Rhian Sugden admits knitting is more relaxing than sex as she models her own handiwork and shares tips for bikini pattern

WHEN Rhian Sugden feels stressed, the first thing she does is reach for her stockings and garters.

But these aren’t the saucy kind, they are the ones she makes when she is knitting — the pastime she prefers to sex.

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And the 30-year-old is not alone. We revealed last week that a new study shows 18 per cent of women “knit one, purl one” to lower stress levels, with many preferring to pick up their needles than get jiggy.

Just eight per cent of women said sex was their “go-to” method of relaxing with 12 per cent opting to sew, followed by reading a book or taking a bath.

And as Rhian posed for our photoshoot, she said: “I honestly think knitting is the most relaxing thing you can do.

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“If I am at home and I feel stressed, I get out my knitting. I knit everything and anything.

“When I was little, I would knit pants for my dolls and now I knit jumpers for my miniature sausage dog Frank.

"Knitting is one of those hobbies where you can zone out and completely relax into it.

“Sex isn’t relaxing, is it? You’ve got to concentrate on that and it’s no fun if you’re doing all the work.

“I’d rather have sex most of the time, don’t get me wrong, but when I want to chill out, I’d choose my needles over the sack any day.

“I feel much calmer and less stressed when I’m knitting.”

Rhian has been a knitting fan since she was four.

She even whipped out her needles and got creative during our photoshoot.

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She said: “You really can knit anything. There are all kinds of patterns out there.”

But the Page 3 girl admits her actor fiance Oliver Mellor — best known to telly fans as Coronation Street’s Dr Matt Carter — was amazed when he found out she was an avid knitter.

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She said: “My bloke thinks it’s a bit of a weird hobby and that I’m slightly odd, but he likes the fact it keeps me quiet for a bit.

“People will think I’m mad but if I’m lying in my bikini in the back garden in the sunshine, I’ll always get my needles out. I can’t lie still and I like to keep my hands busy.

“I have seen more and more people doing it now. It didn’t used to be fashionable, but it is now.”

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In recent years, Google has reported a 150 per cent increase in knitting-related searches and sales of yarn have soared.

Publisher Penguin has recently released its first knitting books since the Fifties, while Tesco has reported a 500 per cent increase in demand for kits aimed at younger enthusiasts.

Shows like the BBC’S Great British Sewing Bee have also helped inspire a new generation of knitters.

But while it’s one of the fastest growing hobbies in the UK, Rhian has taken her love of needles a step further.

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She said: “I’m currently in the middle of knitting a gigantic throw.

“It’s using mega-thick wool that’s as thick as my arms. The needles are the size of my legs so it’s not something I can just pop in my bag and get going with on the bus.

“It’s actually a real workout for me because the needles are so heavy.

“It’ll take me ages to finish but I love the process of doing it and there’s something amazing about knowing you’ve made something useful when you’re done.

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“I’ve always worn knitted clothes. I come from a family of knitters and I was always the one in the homemade cardigan on school photos day but I loved it.

“If I ever have kids, they’ll be in knitted gear too.

“My Nana Alice taught my mum to knit and now she is teaching my 14-year-old niece. It is such a great way to bring people together.

“Knitting is more relaxing for adults than sex and better for kids than sitting on the PlayStation — I think everybody should have a go!”