Understand why you love your craft so much

You have found the yarn, now you have to knit. You are well on your way, and suddenly you forget the world around you. You are deeply focused and you have found inner peace. It feels nice, but have you ever wondered why it happens?

It is actually quite common, and there is an explanation. Several psychologists work on the subject, and one of them is Dorthe Carlsen, who is a licensed psychologist with more than 20 years of experience. In her daily work, she works with a wide range of areas :

• Anxiety, stress and sadness
• Despondency, depression and feelings of emptiness
• Uncertainty about one's identity
• Feeling of inadequacy
• Low self-esteem
• Difficulty concentrating and making decisions
  
  

Dorthe works from an existential and narrative way of thinking, where she focuses on her patients' stories and how they are told. She works based on their hopes, dreams and experiences, which comes from her special interest in life's transitions and the challenges that can accompany them. She looks a lot at how we make choices and what significance they have for our further development.

Dorthe has been co-owner of Ballerup Psykologhus for the past eight years, and a year ago she began to delve further into craft psychology. She has a burning desire to inspire more people to use their hands in everyday life, which is why she is enrolled in the certified training in craft psychology.

In addition to being an experienced psychologist, Dorthe is also a keen knitter. It already started at the age of 12, when she spent her summer holidays with her grandmother, who taught her about cooking, porcelain painting and knitting. Painting porcelain did not become a favorite, but she stuck to knitting and cooking, which have a special place in her heart to this day. She finds the knitting needles and the yarn as soon as there is an occasion for it.

There is no doubt that she loves to knit, and now she has found a way to combine it with her work using craft psychology. But what exactly is craft psychology and how can it be used in connection with knitting?

Craft psychology

Craft psychology is based on a theory that describes the physical and psychological benefits of needlework and crafts. It's about us being passionate and committed about what we create. It can be anything from music to puzzles or knitting.

More concretely, it is about immersing ourselves so much in what we are doing that we forget the world around us. Suddenly we forget time, space and thoughts, and get into flow.
Flow can be described as a mental and bodily state that occurs when we find ourselves in a suitably challenging situation that takes our attention. It can therefore be an auxiliary tool for stress, which can contribute to increasing well-being. Craft psychology can be completely therapeutic because we just disappear into our own world filled with calm.

"No matter what people do, they are not nearly as satisfied and happy when their thoughts are wandering as they are when they are focused and fully aware of what they are doing." - Dorthe Carlsen

Lecture
On February 29, Dorthe Carlsen will visit the Wool Collective, where she will talk more about craft psychology. Here she goes into further detail about the positive properties of needlework.
The lecture is unfortunately sold out, but don't worry. If you would like to learn more about craft psychology, you will have the opportunity again on 18 April, when Dorthe will once again give a lecture at Wool Collective. Find the lecture here .

Information about the lecture

• Date: 18 April 2024
• Time: 19-21
• Address: Kirke Værløsevej 34
• Price: DKK 250

Included in the price are:

• 1 hour lecture + question round about craft psychology
• 10 concrete tips for self-care in a busy everyday life
• Welcome drink and snacks
• A small cozy craft project for the evening (of course you are also welcome to bring your own knitting)