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Reader’s En-Gauge: Tips for Avoiding Pain

April 16, 2012 by AllFreeKnitting 52 Comments

Welcome to another edition of Readers En-Gauge! In case you’re just joining us, every Monday we’re giving away a prize to one lucky reader – just for answering our weekly question! Last week, we collected your best tips for keeping yarn tangle free.  If you haven’t checked it out already, make sure to read all the great tips here.

It’s so easy to enter for a chance to be today’s winner, all you need to do is answer this question in the Comments Section below this post:

What are your best tips for avoiding pain while knitting or crocheting? Let us know!

We can’t wait to hear your tips! Who knows, your great idea may be featured right here on this blog or one of our websites. We love to hear from YOU!

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  • Contest closes April 16, 2012 at 11:59p CST.
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Comments

  1. Diana K says

    April 16, 2012 at 9:05 am

    Make sure that you take frequent breaks!

    Reply
  2. Ann B says

    April 16, 2012 at 9:07 am

    Don’t rest your arms on a surface, like a table top or the arms of a chair. This puts pressure on the nerves in your arms, and is particularly damaging as you move the muscles in your forearms.

    Reply
  3. Becky C. says

    April 16, 2012 at 9:07 am

    If working on a bigger project when I get to the end of a row I just rotate my wrists once counter clock wise once clock wise. If it is a small project lets say a dishcloth I do the same thing after 5 rows. Does a pretty good job at holding back the fatigue.

    Reply
  4. Linda Runnells says

    April 16, 2012 at 9:08 am

    Make sure you take breaks, support your arms, and I sometimes use a hand brace. I also when I take breaks do stretching exercises for my fingers, wrists, and total arm. This really helps. Learned this from working on a comptuer all day at work!

    Reply
  5. Brianna says

    April 16, 2012 at 9:11 am

    Keep your back straight and your shoulders down.

    Reply
  6. Robin says

    April 16, 2012 at 9:16 am

    I wear a wrist brace at night to guarantee a pain free day of knitting when I wake up.

    Reply
  7. Anna Marie G. says

    April 16, 2012 at 9:18 am

    I squeeze and release a small rubber ball a few times to relax and ease the tension in my hands and fingers.

    Reply
  8. Kay says

    April 16, 2012 at 9:35 am

    Stretch, stretch, stretch. Hand-wrist-arm exercises. Hold arm straight forward, palm down, pull fingers of hand up and back gently with opposite hand.. repeat with other arm. Than palm up … push hand/arm down and back gently… repeat with other arm.

    BUT, don’t just exercise/stretch your hands and arms. Get up and get the blood flowing in your legs and buttocks! Do some “reach for the sky” stretches while standing.

    While we want to keep our hands and arms in good working order, we don’t want to develop blood clots in our lower extremities.

    Also, drink plenty of water. Keep hydrated.

    Reply
  9. Cynthia Wilbanks says

    April 16, 2012 at 9:37 am

    I make sure I take a break every 1/2 hour to 45 minutes & then do some hand/wrist stretches as well as getting up & moving around.

    Reply
  10. lynn says

    April 16, 2012 at 9:49 am

    its hard to stop what your doing but you can rest a bit

    Reply
  11. Helen says

    April 16, 2012 at 10:01 am

    Drape a warmed rice bag heat pad around your neck and shoulders. Relieves tension build up.

    Reply
  12. Jeannie M says

    April 16, 2012 at 10:02 am

    I’m a “pusher” when knitting and have found soft, flexible thimbles on each fore-finger to help avoid painful finger tips.

    Reply
  13. BJ McFalls says

    April 16, 2012 at 10:04 am

    I flex my fingers ever so often and sometimes just put it down for a few minutes. I have also found that if you support your elbows on anything, it is more difficult to avoid pain or too much muscle tension. Free movement of your arms, I think, is crucial.

    Reply
  14. Wil Byrd says

    April 16, 2012 at 10:11 am

    I have a squeeze toy that is a can of very thick putty. I take it out and play with it every so often to ensure my hands stay nimble. It works good for when I am typing too much and when I am knitting too much. So yes, get a squeeze toy and flex the other side of your hand!!

    Reply
  15. Jessica Kelly says

    April 16, 2012 at 10:23 am

    I usually shake out my hands to loosen them up after a bit. If it’s a big project, a couple of rows, and for a small one maybe a bit longer depending on your strength. Also getting up and walking around also loosens things up.

    Reply
  16. Mariann Flynn says

    April 16, 2012 at 10:25 am

    I put a pillow, bed, or throw on my lap when I settle in for a long knitting session. Also, don’t forget to get up and move periodically. You can carry a small project with you and continue knitting, but you’ll probably have to put down a big one.

    Reply
  17. Mary Thompson says

    April 16, 2012 at 10:31 am

    As soon as I feel a tingling in my arms I stop and do something else for a few minutes. Like change the clothes in the washer to the dryer. Just any chore that only takes a few minutes. This gets other things done and I don’t feel like I have been lazy. Of course, it is hard to stop until I get to the end of a row!!

    Reply
  18. Mare F says

    April 16, 2012 at 10:33 am

    Regular stretching breaks makes a big difference.

    Reply
  19. Jennie says

    April 16, 2012 at 10:57 am

    My chiropractor suggested I stretch my fingers with a rubber band (finger tips together, rubber band around the outside, push against the band by opening up your hand). I also use Shaklee Alfalfa which has made a huge difference in my arthritis!

    Reply
  20. Becky R says

    April 16, 2012 at 11:01 am

    I set the timer on my smart phone for every hour and get up, stretch a bit, get a drink or take a bathroom break!

    Reply
  21. Joyce D'Alessio says

    April 16, 2012 at 11:06 am

    Isupport my armson a pillow relieving any pull or strain on my shoulders.

    Reply
  22. Jessica Nelson says

    April 16, 2012 at 11:09 am

    Other then the breaks and stretching, I also change the way I hold my needles and I change the way I knit and apply tension to reduce the stress. First, I never knit with long needles, they are too heavy and cause more stress on the hands. If I need longer needles to hold the work, I use interchangeable needles. 2nd, I switched to Continental knitting this is proven to be easier on the hands. Last, I taught myself a different way to hold my yarn that use less tension and put a lot less stress on the hands.
    For knitting: I call my hold the hook / chop stick method. My right hand looks like I am holding a crochet hook in the underhanded position, my left looks like I am holding chopsticks with the yarn as the top stick and the needle as the bottom stick.
    For crochet, same thing, except the left had has the yarn as the top stick and I hold the work in the bottom stick position.
    1 hold, 2 different yarn crafts, 100 similar tension.

    Reply
  23. Nancy B says

    April 16, 2012 at 11:17 am

    Taking breaks and stretching are what keep my fingers moving.

    Reply
  24. Merri Orgeman says

    April 16, 2012 at 11:18 am

    I cut the tips of an pair of battery operated warming gloves, or use those hand warmer packets inside my crafters gloves.

    Reply
  25. Connie Hendricks says

    April 16, 2012 at 11:41 am

    taking breaks at least 1 per hour & doing some stretching

    Reply
  26. KittenWithAWhiplash says

    April 16, 2012 at 11:57 am

    Work in an area that is warm enough. Lots of folks have craft areas set up in basements or garages that don’t have sufficient heating. Being cold just makes your muscles tense up that much more as you work. Also be sure that there is plenty of ventilation where you work, if you use any products with fumes. You’ll help avoid headahces, and perhaps worse problems.

    Reply
  27. Debbie says

    April 16, 2012 at 12:15 pm

    I occassionally take a break and do finger flexes and wrist rotations

    Reply
  28. knittingdancer on Ravelry says

    April 16, 2012 at 12:34 pm

    i change the position I am sitting about every 30 minutes. I also take short breaks like getting up or just not knitting for a few minutes.

    Reply
  29. Joyce Rapp says

    April 16, 2012 at 12:41 pm

    I notice some people have the hook under their hand; my grandmother taught me 60+ years ago to hold it between my thumb and forefinger at the flat part and I don’t have any fatigue. It also helps my arthritis that I wear copper bracelets.

    Reply
  30. ritainalaska says

    April 16, 2012 at 12:54 pm

    wear fingerless craft gloves that have a good, supporting wrist band while you’re doing your handwork. if your fingers nummb or your wrists hurt, use your fav pain relief cream or rub on your wrists and wear a wrist support at night.

    Reply
  31. Ann Kinderknecht says

    April 16, 2012 at 1:25 pm

    Take breaks, knit or crochet for a shorter time and then stop….it’s not a race to the finish, it’s to be fun. Stretch out your hands so they don’t cramp up….sit comfortable and enjoy….I do hand extentions and massage my hands….

    Reply
  32. Beverlee Cholewa says

    April 16, 2012 at 1:28 pm

    Before knitting and as often as I feel is necessary I put my finger tips together and push against them as if a spider doing pushups on a mirror. I also rotate my wrists as often as necessary to loosen them up. Having a comfortable place to rest your arms is important as well as making sure you maintain your posture so you don’t add stress to your shoulders. Most important is to relax and ENJOY what you are knitting. Happy knitting!

    Reply
  33. Lynda B says

    April 16, 2012 at 1:35 pm

    Comfortable chair, good lighting, frequent breaks to stretch shoulders, neck, arms and fingers, and wooden needles!

    Reply
  34. Ita says

    April 16, 2012 at 1:37 pm

    I stop and stretch my hands, wrists and back every 30 minutes.

    Reply
  35. Elaine Raudenbush says

    April 16, 2012 at 1:37 pm

    I knit mainly at night, and I knit sitting in a rocking chair, rocking occassionally, to relieve tension in my neck and shoulders. My knitting carrier is placed next to my rocker, so that I can have my pattern instructions close a hand. I also take short breaks, and do finger flexes, and wrist rotations. I’m always working on a couple of projects at a time on different size needles, so if I get tried of working on one, I switch to the other.

    Reply
  36. Carmen says

    April 16, 2012 at 2:06 pm

    With a toddler in the house, I don’t get to knit or crochet for long intervals, but on the rare occasion I do, I make sure to take breaks – at least every 1/2 hour or so. I was also taught to work loosely. I think you don’t cramp up as easily if you avoid tight tension. When that’s required, I take even more frequent breaks.

    Reply
  37. Carol says

    April 16, 2012 at 2:07 pm

    I have learned never to stay at a project for more than an hour at a time. Get up, walk around and find something else to do. Too often it gets to be “I just need to finish this row or this section of the pattern”.

    Reply
  38. Nancy says

    April 16, 2012 at 2:11 pm

    Two things that have helped me: Concentrating on learning to crochet in a more relaxed way (not keeping tension in my hands and arms and paying attention to position), and using a proper chair that supports my back, neck and arms. I have Fibromyalgia and can’t do many activities for long periods. Crocheting is usually my break from something else that hurts!

    Reply
  39. Carolyn Meyer says

    April 16, 2012 at 2:23 pm

    I have to lay on my right side alot because of my disability and knitting &crocheting are what take my pain away 😀

    Reply
  40. lena c says

    April 16, 2012 at 3:28 pm

    being a gardener, i already have to do daily exercises for tendonitis using rubber putty, and a tension band, and also taking frequent breaks. if i didnt, i wouldnt be able to do either of my favorite things!

    Reply
  41. Donna says

    April 16, 2012 at 3:40 pm

    Never run out of yarn. Make sure you have a good stash.

    Reply
  42. Naomi Hauf says

    April 16, 2012 at 4:37 pm

    wrist rotations and stretching the fingers, yoga stretches and switching between holding yarn in the left and right hands

    Reply
  43. Teri Rainsberg says

    April 16, 2012 at 4:42 pm

    Admire often to catch problems early, take breaks for eyes and hands, and for my sanity sake- use life lines!!!

    Reply
  44. Jeanette says

    April 16, 2012 at 6:03 pm

    breaks about every 30-45 minutes to flex your wrists and get up to stretch your body. Because it is so easy to forget the time, I leave extra yarn on the other side of the room, forcing myself to stop and get up for a stretch, flex and a drink of water.

    Reply
  45. Lynn G. says

    April 16, 2012 at 6:35 pm

    Keep your shoulders, neck and arms relaxed. Don’t hunch up.

    Reply
  46. Diane says

    April 16, 2012 at 7:31 pm

    I use Voltaren rub.

    Reply
  47. Sue says

    April 16, 2012 at 8:29 pm

    I’ve found that if I crochet everyday, my arthritis in my fingers is better.

    Reply
  48. Chevas Hefflinger says

    April 16, 2012 at 9:07 pm

    Hold your tail with your left hand so you don’t knit it=)

    Reply
  49. joann says

    April 16, 2012 at 10:01 pm

    Tiger Balm muscle rub is very nice to use on your sore spots, even Bengay helps! Also, those Ace wraps for wrists work well.

    Reply
  50. maggie says

    April 17, 2012 at 10:36 am

    i have found with my thumb pains that i swich every 20 rows, from left to right (contenental– american throw). it has helped tremendously, don’t have to wear wrist guard for thumbs any more.

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Readers En-Gauge: Tips for Avoiding Pain Winner says:
    April 17, 2012 at 9:28 am

    […] hope you gained some great knowledge on how to avoid pain while knitting or crocheting from what everyone shared in yesterday’s Readers En-Gauge post! Don’t forget that every […]

    Reply
  2. Readers En-Gauge: Your Most Cherished Item says:
    April 23, 2012 at 8:34 am

    […] a prize to one reader simply for answering our weekly question. Last week, we collected your best tips for avoiding pain. If you haven’t checked it out already, make sure to read all the great tips […]

    Reply

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