with me.

Molly Grimm: Thank you so much. I really had fun.

Jennifer Wilson: And to all of our listeners, please remember that you have permission to scrapbook, knit, or do other crafts your way. [00:46:00]