The Knitted Neuron project promotes mind and brain health by encouraging people to create handmade neurons to form a giant textile neural network.

The project is based on the principle that yarn craft, with its mental challenges, social connection and mindfulness, helps keep minds and brains sharp, engaged and healthy.

Occupational therapist and Charles Sturt University lecturer in the School of Community Health Therese Schmid, whose recent PhD topic was on creativity and mental wellbeing in older Australians, said many types of creativity could stimulate the brain.

“Doing a project like knitting gives people a chance to reflect on their own creativity as well as socialise with other people,” she said.

Ms Schmid said deliberately stimulating the brain was the equivalent of brain fitness, which was especially important for older people.

“Older people need to be involved in new pursuits, find new challenges, not just sit and wait for them to come to them –  that will enable the brain to have a good workout,” she said.

“Neuroscientists say for healthy ageing older people need to deliberately stimulate their minds; it might be a crossword or Sudoku; even thinking about knitting in a new way (neuro patterns) can be a challenge for some people.”

Ms Schmid believed most older people were motivated to maintain their mental health wellbeing.

She said since the 1950s research had shown the brain was capable of changing and creating new pathways.

“Neural pathways are formed whenever you have a new experience; they’re activated.”

The first of three Knitted Neuron workshops was held at the Wodonga Library on Friday to coincide with National Science Week.

Workshops will be held from 10.30am to 11.30am on September 12 and in October on a date to be advised.

The free workshops will be led by Border textile artist, Abi Thompson, and will culminate in a public art installation to be revealed during Mental Health Week in October.

No knitting experience is needed and people of all ages can participate. Knitting and crochet patterns are available from Wodonga Library.