Knitting instead of scrolling: Even Hollywood star Ryan Gosling swears by it

m&k: Knitting instead of scrolling: TikTok and social media are making us hyper and addicted. What makes a craft like knitting and crocheting so special and why is it the perfect antidote?

Rebecca Nappo and Emelie Ottosson: In a world full of fast-paced stimuli, manual work gives you something that social media can never offer: real peace, concentration and a tangible result in your own hands. When knitting or crocheting, it's not the quick like that counts, but the conscious moment. Stitch by stitch, row by row.

Studies show that needlework has a positive effect on mental health. How does knitting promote mindfulness and help to reduce stress, especially in a hectic, digital world?

Handwork is like meditation, simply with yarn. The rhythmic repetition of movements calms the mind, reduces stress and creates space for mindfulness. It's about the feeling of creating something with your own hands and the peace that comes with it. The conscious, decelerated experience of creativity.

How do events like "knitfest" help to combine handicrafts with glamor and lifestyle?

"knitfest" shows that handicraft is no longer a niche market. It is a statement, style and self-care at the same time. Knitting is not "old-fashioned" - it is bold, beautiful & powerful.

Celebrity knitters: Celebrities like Julia Roberts, Taylor Swift and Ryan Gosling come out as knitting nerds. What draws celebrities to such a down-to-earth craft as knitting?

In the midst of a jam-packed schedule, needlework offers a place of retreat. It combines focus, creativity and slowing down. It is a space without a camera, without pressure, just you and your yarn. It is precisely this authenticity that attracts many people. knitfest wants to spread this attitude: knitting as a modern form of self-care, regardless of status or fame.

How has the pandemic affected interest in needlework and what does this mean for the future of knitting as a trend and a cultural statement?

The pandemic has triggered a change in perspective: In a time of uncertainty and distance, many people have found refuge in needlework. Knitting became a silent anchor. A way to regain control and creativity while many things around us came to a standstill. Today, needlework is more than just a hobby. knitfest picks up on this attitude to life and celebrates not only a festival around wool, but also the community and togetherness.

What role does the handmade scene play in the fashion world today and why is it an integral part of today's more sustainable fashion industry?

Handicraft has become a symbol of conscious consumption and individuality. It stands for longevity, authenticity and respect for materials and origins. A good example is the Sophie Scarf from PetiteKnit - a knitted design that has gone from being a social media trend to the fashion world and is now even produced by machine. knitfest picks up on this zeitgeist: Handmade as a combination of style, sustainability and personality.

What makes Lærke Bagger's mega workshop at knitfest so unique and why is she the perfect fit as a speaker for an event that focuses on both creativity and personal growth?

Lærke Bagger stands for everything that knitfest embodies: Courage, creativity and freedom of thought. Her "Mega Workshop" is not a classic course. It is an experience. She encourages people to celebrate mistakes, break structures and see knitting as an art form. She is the perfect fit for knitfest because she embodies the message that drives us: knitting is more than just an old, dusty hobby. It is expression, emotion and empowerment.

Initiated by Emelie Ottosson (38) and Rebecca Nappo (45), two young knitting enthusiasts from the Swiss creative scene, knitfest will be a colorful festival for yarn enthusiasts: it's about community, exchange, visibility - and about playfully dissolving old boundaries between DIY, art, design and fashion.

November 8 and 9 at Stage One in Oerlikon. More info under >knit-fest.com