Take Care of Your Hands

yowza_keyhole_body_WIP

When I got the chance to really focus on this sweater, it seemed to fly off my needles. I thought to myself, “I can have the body done by Wednesday! I could model it for a blog post.” Sadly, as you can see by the incomplete sweater body in the photo, things didn’t go according to plan. Earlier this week my left hand became achey and unhappy so I’ve been trying to avoid knitting too much. It’s not fun. I think the issue is that my hands get really stiff when they get cold and then I strain the muscles in my hand by marathon knitting like that. This is the second time I’ve had sore hands, and both times the discomfort has shown up after doing a lot of knitting in a cold room. I need to be more mindful so it doesn’t happen again!


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16 responses to “Take Care of Your Hands”

  1. This is SUCH a timely post for me! I’ve just strained my wrist/forearm on one arm from too much marathon knitting (and probably too much mouse-use and typing). It’s a huge bummer to have to take a break from knitting to heal up. Hope you feel better soon!!

  2. Regan Coker

    I had RSI from too much knitting – very sad -I took a good break and am now careful how much I do in a day.

  3. oh no! that might be worth getting looked at by a doctor- maybe you nee dot wear a wrist guard or, do something a little differently to prevent the strain. I hope you’re back to normal soon!

    1. Yeah, even though I think I know what’s going on, I’m going to bring it up to my doctor. I have a check up next week, and it’d be silly to not mention it to her.

  4. I can imagine how horrible this would be for you! I have a problem with cold hands and tried this hand warmer things. I think they’re for campers/outdoors “peoples”. A square that you bend that releases heat. They really help me. Maybe they can also be of help with aches too? Heres a link.

    http://www.amazon.com/HotHands-Hand-Warmers-40-pairs/dp/B0007ZF4OA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1394054776&sr=8-1&keywords=handwarmers

    1. Jodi

      Sorry to hear Andi. These handwarmers work great (having used them after skiing). A co-worker sewed some this size with rice inside for a more sustainable (and fashionable) solution. She pops them in the microwave and they are great.

  5. Oh no! I feel your pain, especially when marathon knitting! I actually just finished your Chuck sweater and I have a blister on my right middle finger because I have a bad habit of rubbing my needles against it as I go. Maybe a wrist guard would help as Julie said above, I’ve seen them in the knitting section but wasn’t sure if they actually would help!
    Amia

  6. Ouch 🙁 Did you know that there are special crochet gloves for better blood circulation? I’ve been thinking about buying a pair to protect my hands, I mean: just imagine never being able to knit again! You can also do some hand-stretching exercises before and after knitting, or massaging your hands with handlotion. I hope this helps!

    1. I’ve never heard of those before. It sounds like something to look into!

  7. Or you could knit some fingerless mittens to keep your hands warm and your fingers nimble 🙂

    Knitting induced injuries are the worst, especially because they inevitably involve not knitting as part of the healing. Hope they feel better soon.

    1. Yes! I only have two or three pairs and they’ve been getting worn quite a bit.

  8. ouch! i have stopped knitting for a bit as my carpal tunnel which started when i was pregnant has flared up badly. i think it was as a result of knitting socks on small lace needles over christmas. i am planning a worsted weight cardigan (probably a miette) when they are better as the larger bamboo needles didn’t cause such an issue. i am actually thinking of changing my knitting style (i knit british style) and learning eastern european knitting as i think the lack for “throwing” might help a lot – and it looks so quick!

  9. Kalin

    I always keep a stress ball in my knitting bag to work out my hands pre-knitting like you would warm up for a workout. Then after I do a set of hand stretches that I found online. It helps a lot! Gotta take care of your knitting fingers!

  10. I know how you feel. My hands suffer the same fate when I do the same things. My shoulders and arms sometimes get sore as well.

    Rest up and massage the muscles. Get well soon!

  11. Maureen Martinek

    Hi Andi,

    I’m sorry your hands hurt. You must knit really quickly (and I think you’re right about the cold too) for your hands to hurt. I’m such a slow knitter that the only thing that hurts me is my head. Oh, I do find my shoulders up around my ears at times too!

    What kind of sweater is your partial project (orange) going to become? I ask because I am making (very slowly) a cardigan for my sister and the arm holes aren’t anything like the size of those in your project. I’m afraid if one more thing goes wrong with the cardigan I will burn it in the front yard.

    Do you knit in Continental or English(is it English?) style?

    I just have to say that I really like your hair cut.

    Thanks. I downloaded your Miette. It’s casual and cute. Very versatile.

    Maureen Martinek

    1. I wouldn’t stress over your armholes based on this picture. The sweater is scrunched up on the needles and curling in, and it’s hard to judge proportions from a photo like that!

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