Sometimes life just feels overwhelming, right? You’re doing your best. You’re trying to hold it all together. But we all go through seasons where our mental health takes a hit and during these times it’s super important to look after yourself.

We all go through times of feeling stressed and anxious but dealing with stress for long periods of time or at high levels can have a negative impact on your body and wellbeing. Coping techniques often aren’t taught to us as children, yet these are essential life skills. Times are changing and we’re having more conversations about mental health which is awesome but we can still feel very vulnerable at these times.

Why a Knitting Pattern?
The Finding Calm Scarf pattern was written after a season of anxiety in my own life. Since then, I wanted to create a resource to help others so I’ve collaborated with Anxiety NZ to combine my knitting skills with their depth of knowledge around anxiety to create this free pattern.

The Finding Calm Scarf pattern combines creative flow with practical tips on managing anxious feelings that you can try in your own life. You know those coping skills you were never taught? Here they are. Plus moments of creative flow actually reduce the stress hormones in our bodies!

Maybe you’ve always wanted to learn how to knit, or maybe you’ve been knitting a long time and you just need a simple project on the needles … this is a pattern for everyone.

These tips aren’t designed to be a burden (yet another list of things on your to-do list). They are just a few suggestions that you can try and some will be more useful than others to you. This also isn’t a final list; there are many other coping techniques out there so please find the right ones for you and include them in your toolbox of resources. Add them into your routine where possible and don’t be hard on yourself if you forget or if they don’t work. For example, mindfulness is easier on some days than others and that’s okay. Maybe a different technique is better on that day.

Anxiety NZ
Anxiety NZ is a New Zealand charity offering specialist clinical services, ongoing peer support groups, educational resources and immediate help to New Zealanders via a free 24/7 national 0800 ANXIETY Helpline. They also have a new self-paced, online course called Empowered that anyone around the world can access. Anxiety NZ have provided most of the resources in this pattern and offer incredible support to people in need. I’m grateful for their generous time, input and guidance on this project.

But being a charity, they are often short on funds and I think we can help with that. This pattern is entirely free so it remains accessible to everyone but if you enjoy the resource and find it helpful, please consider donating the cost of a pattern (or an amount you’re comfortable with) to Anxiety NZ, your local mental health agency or a charity you feel a connection to. It feels good to give and every dollar given means the world to these organisations and their clients. Your donation will help others to access professional help during a time of need.

Links to video tutorials are included for each technique along the way. It’s okay if your project isn’t perfect. Like a Sunday drive or a stroll in the forest, this pattern is all about the journey.

I hope the pattern brings you some light during this season … and maybe a cute scarf too.

ERRATA: Version AR.A has an error on the final ribbing. It should read the same as the “knitting flat” ribbing at the start of the pattern. Download the latest version for an updated copy