How much do you knit?

Canada
September 22, 2008 2:47pm CST
I used to knit all of the time - an every spare minute sort of thing because I like to keep my hands busy. Unfortunately, this resulted in carpal tunnel, so now I am being more careful because I don't want to have to have surgery. I still knit, though. I am working on my Christmas presents - this year I am making dishclothes and mini stockings so I plan to knit for about an hour every day.
6 responses
• United States
22 Sep 08
Knitting can become quite obsessive for me. Just one more row, I tell myself. And then two hours have passed. I try to limit my knitting for when I'm watching t.v. in the evening. That way I have an external reminder to stop. Otherwise I could knit all night. It's a great hobby, but locking your arms in that position and the repetitive nature of it can lead to a lot of problems. Sometimes you just have to put it down and walk away. During the warmer months I don't knit at all. It's too hot under the fabric. But in the winter when blankets always feel nice and cozy, a piece of knitting can be a lovely addition. I like to do scarvess and shawls. Clothes elude me. I just don't have the patience for the blocking and the work involved in doing a sweater. Not to mention if you want to make a piece for a normal sized adult on size 2 (U.S.) needles, it's infuriating. Give me a nice rectangle I can bind off and finish up. Never understimate the value of a scarf. :)
• Canada
24 Sep 08
I'm familiar with the 'just one more row' idea. This is what has me knitting all of the time. I've done clothes before, but the yarn for a sweater is a bit beyond my budget. I like to make fingerless gloves, toys, etc. Small things that take a ball of yarn.
1 person likes this
• United States
29 Sep 08
My knitted hat is off to you. Gloves are a challenge. Those fingers require so much increasing and decreasing, etc. I won't even go with mittens, they scare me so much. Is it just me or has yarn gotten more expensive? And the quality has gone down. I look at blankets and things my mother made for me with "cheap" yarn a long time ago and the quality difference is immense. But, there is something about starting with a string and ending up with a beautiful piece of fabric. It's almost magical to change something like that. Knitting needles as magic wands? :)
• United States
6 Feb 12
Keeping your hands moving is a wonderful thing. Knitting and crochet are a bit of a double edged sword on that issue though. So much of the work is detail, that your hands seize up, but if you don't keep the joints moving, they do the same thing. Have you tried finger exercises? Just moving the joints one by one and stretching them out? If you timed it every so many rows, it might help with those late night knitting sessions. Though, I am one to talk. I'm as guilty as anyone about that.
@Loverbear (4918)
• United States
23 Sep 08
I have had to have two carpal tunnel surgeries. The surgery has progressed so much since my first one. I was laid up for two weeks with the first one and then had about a week of rehab. The second one, which was on my left and non-dominant hand. It was wrapped up for seven days and I didn't need any rehab on it because I was able to use it while it was recovering from being cut. Before the surgery I got the hand eze gloves that helped A LOT! It puts gentle pressure on the tendons and for some reason they don't swell. It helped since not only am I an avid knitter but I also make and sell artist teddy bears. I just started needle felting and am thoroughly enjoying it and having a ball planning projects and finding supplies. Try the hand eze glove, they do help.
• Canada
24 Sep 08
Thanks for the tip. Right now, I have a wrist brace that I try to keep on whenever I am not doing something with my fingers.
@peavey (16936)
• United States
23 Sep 08
Like you, I used to knit all of the time. My shoulders won't allow me to now, so I have to be careful how much time I spend knitting. I can sometimes get carried away with it and spend hours at it, then I pay for it the next day.
• Ireland
22 Sep 08
I love knitting and I was once addicted to it. I couldn't go anywhere without it. Sometimes if I couldn't sleep, I would get up and start knitting. I used to knit traditional aran sweaters for all my family and when they no longer wanted them, I just knit them and sold them on eBay. I have since got interested in other crafts and hobbies so now I do very little knitting. I will probably do a little a little bit when the dark evenings set in but I will only knit small things. Best of luck with your Christmas presents and take care of your hands.
@angelsmummy (1696)
12 Jul 12
I know Im late in responding to this discussion, but wanted to say, I knit for about 5 hours a day at the very least. I am addicted!! I love knitting it brings me so much joy. I make booties for preemies and when i have around 100 pairs I give half to a local charity shop and half to the local hospital. This way it means I get to indulge in my favorite pasttime and people get help from it too!! Having read through the previous comments I wasnt aware that knitting could lead to problems in the hands I will definatly be prtecting my joints from now on. I have only been knitting for about 2 years but in that time I have got really good at it and really enjoy it. I make things for people for Christmas and Birthdays too, well started that last year. I have just started my list of presents for this Christmas and will be making booties in between :)
• United States
15 Oct 11
i used to knit all the time also but then my life picked up and got busy and i do not have the time to knit as i once did and i really miss it i also like to keep my hands busy and it is hard for me to keep them still but does knitting really cause carpal tunnel? that is something that i would really like to avoid i will have to check into that because i type on the computer working for hours everyday and that would probable cause carpal tunnel also i think dishclothes and stockings would make a great Christmas present