Had world tennis number one Andy Murray failed to rise to the top of his chosen sport, he might have become hooked on knitting as mum Judy reveals that both activities demand similar skills.

Concentration, rhythm, timing and attention to detail are essential in both tennis and knitting, says Judy, who is supporting the Scottish Women’s Institutes (SWI) craft revival campaign.

Hailed as a stress busting, mood-enhancing pastime by Scottish stars getting behind the SWI drive to promote traditional handcrafts, knitting could be just the thing for Andy when his tennis days are over.

In the video, Judy is seen knitting showing her support of the SWI campaign, the tennis coach said: “What it reminded me of is a lot of things I teach in tennis. It’s great for manual dexterity, great for concentration, it’s great for rhythm, and timing and attention to detail so there you go: tennis and knitting, it’s all the same thing really.”

The SWI has for generations been regarded as the leading organisation for learning, sharing and developing knitting, sewing, embroidery and handcraft expertise. Now, in its centenary year, Scottish personalities are backing the SWI as it leads the charge to bring nimble fingered talents to the fore once again.

Glasgow Times:

ITV presenter Lorraine Kelly has also been reminded of the pleasure of knitting by SWI members who sent wool, knitting needles and part-made scarves and encouraged them to have a go.

Lorraine said: “I’m very happy to support the ‘Save Scottish Crafts Campaign’. I learned knitting at school and find it therapeutic and a real stress buster!”

With handcrafts are no longer taught in schools and anecdotal evidence suggesting some people cannot tackle basic tasks like sewing a button onto a garment, the SWI fears that handcraft skills could be in danger of dying out.

Yet there is an appetite among women to take up handcrafts: an SWI survey carried out two years ago showed dressmaking, knitting and crochet in the top 10 skills women in Scotland would like to learn.

The poll included cooking and arts and crafts among the top skills women would like to develop, other areas in which the SWI is renowned for.

SWI national chairman Christine Hutton said: “We have been promoting education and advancement of Scottish handcrafts since our very foundation 100 years ago.

“It would be a great pity for centuries-old skills to die out and we want to encourage people of all ages to enjoy learning through craft, and help nurture the next generation of craftspeople.

“Many of our own members learned on their mother’s or grandmother’s knee, and have developed and learned techniques supported by fellow members, or by attending specialist courses and tutorials run by the SWI.

“With 712 Institutes we have a huge network in Scotland and every Institute has a member willing to give their time to keep these skills going.”

The SWI wants to encourage anyone who would like to learn and develop handcrafts to come and join them, or to seek out their support for tutorials or skill-sharing events.

For more details of how to find your nearest Institute, or how to join online, visit www.theswi.org.uk