Exercises for knitters and crocheters

Wednesday 12th December 2018

Tags:

  [caption id="attachment_1599" align="aligncenter" width="640"] As much as we all love our craft it does involve an awful lot of sitting and working in one position, so it is especially important for us that we make sure we keep our wrists supple and pay attention to our posture.
Here are a few tips if you find yourself getting stiff or uncomfortable.
Get up and move around – we are told to get up from our desks at work at regular intervals and the same thing applies to knitters and crocheters. Try to move from your seat once an hour.
Make sure you are sitting properly – lounging on the sofa with your hook or needles may feel comfortable but really isn’t good for you long term.  Try to sit up straight in a supportive chair with good support under your thighs. If you have been working on a big project and you find your elbows are aching a bit, have a break and when you start again, consider putting a cushion under your elbow to take the strain. For knitters you might like to learn the continental method to vary which muscles you are using.
Stretch – there are lots of ways to release tension in your hands and wrists but here are our favourites.  Please don’t continue with these stretches if you experience pain.
Shake out your arms and spread out your hands before making tight fists.  Repeat as much as you like.
Stretch out one arm and make a fist pointing downwards.  Using your other hand, gently pull the fist towards you.  Repeat with the other hand.
Raise your arm with your palm up as if you were telling someone to stop, spreading your fingers.  With the other hand, gently pull the fingers towards you.  Repeat on the other side.
Place your hands facing forwards on a table while standing, making sure your fingers are spread out.  Gently lean on them and rock backwards and forwards.
Now move your hands so they are pointing out to the side and repeat the gentle rocking motion from side to side.
Now rotate your hands towards you and rock gently, lifting your wrists.
If you find these stretches don’t help, it is well worth visiting a physiotherapist who can look closer at your posture and technique.[/caption]            

Archives