A Nerd That Knits

stitcherywitchery:

Somebody suggested that we include advice on our blog about how to avoid knitting- and crochet-related injuries.  We thought it was a good idea and are devoting this week’s Tutorial to this theme.

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It may seem hard to believe, but it’s true:  Knitting and crocheting, like any kind of repetitive hand movement, can lead to repetitive stress injuries, including carpal tunnel syndrome.  

Preventing repetitive stress injuries is generally easier than treating them once they’ve occurred.  New knitters and crocheters (and even old pros) should know this and learn what steps they can take to prevent an injury that could keep them from their projects for weeks or longer.

The following are good practices to employ immediately:

1.  Take breaks.  Lots of them.  This isn’t always easy, of course, especially when you’re making a gift that needs to be given tomorrow, or you’re super excited about a new pattern.  But marathon knitting or crochet sessions do your body no favors.  No matter what kind of deadline you’re on, every thirty minutes or so get up. Stretch.  Walk around a bit.  Get a glass of water.

2.  Knitters should use circular needles for large projects like afghans.  Straight needles get very heavy, every fast, under lots of wool and can strain your hands and arms.

3.  Employ good posture.  One life’s greatest pleasures is to find a big squashy chair and slouch into it while knitting.  Unfortunately, it’s also terrible for your back and arms.  Find a supportive chair, sit up straight, and keep your feet on the floor.   

4.  Keep your body, especially your arms and hands, relaxed.  This can be difficult for new crafters in particular who might reflexively tense up their shoulders, hands, and fingers because they’re nervous about making a mistake.  But if your shoulders, back, or hands are tense, and you stay that way for hours, you can increase your risk for a repetitive stress injury.  

For additional advice on how to avoid and even treat crafting-related repetitive stress injuries, this link and this one are helpful.  And the very helpful llamastash, one of this blog’s followers, has shared this link with us, which provides pictures of stretches that can help relieve pain if you’ve already hurt yourself.

Good luck, and happy (injury-free) crafting!

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(And because I’m an attorney, here’s a disclaimer: We compiled this post from our experiences, our friends’ experiences, and helpful websites.  This post should not be viewed as a substitute a doctor’s advice.  We’re crafters, not physicians. :)  If you’re seriously injured, please make an appointment with a doctor for an evaluation.)

I do the complete opposite of all of these…oops.

Ok so a rather cute guy walking his dog just walked past my window in the most gorgeous fair ilse sweater and I really had to resist the urge not to run out and rip it off him in order to replicate the pattern. Damn my love of jumpers!!

(Source: a-nerd-that-knits)

scarymerry:

I want to one day get an Angora rabbit. Their fur is sooooo sooooft and makes such fantastic yarn. I want to learn how to spin yarn and then get an Angora rabbit and then I will have a lovely bunny friend who will also provide me with yarn-making material. Yessss. Good.

And just look at this fluffy booger:

And apparently breeders like to sell them to people like me who want to spin yarn from their fur, because then they know that the rabbit’s wool will be harvested as soon as possible, so the rabbit won’t eat its fur, think its full and doesn’t need to eat, and then starve to death.

OMG reblogging for how absolutely freaking adorable that rabbit is. I wouldn’t be allowed one cos I’d squeeze it to death!! SOOOO CUTE!!! They are cuter than lion head rabbits! And yanno added bonus of being able to spin yarn from their fur :D

I love how wooden or bamboo needles look. They are very aesthetically pleasing, especially rosewood needles, but my god are they a bitch to knit with. Seriously, sooo not worth it. I’ve tried using bamboo needles and the wool just snagged and it was hard to move the stitches. I don’t get the benefits of them and yet loads of people seem to love them. Can someone please explain this to me?

Especially when it’s a p1, k1b and for an entire freaking jumper!

However it’s rowan wool which is beautiful and the jumper is gonna be soooooo nice!

(Source: a-nerd-that-knits)