If arthritis has forced you to put down needlework, take heart. Better yet, take notes. New tools and smart tricks can help you meld arthritis, knitting, cross-stitch and crocheting. You’ll not only create sweaters and afghans, you also might increase hand dexterity, says Theresa Leto, an occupational therapist and instructor at the University of Findlay in Ohio.
Leto suggests approaching needlework as an athletic event. “Warm up your hand in some way first.” Soaking hands and wrists in warm water prior to picking up a needle helps some of her patients. Then approach the activity like a sprinter, not a marathoner, and stitch in short sessions. Here are more smart needlework tricks from the experts.
Got arthritis? Knitting’s still doable
Trick # 1
Try alternatives to metal needles, such as birch or bamboo needles, which are lightweight and warmer to the touch.
Trick # 2
Stick with wool or wool blends. Wool is elastic and more forgiving than cotton and other fibers, which makes them easier to manipulate.
Trick # 3
Knit flat on a circular needle. Even if you don’t need to make a tube, the circular shape allows the weight of the sweater to fall in your lap, not off your wrist.
Got arthritis? Crochet away
Trick # 1
Use flexible, flattened and square crochet hooks. They are easier to hold than traditional round hooks.
Trick # 2
Add a foam sheath or wrap a rubber band around the hook handle a few times. It will prevent the hook from slipping your grip, and you’ll use less force to hold them.
Trick # 3
Ask experts to watch your moves. Experts at a needlework shop can suggest adjustments for yarn tension and other ways to ease stiffness and increase nimbleness.
Got arthritis? Cross-stitch like a pro
Trick # 1
Try leather- or rubber- fingertip thimbles. You’ll increase traction without tightly pinching the needle.
Trick # 2
Work on a project with broader linen weave. It will reduce strain from fine finger work.
Trick # 3
Try embroidery hoops with clamps. You can attach them to a table or the arm of a chair and loosen your grip – and tension – on the hoop itself.
For crochet: use the over-the-top hold on the hook, not like holding a pencil. The motion of the fingers is much less and you can spare the small joints by using more of the larger joints.
For sewing: I find that most of the stress of hand sewing comes with trying to pull the needle through many layers. If you can find a pair of tiny pliers (from toy tool kits), use them to pull the needle through, not your fingers. You might snap a few needles in the learning process but you'll soon learn the touch necessary to pull without stress on the needle.
Happy crafting!
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#1. Ergonomic Aluminum Crochet Handle. It can be found in most sewing/craft stores.
#2. Rotary Cutter that changes the position of your hand.
#3. I'm requesting electric scissors for my birthday.
For machine sewing, I use (believe it or not) tongue depressors or wide craft sticks on either side of the fabric to guide it through the feed. A friend of mine who has worse problems with her fingers because of RA, used a third stick at the bottom to form a three-sided "block", then she glued felt on one side. She found this easier as she could just form and L shape with her thumb and forefinger to guide the fabric through.
I also use the colonial or self-threading style machine needles to make threading much easier.
I have found that putting a two inch wide strip of paper tape (medical supplies) across the area that hurts seems to give it the support it needs to allow me to continue without pain.
I also use this tape on just the front of my knees for added support. It really helps me.
a computor. I feel like I cannot go on any longer - the pain is just too much. Nobody seems to understand. I feel like I am alone in my Osteo Arthritis dilemma. Should I still type? The doctor told me 6 years ago that my hands are very bad - no cartlidge left in my fingers. I already had an operation to "fuse" my one finger.
Thanks for any help.
What is the best way to protect hands and fingers besides resting every half hour.
Thank you for your help
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