ONE DAY RETREAT – Knit Calm

A one day retreat about knitting and the mind.

We’ve all heard the sayings so many times - knitting soothes the soul, breathing through the stitches, holding on to my needles - but what does that actually mean?
Join us for a one day retreat where we delve into personal stories and science to explore and understand how the act of knitting generates calm and is beneficial for our mental health. A tool in our mental wellbeing tool box that can be utilised in managing stress, overwhelm and crisis - and to bring joy!

In beautiful surroundings, an intimate small group of like minded people, through our talks, the reflections in our gathering circle, sharing a warm comforting meal together and the opportunity to be immersed in a soothing sound bath, we truly aim to create a magical event that will leave you inspired, informed, calm and with a joyful heart!

You will meet:

May Linn ‘Maya’ Bang - with a background as a filmmaker, she is a story teller, communicator and owner of Knit with attitude.
As one of the longest standing yarn shops in London, Maya has led Knit with attitude through world events like the finance collapse, the global pandemic, recessions and political unrest, earning a long term perspective on how a yarn shop is so much more than ‘just a shop’ when meeting people in crisis.
Maya lives with one of the world’s rarest conditions, baffling the medical establishment and science, she has spent a lifetime searching for answers and solutions where there seemingly are none. Thus developing a unique personal approach to dealing with life-changing crisis, finding courage and regaining control facing overwhelm, and often in life-threathening situations. Aided with the super power of knitting, Maya’s mission is to create warm, safe and nurturing spaces where there is room large enough for everyone.

Jonna Helin - CEO, Creative Director, and Co-Founder of Laine Publishing.
Based in Finland, Jonna is flying in solely to spend the day with us. This is a unique opportunity to learn about her journey through knitting, founding Laine Magazine and becoming the head of one of the most renowned publishing houses in the knitting world. Living with bipolar disorder and ADHD, she shares generously about her struggles, managing her mental health and finding balance through creativity - and how she refuels when feeling disconnected from creativity and thus joy. Jonna gives so much of herself in conversation, and our intimate setting creates a safe inclusive space for both inspiration and connection. 

Dr. Mia Hobbs - Clinical psychologist with a passion for knitting and its benefits for mental wellbeing, and host of the Why I Knit Podcast. Mia will explain to us how our bodies and brains actually react when finding that rhythm between our needles. It is a common assumption among knitters that it has therapeutic benefits, and there is emerging evidence to confirm this, to suggest that people in a clinical population may also experience a reduction in anxiety and increased sense of calm when learning to knit. Mia’s extensive work is done with the hope to encourage those of us who are existing knitters to deliberately and mindfully use our craft to its full therapeutic potential, and to introduce new potential knitters to the idea that knitting could have more to offer than just the ability to make great jumpers!

Ashlyn Gibson - with a rich background as designer, award winning retailer, international stylist and published writer, she now walks alongside others as a death doula, sound practitioner, forest bathing guide, and retreat host. Having moved through many of life's thresholds - loss, reinvention, awakening - Ashlyn holds space with the kind of presence that only comes from having truly lived. Her beautiful Bless Warehouse is the venue for Knit Calm, and she will host our Soul Soup meal. Ashlyn has previously worked in collaboration with dancers and artists exploring the relationship between intuitive creation and sound. With care, intuition, and deep respect for whatever has been brought up during our day she will perform a sound bath for us using her gongs, chimes and Himalayan bowls, creating a soothing soundscape that restores balance, calm, and clarity. Attendees can chose whether they want to lie down on the mat for the sound bath, or use the time and space to sit with their knitting in rhythm - immersed in the sounds.

When:
February 22nd, 2026 at 11:00 - 17:00. 

Where:
The oasis that is the BLESS Warehouse, hidden away in the urban backlands of Hackney E5.
Exact address will be shared with attendees before the event.

Availability:
We want to make this retreat as accessible as possible. We know how hard things are for some people right now and we want to do what we can to help. We are offering the option to split the payment in two installments if needed, and for those who might find cost or other challenges a barrier to attending, we have one concession space free of charge available. For the concession ticket, please get in touch and briefly explain your situation, we will get back to you in good time before the event. 

Please note that we do not teach children's workshops at Knit with attitude and our minimum age requirement is 15 years old. Please DO NOT book for anyone younger than this as they will not be allowed to attend the event.