Knitting 🧶

[Soundofmusic52]

Well I have never knitted in my life so now I have retired I thought I would give it a go and I am surprised how it has helped me through my bad days it takes my mind off pain which luckily is not in my hands I am really into it told all the family scarfs for Xmas 🎄 pressies this year 🤣I have to rest my hands some days but I do really enjoy it so don’t knock it give it a go 🤣K1 P1 drop a stitch 🤣

[Hidden]

Good for you . I’ve tried … a disaster.. goodness knows how I end up with so many more stitches . One teacher decided to teach children all about wool from start to finish needless to say I didn’t help with the knitting part 😂😂

[Fruitandnutcase in reply to Hidden]

Goodness, I think we have a lot in common J1707 - see my post congratulating Soundofmusic52.

[Boxerlady]

I knitted a lot when I was younger and took it up again about 5 years ago when my Mum died and I inherited her knitting bag. Made several jumpers after getting started on baby clothes for the hospital.

Since my RA diagnosis 2 years ago I haven't tried again as I didn't want to strain my hands; I can become a bit obsessive when deep into an interesting pattern! 😂

Interestingly, I was thinking yesterday that I could do with a white summer cardigan and remembered that I was half way through knitting one before I gave it up. Maybe I should dig it out and try again 🤔

[Gnarli in reply to Boxerlady]

😃

[charisma]

Enjoy! I love knitting too. Biggest thing I did was Afghan size, about half the size of a double bed. Lovely lace leaf design that I wanted to attempt. Came out very well.

I learned at school when I was about nine. Knitted a few things for my children then nothing for many years. Took it up again about the time grandchildren were arriving… really got into it!

Now, swan neck deformity in middle finger of one hand, ulnar drift in the other… can knit but only with great difficulty and so slow.. can’t keep the yarn to tension with that middle finger anymore.

Post some pics now and then if you don’t mind; would love to see your work! 👏🙂 🧶

[achyknitter]

Over the years I have been given a lot of unsolicited advice on helping RA usually from people who do not have RA and if their advice is anything to go by do not have a clue. However one of the very few helpful recommendations was to take up knitting - just for a few rows at a time to start with. Little did I realise the dangers of my new hobby. My enthusiasm knows no bounds. I have cupboards full of wool just waiting to be used. I am the proud owner of yarn winders, blocking mats, stitch markers to say nothing of knitting needles and yarn bowls of various designs and sizes. Then there are specialist wool shops, wool festivals and even knitting holidays and cruises. Perhaps it would have been more sensible just to add finger exercises to my daily workout.

[Mmrr]

I knitted a lot many years ago and loved it. I still have an arran sweater that I knitted 40 years ago, and still wear it on occasions.Unfortunately I can't knit now due to my shoulder and neck issues, but it is a really relaxing and creative hobby to have. Enjoy.

[MadBunny]

I love knitting- been doing it since my teens. I don't do as much as I used to as it does make my hands ache.

[gilox in reply to MadBunny]

Try crochet! I used to knit a lot, but R.A. made it difficult, so thought I’d give crochet a try, am now addicted! Have a Summerhouse now christened “ the wool shack”, if you decide to give it a go, try hooks with the moulded grips ,knit pro are the best.

[MadBunny in reply to gilox]

Thank you . I do crochet. I started making a blanket out of flower shapes during the first lockdown, but I've yet to finish it. I really enjoyed it as I could do a little bit at a time and add to it as I wish. I tried the hooks with the grips but couldn't get on with them. Yes it is very addictive 😁🐰

[Gnarli in reply to gilox]

I do crochet and really enjoy making blankets and amigarumi dolls and toys. Problem is that it makes my wrists hurt if I do it for too long

[Sheila_G]

Well done. If it works for you that is great. I find it affects my shoulders. I must have a strange technique.😀

[KateK in reply to Sheila_G]

I found this happened to me until I started using circular needles. You have to hold them differently so no tucking them under my arms and bending my neck down and getting achy shoulders.

[Sheila_G in reply to KateK]

That's a great tip. Thank you.

[Caza]

My mum was a brilliant knitter. When we had to knit a pair of mittens at school, my mum impatient with me, took over & finished them off. My teacher obviously knew I hadn’t knitted the perfectly pair of mittens, so she got me to show all the girls in the class how it was done 😱. I’ve taken up knitting Baby clothes & blankets. I find it really relaxing & takes my mind of other things. Also I’m finding it really good exercise for my hands. I did order, during lockdown after wine 🍷 O Clock 3 50gms of wool. They duly arrived I’d ordered 3 500gms 🤦‍♀️ Dreadful quality hence the price. I gave them to my local school who were thrilled.

[msp66]

My Mum taught me to knit and crochet when I was very young.I knitted baby clothes when my children were babies (now in their 30's) and I have knitted a couple of jumpers / cardigans for myself. I knit very slowly and get bored quickly so making clothes for myself takes ages.

I now prefer crochet as my projects seem to grow faster and I don't have so many stitches to keep track of, this also means when my hands hurt I can just stop and rest then pick it back up later.

[MadBunny in reply to msp66]

My mum taught me to knit when I was very young too. I always had a project on the go.I remember making mohair jumpers when they were very fashionable . I loved them as they were so fluffy.

[jools34 in reply to msp66]

I love my crochet, I make lots of blankets and little toys for my grandchildren, when I started I could only do it for about 30 or so minutes because my fingers would start to ache, but now I can work for maybe 3 hours so it must help using them . Plus it help me unwind 😍

[sylvi]

Good you go on and do it. xxxx

[Deeb1764]

I have been given a mountain of wool and needles from my Mum but hands been a nightmare but maybe maybe I might try to restart but I was never a neat knitter !

[Gilliancheche]

I have made a point of knitting in order to try to keep my fingers and wrists mobile. I knit most evenings. I also taught myself to crochet during the first lock down by watching on line videos. Some days I do simple stuff like knitting bobble hats. I have also done a few Aran cardigans where concentration is essential. It is an activity that i can manage when my knees and shoulders rule out everything else!

[Ozzy]

I have taken up knitting again after stopping as to painful but I now use bamboo needles and chunky wool. The final results give my family lots to laugh about as they tend to be very large!! But I am still trying.

[Gnarli]

Oooh a new recruit. I find knitting an almost meditative hobby that keeps my hands moving. I certainly have more stiffness if I've done less knitting.

[Soundofmusic52]

Big thanks to all of you as I sit here in my garden starting knitting mittens now things can only get better ❤️‍🩹 x☀️🤞

[Gnarli in reply to Soundofmusic52]

We should have warned you that it's addictive. Next thing you know, you'll be hiding your stash of yarn all over the house so your other half doesn't know exactly how much you spend on your knitting

[Soundofmusic52 in reply to Gnarli]

Very true getting a few balls of wool and needles now 🤣

[Empress30 in reply to Gnarli]

OMG SO TRUE! I could open a shop. I'm using variegated blanket yarn now. Love how it comes out If my hands get tired I just pick it up later.

[Gnarli in reply to Empress30]

😄

[Caza in reply to Gnarli]

🤣

[Hidden in reply to Soundofmusic52]

😂good luck post your results 😁

[Empress30]

That sounds great! I crochet it's great. I can pick it up and put it down when I want. I just liked making blankets and throws. My daughter uses looms she makes alot of things even pumpkins. I have basket of them I put out for the Fall.Have fun!🤪