Preventing Pain During Knitting and Crochet

Let’s face it: once you get the hang of knitting and/or crochet, they can be addicting. ‘One more row, one more row,..’ and all of a sudden it’s 3am and you’ve re-watched a complete season of your favorite show on Netflix. And, in many cases, your hands and wrists – the most important tools in knitting and crochet – might be in a lot of pain.

While for some, knitting and crocheting might be a choice, a hobby. For others, it may be how you earn a living. Knitting or crochet all day may be necessary to fulfill orders or maintain inventory. And resulting hand and wrist pain could threaten your ability to work and thus earn.

As much as we believe and tout the mental health benefits of knitting, it’s important for us to address an important issue: physical hand and wrist pain that occur due to long periods of continuous crafting. Hand and wrist pain is a common issue among knitters and crocheters, but there are ways to prevent it. Here are some tips to help you avoid discomfort while enjoying your craft:

1. Use proper posture: When you’re knitting or crocheting, make sure you sit up straight and keep your shoulders relaxed. Avoid hunching over your work and keep your wrists in a neutral position.
2. Take breaks: Knitting and crocheting for long periods of time can lead to hand and wrist pain, so it’s important to take frequent breaks. Stretch your hands and arms, and give your eyes a rest from looking at your work.
3. Use ergonomic tools: There are many ergonomic tools available for knitters and crocheters, such as ergonomic knitting needles, crochet hooks, and wrist supports. These tools can help reduce the stress on your hands and wrists and prevent pain. Check out mindfulknits’ ombre ergonomic crochet hooks here!
4. Vary your grip: Try to alternate between different grips while knitting or crocheting to give your hands and wrist a break. Using a loose grip can also help reduce tension in your hands and wrist.
5. Stretch your hands: Regularly stretch and massage your hands to help improve circulation and reduce tension. You can also soak your hands in warm water to help relieve any discomfort.
6. Avoid repetitive motions: If you notice that you’re performing the same motion repeatedly, take a break and stretch your hands and wrist. This will help prevent repetitive stress injuries.

By following these tips, you can enjoy your knitting and crochet, and minimize pain. You’ll be able to enjoy the mental health benefits of knitting while maintaining your physical health — both are extremely important! Remember to listen to your body and take breaks when you need to.

Happy mindful-knitting!