Knitting for mental health – a conversation with “Mandestrik”
19:00
Mandestrik (Manknit): From local hobby to global inspiration on Instagram
Rasmus Valentino Mandal Larsen, better known as Mandestrik, has become an international phenomenon in the knitting world. Through a unique combination of humor, honest insights on mental health, and impressive handiwork, he built a global following of almost 70.000 in one year. His Instagram has inspired people all over the world to embrace creativity and vulnerability in their daily lives, and to use knitting to get out of their heads and into their hands.
Knitting, humor and mental health
Rasmus’ approach to knitting is anything but traditional. To him, it is not only a creative process – it is a therapy, a way to find calm and balance as a family man with a psychological illness that can cause everyday life to feel very overwhelming. All the while, he is adding humor to his posts and videos, resulting in content that is both entertaining and deeply relatable. “Knitting is my way to make something beautiful, even when life feels chaotic”, he says.
His ability to combine laughter and the seriousness of life has struck a nerve with people across culture. Through his profile he shares both knitting projects and honest reflections on psychological vulnerability and the road to self-acceptance.
Rasmus will be coming to tell us about his approach to knitting and mental health, and the influence it has had on his life, on Friday 28th of March at 19.00. He will be interviewed by Unn Davidsen from the Nordic House Library, and the conversation will be in Danish (Rasmus) and Norwegian (Unn).
