Crafts like knitting and crochet provide an ideal mix of challenge and repetition that can help with attention span and mood.
A neuroscientist says some crafts can be a part of a broad brain health government, along with other considerations like exercise, diet and sleep.
Knitter Will Seager says he finds trying patterns both calming and stimulating.
Will Seager taught himself to knit nine years ago. It's something he does every day.
"I'm naturally a little bit of an anxious person so for me it's really nice to let go of any other worries or things that I need to be thinking about and focus entirely on my knitting," Mr Seager said.
Neuroscientist Sarah McKay said crafts like knitting and crochet were "deceptively good for the brain".
"You have to remember where you're up to, you have to problem solve, you have to make decisions, you're constantly challenging yourself if you're doing more and more complicated patterns."
Dr McKay said craft activities could help with attention.
Mr Seager is constantly looking for new ways to challenge himself as a knitter.
Mr Seager likes to knit alone so he can focus.
Its members mostly knit and crochet items to donate to local charities.
Norma Kelaart joined the group after moving to Tasmania in 2024.
Dr McKay said there was not enough evidence to prove that activities like knitting and crochet helped prevent dementia — many of the studies were observational and self-reported, not randomised clinical trials that look specifically at dementia risk.