Ouch

I was recently asked how I deal with thumb pain from knitting. I have some pain but it’s not bad considering how much and how long I have been knitting. Mostly I use ice.

I think I have less than I might have because I am a continental knitter. This is me knitting – K4, P4.

I learned this method in university, taught by my friend Ruth who had been taught to knit by her german neighbour. I used to have to use every finger of both hands to finish a stitch! I have refined it over the decades of knitting.

I now have problems with my shoulders. I’m sure it doesn’t have anything to do with knitting for hours without taking a break!!!

My solution is to knit several different ways to give my hands and shoulders a change of position. Every other method of knitting is slower, of course, but I try to keep in mind that it is helping, along with exercises and ice packs.

I am knitting, or actually purling, my log cabin squares.

This is certainly easier on my right thumb because all my right hand is doing is holding yarn threaded through my middle fingers for the tension. I also sit differently and my hand movements are not anything like my regular knitting.

My other project is a sock.

I’m using the Irish Cottage throwing method here. I’m limited because I can’t purl this way yet and only seem able to work it on double pointed needles. But it does work if I am patient with my slow speed. New methods take quite a long time to be comfortable.

I chose a method to go with one project, to keep myself honest. The awkwardness does test my resolve to stick with it.

There are many different ways to knit. I hope that working this way will keep me knitting for many more years, as pain-free as possible.

Cheers, Deb

Any Gauge and Gauge-free knitting patterns by Deb : https://www.ravelry.com/stores/debgemmellmods

Cabin Fever patterns: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/sources/cabin-fevers-ravelry-store

Debgemmell435 on YouTube