Crochet and knitting have enjoyed a 21st century resurgence in young, new crafters and in older women returning to the art. Sometimes, though, continuing the hobby isn't worth the pain of using the hooks and needles when osteoarthritis (OA) sets in. Reports show, however, that continuing to yarn craft improves flexibility and dexterity in painful joints, so here are some methods and tools to help you continue your crafting efforts.
What is OA?
OA is a type of joint disease that occurs when cartilage, the buffer between bones, is reduced. This causes bones to rub together, which is felt as pain, stiffness and poor range of motion. According to the CDC, OA or related early joint pain affects nearly one third of people in the United States. The hand is one of the most common places that OA occurs, and many factors (e.g., older age, obesity, repetitive stress) increase the risk of its development.
How OA Affects Knitters
Gripability of needles can be greatly reduced with the pain and stiffness of arthritis, and the limited range of motion in affected joints makes it hard to coordinate the movement of needles and yarn tension. These expected OA symptoms cause not only these impairments but also a reduced level of ability and increased frustration with what should be a relaxing hobby. Greater stress and discouragement cause many knitters with joint pain to simply throw in the towel.
Behavioral Changes to Improve Knitting Ability
Knitters do not need to give up their craft entirely when OA occurs. Some simple changes to your knitting routine may be enough to reduce OA symptoms, at least for a short time. Try these suggestions to adapt to knitting with joint pain:
- Most people with arthritis have times during the day that symptoms are at their lowest. Plan to knit during these periods.
- Plan your craft time just after taking pain medications so that symptoms, if they do develop, will be milder.
- Heat your joints in warm water or with a heating pad before starting to knit.
- Move the needles slowly, and work in short time periods with frequent breaks and stretches.
- Vary projects so that fingers don't have as much exact repetitive motion.
- Prop your project on a pillow or other support, and use circular needles that spread out the project, so that the weight of the finished yarn does not add stress to the finger and hand joints.
Adaptive Devices to Improve Knitting Ability
In addition to the physical changes, newer craft and joint tools can make knitting easier. For example, using fingerless arthritis gloves can add mild pressure to the painful joints and retain heat to increase range of motion during knitting.
Try new types of knitting needles to see which ones are the least painful to use. Bamboo and other natural-wood needles are warmer than steel and are more lightweight, both of which reduce stress on arthritic joints. Another new set of needles, the speed stix, offer light weight and the ability to complete a project in a short time---both useful ways to reduce symptoms of OA during knitting. Base needles that connect to proper head and cord sizes may be enough to improve comfort and reduce joint stress. Read more about these types of needles in the article, Interchangeable Knitting Needles, by Kate Pullen.
If you'd rather not purchase new tools yet, you can try to adapt your existing set with enlarged grips, which may be easier to hold and move. Try foam curlers and rubber bands wrapped around the needle grips to decrease tension on the finger joints.
Continuing to knit with OA symptoms may be challenging, but there are many good reasons to give it a try. Adapations, from simple solutions to clever new tools, can help you complete your latest project with minimal frustration.
References
Arthritis Today: Make Needlework Finger-Friendly
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