Techniques
Tips for Neurodivergent Knitters
About three years ago, I was diagnosed with ADHD with dyscalculia.
Suddenly, my life made sense. My brain works differently, yes, but both ADHD and dyscalculia were impacting the one thing I never thought it would: knitting.
I find knitting to be a meditative, relaxing practice. Imagine my frustration when I realize my stitch counts were off or, suddenly, I was making a series of repetitive mistakes most people consider careless. For me, those moments are a sign of when and where I lost focus.
So I put my needles down and really started to think about how I can help myself if I want to continue being a knitter. Below are some ways that help me enjoy the process; think mindset shifts, novelty, structure, and stimulation.
My patterns are redacted. Dana shared this tip with me because I’m constantly fighting a battle between distraction and focus, especially when I’m reading. I bring all of my patterns into my Noteshelf app and I block out everything that doesn’t pertain to the size I’m making. I also block out everything that I have completed. Do my patterns look crazy? Yes—but this quick fix probably helped me the most.
I added an emoji key to hack my patterns. ADHD brains are wired for novelty so I developed an emoji key to mark-up my patterns. I can’t explain how much joy this brings to my brain.
Frog and Pivot ASAP. Recently I frogged a raglan sweater because I felt like I was always counting or avoiding counting. So I pivoted and selected a new pattern. When I cast on, it immediately felt like there were fewer numbers to keep track of and less stress on my working memory. Suddenly, I was having more fun.
Measuring is easier than tracking rows. Give me a pattern that says “knit until the yoke measures 3 inches” rather than “repeat these rows 30 more times” any day.
“Beginner” doesn’t mean “easy” for neurodivergent brains. Sometimes my brain needs a more advanced pattern than my actual skill set warrants. My brain can get distracted if I’m not engaged, so I try to find advanced beginner to intermediate patterns that challenge me and hold my focus longer.
I buy (or make) cute notions for a boost of dopamine. Knitting is even more fun with silly accessories. Doughnut stitch stoppers! I ordered them in bulk. Day of the Week undies stitch marker set! I’ll take two please. And I make my own stitch markers sometimes. Dressing up my projects with these notions makes me smile and fires up my neurotransmitters when they are a little low.
Even as a newish knitter, I don’t swatch for everything. Sometimes I need a project I can just jump into, like the Sophie Scarf or, most recently, a cute beanie I saw on Instagram. If I swatch for these projects, I will quickly lose interest, so just I jump in. After those smaller projects are done, I check my gauge. They become wearable swatches.
But I love swatching for sweaters even though I rarely get gauge right away. This is my favorite ADHD-informed mindset shift. Recently, when I didn’t get gauge, I didn’t get frustrated. Instead, I made a list of projects that I like that met the gauge I got with my yarn. Most of them were already in my Ravelry faves. This shift helped me create a list of projects that are ready to knit today.
I use the Ravit App instead of Ravelry. I’ve been on Ravelry since 2012, when I was crocheting. I love Ravelry—but the web and mobile interface overwhelms me with all the visual noise and information. Ravit connects to my Ravelry account, aligns better with how my brain works, and organizes everything in a cleaner way.
Ravit App Screenshot
Knit Nights are actually body-doubling sessions. The Cleveland Clinic states that “Body doubling means you’re doing a task or project while in the presence of one (or more) people. In turn, that person serves as an anchor to help encourage focus, accountability, and productivity.” When I’m struggling to focus on a particular knitting project (a.k.a. I’m bored but I want to finish it), I take it to my knit night. This is especially helpful when I’m on sleeve island.
Neurodivergence affects every part of my life. Understanding that knitting patterns are not necessarily written with neurodivergent brains in mind, I can make adjustments to “right” the patterns for my brain so I can continue to enjoy the knitting process.
Notice that I said process; I’m probably still working on the sweater you saw me with three months ago. However, I am as comfortable with my knitting project output not being huge as I am with being a continental knitter. It is these ADHD adjustments that help me enjoy the practice of knitting every time I pick up my needles.
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Editors’ note: PS Going to Vogue Knitting Live? We are—come join us! We’ll be at an Irish pub called Connolly’s (Times Square location just one block from the Marriott!) from 4-6 p.m. on Friday, January 30. What could be cozier than that? Let us know you’ll be there—reply here.
Interesting and informative- This was great! I’m not neurodivergent but the redacting idea is absolutely brilliant. I’m trying this right away because circling the numbers I need sometimes just doesn’t work based on how the pattern is formatted and what font is used.
Yes! Redacting is a brilliant idea for aging eyes too. I think it will help tremendously when looking from my knitting to my iPad.
Will also check out your other suggestions. Thank you!!!
Wow! Jessica, thank you so much for this. I have ADHD, and even though I have apparently had it for many years, I’m just now (I’m 75) learning how much it affects me, and working out ways to adapt. I will save and reread your post; your tips ring bells for me!
You must be so inspiring for anyone else with your diagnosis or in fact anyone whose brain is different in any way. In fact we are probably all different in something or other that challenges us and your example says don’t give up, find a way to work with it or through it. It is also fascinating to others how you have, in a way, tricked your brain to make it do what you want it to. So with more meaning than usual, Jessica, I say “Happy Knitting!”
Thank you for this!!!
Thank you Jessica! How refreshing to consider your ideas (even though neurodivergent is a new term for me). I regret I won’t be at VKL this year. Would love to meet you!
I love the redacting idea! I’ve been knitting for some 50+ years and this never occurred to me. BRILLIANT!
Wonderful, helpful post Jessica! 70 yrs young and just figuring out ADHD. Glad to know these tips now.
One of the biggest helps for neurodivergent folks is learning what helps and processes work best for them. It can take a lot of trial and error, and of course one person’s solution may not be yours. But sharing these ideas and tips is very helpful for those who are still working through the process.
I’ve always highlighted information for my size in patterns. I love seeing the colors, but I think I might try redacting now. Even though I am not neurodivergent, there are definitely benefits to having more focus. And THANK YOU for the tip about the Ravit app. It is definitely an improvement for mobile viewing of Ravelry!
THANK YOU, JESSICA!! These tips are such a wondrous gift to me
In 2012, I fell backwards down a flight of steps, sustaining a severe closed head injury. My life turned on a dime that day.
My knitting was never the same.
Now I have some tools to ease the stress of my knitting.
W O W
Wow! SO MUCH good stuff in this post! These could be a big, big help! Thank you.
Yes to all of these — especially redacting patterns. There is so much visual clutter and extra information in most patterns. I like to print mine and highlight the size I need to cut down on distraction and make it easier to follow what I actually need to do next. (And Ravit >>> Ravelry, IMO!)