I love #knitting, but I can't seem to achieve even a fraction of the speed that other knitters work at. On top of that, if I knit for too long, my elbows start to hurt.
I'm going to try out #weaving with my mom's old loom, and I'm hoping that this will be easier for me.
I'm also considering saving up for a knitting machine, since I really do love the fabric that knitting produces.
@leafygreens@knitting@fiberarts I do encourage you to try out different ways of holding the yarn, diff positions, etc. this reminded me of a friend who once said "I should stop knitting because the tip of the needle hurts my fingertip when I push it to slide the yarn off." (She didn't know there was another way to do it)
Having said that - I totally get stress positions taking the fun out of it too and you should always do what makes you feel good even if it's moving on to different crafts.
@leafygreens@knitting@fiberarts There are many different ways to knit. There is no single "right" way. I tried (needle) knitting and found it to be difficult, slow, and frustrating. Later, I tried loom knitting. It's been around for a long time.
At first I tried a craft loom from a discount store. It was easy, fast, and produced nice fabic. I immedately made a blanket for a full sized bed. Then I wanted a better loom. That was 10 years ago and haven't stopped. Now I use both methods.
When I was having some trouble with my hands, I saw an occupational therapist who made me a splint that made holding knitting needles much easier (and a different splint entirely for holding a crochet hook)
There are several different styles of knitting (the position and movement of fingers, arms, etc.), so there may be one which is easier on your body than others.
I was trying knitting on my train commute to work, and rather than flapping both elbows (the way I was taught) and discomforting the passengers beside me, I found a variation which nearly eliminated elbow and arm motion, and also was significantly faster.
(I think it was "modified Continental")
The only downside was the number of ladies who felt they needed to tell this guy that he was knitting wrongly 😂
The way I knit is... niche, shall we say, even though it's a traditional way, and I've had so many people try to tell me I'm being weird. My take is always if your fabric and tension are good, then lay off.
@leafygreens@knitting@fiberarts Definitely listen to your body. I blew out both elbows, thumbs, wrists, etc., before being diagnosed #hypermobile (plus host of other things) but the damage was done. Thanks to an amazing surgeon, physiatrist, and PT, I can knit and game again! But I have to take breaks and do stretches and strengthening exercises. I use pillows to prop up my arms and take some weight off, and alternate English, Continental, and Portuguese.
Add comment