7 Health Tips for Knitters

How to Knit with Joy and Completely Ache Free

Although knitting is a great pastime and it is even recommended for people suffering from pains in their hands, if performed incorrectly, it can lead to pains and stiffness in your hands, arms, neck and upper back.

What happens when knitting is that you are spending a lot of time hunched over your work, while in a sitting position. Knitting can make people forget about the time and knit away from hours. Therefore, it comes as no surprise that knitters can develop quite a bit of discomforts after a while.

Here are 7 health tips that will help you indulge in your favorite activity with the same joy as always.

Tip #1: Take breaks. As is the case with any other repetitive activity, it is very important to take breaks from time to time. It allows your body to rest or change position. This can help a lot with the pains particular to knitting.

Tip #2: Sit correctly. When knitting, you may feel tempted to hunch over your needles. However, this is what puts undesired strain on your muscles in the neck and back. Sit on a chair with the feet on the floor, and keep your back straight.

Tip #3: Exercise your fingers and wrists. Gently stretch and bend your wrists and your fingers to ensure proper blood circulation in your hands.

Tip #4: Protect your lower back. One area that is particularly subjected to strain when knitting is your lower back. Place a cushion or a rolled up sweater at the small of your back, and you will knit for hours without experience the usual pains.

Tip #5: Go for light needles. There is no need to strain your hands more than needed. Get some light needles for your work.

Tip #6: Keep your moves small. Make sure that the yarn is close to the tips of the needles to avoid any biggish moves.

Tip #7: Change knitting styles. For avid knitters, it can be a good idea to learn to switch easily between English and Continental knitting styles. The changing of styles will allow you to keep on stitching while reducing the risk of repetitive strain.

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