More women are learning to knit and crochet these days, citing the relaxing and rewarding aspect of these crafts, according to a recent study, whose results may point to the benefits of adapting knitting and crocheting to your stress reduction routine.

The percentage of U.S. women who know how to knit or crochet has risen by 15.3 percent since 1994; by last year, 30 percent of all U.S. women knew how to do at least one of these crafts, found the research, conducted by Research Incorporated of Atlanta. Moreover, 11 percent of U.S. women are active knitters and crocheters. If that trend continues, one in three women will know how to knit or chrochet by the turn of the century.

More than half of the survey respondents said they do these activities to relax, said David Blumenthal, chairman of the Craft Yarn Council of America, which commissioned the study.

For example, respondents said:

"It's the purest form of pleasure."

"I knit and chrochet because it's relaxing. I really enjoy it because of the quiet time. It is how I get piece of mind."

"It's therapy for me — it's like a treat. It's an artistic creation and I can lose myself in it."