If you have started to notice any tiredness, stiffness, or discomfort when you knit, here are some top tips to ease your aches and pains.
Maintain good posture
Good posture is an essential element of ergonomic knitting, so ensure you are sitting in a comfortable chair that allows your shoulders to relax and your elbows to sit comfortably at your side. It is also important to choose a chair that doesn’t allow you to slouch or strain your neck.
Take regular breaks
Although it can be all too easy to get caught up in the flow when you are enjoying working on a project, it is important to take regular breaks to stand up, walk around, and gently stretch your wrists and hands.
Consider using ergonomic tools
There are a number of ergonomic tools available that can provide extra support, including seat cushions and compression gloves. You may find that full compression gloves are suitable when working with super chunky yarn; however, if you are working on a more intricate project, fingerless options may be preferable.
If you want to browse a selection of wool options, including chunkier yarns, visit The Wool Couture Company or another stockist.
Experiment with different knitting needles
Knitting has experienced a resurgence in popularity, in part thanks to Olympic champion Tom Daley’s commitment to knitting poolside during competitive events.
One of the first things you learn when you start knitting is that there is a range of types and sizes of knitting needles. If you are working on a large project that is starting to get quite heavy and straining your wrists and hands, switching to circular knitting needles may be beneficial. This is because most of the weight will pull on the flexible cable and sit neatly in your lap.
Minimise motion
Repetitive movements can put a strain on our hands, so minimising motion when creating stitches can help reduce the chance of experiencing discomfort. There are a variety of ergonomic knitting styles that you could try, including styles that use the tip of the needle to pick the yarn using small movements.
