Crafting & Body Doubling Provides Community for Autistics

Crocheting and knitting in a silent, group setting is a great way to feel community without draining your social battery.

As a late-diagnosed, high-masking Autistic woman, I'm often overwhelmed by the pressure to speak or fill the silence in conversations. Part of my unmasking has been a conscious effort to sit with natural silences in conversations. 

A recent interview* of Dr. Anne Kirketerp by Fruity Knitting gave me to confidence and push to increase my efforts. In this interview, Dr. Kirketerp discussed the forthcoming English version of her book, Craft Psychology, and, amongst other things, the benefits of crocheting and knitting in a quiet, group setting. 

I decided to host a body doubling crochet and knit session called "Silent Stitching" where everyone would turn their cameras on but mute their microphones while we all stitched.

I was shocked by how relaxing it was. I expected it to be extremely awkward and I did have to fight the urge to say something a few times. Unlike normal meetings I lead, a space where there is a rule to be quiet was freeing and took the pressure off to constantly engage people. Usually after meetings I am exhausted and my social battery is depleted but I was pleasantly surprised that this was not the case after Silent Stitching.

A commonly shared trait in some Autistic individuals is a natural affinity for straight-forward situations where rules are clearly defined and expectations are expressed in advance. Silent Stitching created a space where Autistic individuals could feel part of a community without a pressure to talk or share. I look forward to hosting many more of these sessions and to reading Craft Psychology when the English version is released later this month.

To join Silent Stitching sessions, please sign up for NeuroStitches here.

If you'd like to watch the full Fruity Knitting Interview of Dr. Kirketerp, here is a link to the interview on youtube.

*I am in no way affiliated with or endorse Fruity Knitting or Dr. Anne Kirketerp. I do not receive any compensation or other benefits by sharing this video. I am sharing the link to the interview because I found it interesting.