Common Threads: How It All Started

I've been thinking a lot lately about how much time we spend on technology.

Phones, computers, social media, notifications, emails…we are connected almost all the time. And while technology is wonderful in so many ways, I started wondering what we're missing when we rarely put it down.

I've always dabbled in different crafts. There's something I love about sitting down with fabric, thread, yarn, or something I'm making with my hands. It's a completely different feeling than scrolling on my phone. You slow down, focus on one thing, and somehow your mind gets a little quieter.

I started wondering if I could turn that idea into classes, not necessarily classes where the goal was to become an expert at a craft, but classes where people could unplug, make something, and spend a little time together.

Then I went to a conference and saw another Cooperative Extension program in Utah doing something along these lines. It was one of those moments where I thought, Wait…we could do this here!

And that's really where Common Threads was born.

The more I looked into it, the more I realized there is some pretty interesting research behind what I had been thinking about.

A 2024 study of 7,182 adults found that participating in arts and crafts was associated with greater happiness, life satisfaction, and a stronger feeling that life is worthwhile. In fact, the relationship between crafting and feeling that life is worthwhile was comparable to the relationship researchers found with being employed.

Another international study looked at 8,391 yarn-craft practitioners in 87 countries. After stitching, 89.5% reported feeling calmer, 82% felt happier, and 74.7% felt more useful.

And a review of 25 studies on needlecraft—including sewing, embroidery, quilting, knitting, and crochet—found connections with mental well-being, emotional regulation, cognitive engagement, a sense of purpose, and identity.

Of course, crafting isn't a magic cure for stress or mental health struggles. But I think most of us understand the feeling of getting completely absorbed in something we're doing with our hands.

There are no notifications. No scrolling. No emails. Just you, a project, and the people sitting around the table with you.

And that's what I want Common Threads to be.

Once a month, we'll get together and try a different textile craft. Some may be completely new to you, while others may bring back memories of something your grandmother or mom used to do.

You don't have to be “crafty.” You don't have to be artistic. You don't have to know what you're doing.

We're going to learn together...me included!

I want this to be a place where mistakes are okay, conversations happen naturally, phones can stay in your bag, and nobody is worried about making something perfect.

And the more I thought about the name Common Threads, the more I liked it for another reason. Yes, we'll be working with thread, fabric, yarn, and textiles—but we all have common threads, too.

We all need connection. We all need time to slow down. We all have stories, memories, struggles, things we love, and things we're still learning. We may have very different lives, but around a table making something together, we often discover just how much we have in common.

Maybe that's the real purpose of Common Threads: finding the things that connect us while giving ourselves permission to slow down.

Our First Six Months

October 15 – Mending: Boro & Sashiko
Bring something old, stained, torn, or well-loved and learn how to turn those imperfections into something beautiful.

November 19 – Chicken Scratch
A simple, repetitive embroidery technique that is easy to learn and surprisingly relaxing.

December 17 – Macramé
Knot, create, visit, and slow down a little before the holiday craziness really kicks in.

January 21 – Wool Felting
Work with soft wool and see what you can create without worrying about getting it “just right.”

February 18 – Cross Stitch
A little counting, a little stitching, and some quiet time to focus on one thing.

March 18 – English Paper Piecing
A fun, almost puzzle-like hand-piecing technique that you can even take with you wherever you go.

I'm really excited to see where this goes.

Maybe you'll discover a craft you love. Maybe you'll meet someone new. Maybe you'll finally mend that shirt you've been meaning to fix for two years.

Or maybe you'll just spend a couple of hours not looking at a screen.

And honestly, I think we could all use a little more of that.

Come find your common threads.

Registration for this series ends October but stay tuned for more to follow!

Sources

Keyes, H., et al. (2024). Creating arts and crafting positively predicts subjective wellbeing. Frontiers in Public Health, 12, 1417997.

Burns, P., & Van Der Meer, R. (2021). Happy Hookers: Findings from an international study exploring the effects of crochet on wellbeing. Perspectives in Public Health, 141(3), 149–157.

Le Lagadec, D., Kornhaber, R., Johnston-Devin, C., & Cleary, M. (2024). Healing Stitches: A Scoping Review on the Impact of Needlecraft on Mental Health and Well-Being. Issues in Mental Health Nursing, 45(10), 1097–1110.