Question for the knitters out there!

[#1]

How many hours a day do you knit?
In order to keep my shop updated as often as possible, and get the orders I have done (I don't take orders on etsy but I do take them from people I know) I try to knit at least two or three hours a day...but after a while my left wrist starts hurting...I know wrist pain is common among knitters...what do you do?

[Former_Member]

I don't knit much, only to take a break from crocheting, but I can crochet 6-8 hours a day easily, if needed. My hands used to get tired at first, but now they are used to it and don't feel it much.

I do take constant breaks - like every 20 mins or so, and stretch hands or walk around or just do something else for a bit. I also have slower days when I work on other stuff and only crochet for 2 hours, to give my hands a break.

It's also important to find needles/hooks that are comfortable for you. I hate plastic needles for knitting, or any needles where the stitches don't slide super easily - I find it requires so much more effort that is unnecessary. For crochet too, I tried out many different brand hooks until I settled on one that feels super smooth when working, where the stitches keep flying off instead of catching.

Someone a while ago suggested to work out your hands with light weights every day, because when your hands get stronger, your crocheting or knitting endurance will increase as well.

[EmeraldWellspring]

i used to love the metal needles, loana! the clinking was music too me. :) these days i'm more of a fan of bamboo, though.

[Untwistedsister]

I don't knit except for pleasure but any repetitive hand use (including mousing on the computer) can cause a repetitive stress injury. The exercises shared here are GREAT. Take frequent breaks just to stretch your muscles and change their tension if only for 30 seconds will help too. And posture makes a difference.

[IoanaStefArt]

Alisha, that is so true!
I used to prefer the metals, but something just changed....maybe bamboo came into our lifes :)

[Former_Member]

I have problems with my right hand while knitting as I usually use very thin yarn and thin needles. I need to take breaks and do some exercises. I also can knit longer when I have some sort of support under my elbow.
And I have to avoid surfing net and using a computer mouse too often. A computer mouse, a crochet hook and a french doll cause problems with my thumb and palm.

[OliCreations]

Thank you so much to everyone for all the helpful tips! I think I'm going to rest my wrists for a few days (no knitting allowed) since the pain has become quite annoying and then start doing breaks and exercises while I work...and try to use plastic or bamboo needles (I love plastic ones but only when the yarn slides easily on them and that usually depends on the yarn and the bamboo ones I must have a really crappy quality cause they keep giving me splinters...)

[Former_Member]

As someone who has been crocheting professionally (for a living) for the past 10 years, I work about 8 - 10 hours per day with a hook in hand.

But I will have a number of different projects on the go at one time and will be using different techniques and/or hook sizes throughout the day.

If I'm working with one hook for the entire time, the repetitive strain is terrible!

I've found that the key is to take breaks every hour or so even if its just for a few minutes and to use needles and hooks that you are comfortable with.

[SelkieCrochet]

oh please try and take it easy!

I had to give up knitting in the end as I got awful tendonitis (tennis elbow) from it -- I missed it so much but then after a few years I took up crochet and haven't looked back since (I still get the odd bad day)