Why Ergonomic Crocheting Is Important
The aches and pains that avid Haaksters experience vary, and not every Haakster is affected to the same degree. Common complaints include:
- Neck Pain
- Shoulder Problems
- Sore upper arms
- Elbow Problems
- Pain or tenderness in the wrists
- Cramps in the hands
- Painful joints in the fingers
You may be used to it, but pain while crocheting isn't normal and can even be harmful in the long run. With a few smart adjustments, you can prevent complaints and enjoy crocheting for longer.
Tips for Ergonomic Crocheting
You’ve probably ended up on this blog because you want to improve your crocheting posture. That’s great! The Tips below will definitely help you get a long way toward that goal.
Tip 1: Make sure you're sitting in a proper, relaxed position
This sounds difficult, and it can be. Especially if you’re very used to adopting a certain posture, this can be quite a challenge. Still, it’s worth making a conscious effort to work on this! A common habit is to keep your legs together or cross them. It makes sense, but it’s actually not great for your body while crocheting. It’s better to sit with your legs apart so your back can move more easily. You can help yourself do this by placing a footstool or a large Cushion between your legs, for example. It’s also important to make sure you always crochet with a straight back. To avoid leaning too far forward, it can help to properly support your arms. The easiest way to do this is by placing a firm Cushion between the armrest of the couch and your body. Just make sure it doesn’t push your shoulders up.
Tip 2: Take a (short) break regularly
This might seem like stating the obvious, but you can prevent strain by taking enough breaks while crocheting. Get up every hour to grab a drink and walk around the house a bit. Doing this will go a long way toward preventing strain. Do you forget everything around you when you’re crocheting? Then set a timer as a reminder to get up for a moment.
Tip 3: Make sure there is enough light
You might not think about it much, but taking good care of your eyes is important, too. So make sure you have enough light at all times when you’re crocheting. This will prevent you from squinting and leaning in too close because you can’t see clearly. Your neck will thank you, too! Be sure to check out our handy magnifying lamps designed specifically for crafting.
Tip 4: Choose the right yarn
Every type of yarn has its own qualities, but not every type of yarn is comfortable to work with. Heavy and stiff yarns require you to use more force when making stitches, while light and smooth yarns are much easier to work with. Especially if you’re spending a long time working on a craft project, it’s a good idea to keep this in mind when choosing yarn.
Tip 5: Make sure the temperature is right
This might surprise you, but temperature also plays a role in maintaining an ergonomic posture. When you’re cold, you tend to tense your muscles more quickly, which puts extra strain on your muscles and joints while crocheting.
Tip 6: Hold your Crochet Hook loosely
Some Haakster worry about dropping a stitch. This causes them to grip their Crochet Hook too tightly. One thing that can help is to consciously try to hold the Crochet Hook a little more loosely. It also helps a lot to buy ergonomic Crochet Hooks.
Tip 7: Seek advice if you have any complaints
Are your aches and pains not going away, or do they often come back during or after crocheting? If so, it might be a good idea to seek advice from an expert. You can start your search for the right expert by first contacting your family doctor.
Ergonomic Crochet Hooks
Ergonomic Crochet Hooks help prevent most hand pain. Not only are they practical, but the handles of these Crochet Hooks also often come in all kinds of beautiful colors and shapes. No two hands are alike, so it’s important to try out different Crochet Hooks. At Yarnplaza.com, we offer a wide selection of ergonomic Crochet Hooks:
Clover Amour Crochet Hooks
Clover Soft Touch Crochet Hooks
Prym Ergonomic Crochet Hook
Tulip Etimo Red Crochet Hooks
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