Cramps in the fingers, heavy arms, a stiff back, and cramps in the legs. The life of an avid crafter isn’t always a bed of roses. We might think, “I’ll just take a break and put my work aside—after all, no one’s life depends on it, and tomorrow is another day,” but that’s easier said than done.
With big projects, sometimes you just want to make progress (in our case: centimeters); to see the result of all those moments when the title of Hazes’ famous song “Blood, Sweat, and Tears” didn’t even come close to describing the state you were in. We totally get it! But to ensure that the number of creations that flow from your crochet hooks and/or Knitting Needles increases in the future, we ask that you set the project aside for a moment, make some time for us, and read this blog post, “Tips for Staying Healthy While Crafting.” Have you set it aside? Yes? Let’s go!
1 | Stretching
Stiffness and cramps are no laughing matter. And until something comes on the market that lets you both get moving and put a New creation down on paper, a break for some exercise every now and then is very welcome. No, you don’t have to dust off your Jane Fonda workout tape or watch a rerun of “Nederland in Beweging” on Omroep Max. The following exercises are more than fine! :)
- Get those fingers moving. Play (air) piano with your fingers or tap out a pattern. You can alternate this exercise with the following: stretch out your fingers and touch the thumb of the same hand with the tips of those fingers. One by one. From left to right and from right to left.
- Now let's move on to the arms. Stretch your arms out above your head. Make them long! You can do this one at a time or with both arms at once. If you're doing some crafts while a player from your favorite team scores a goal, the "both arms at once" option is a great one!
- By the time you've gone through all these movements one by one and have a few double crochets under your belt, it's about time to take the dog—and/or yourself—out for a walk. So get off your butt and get moving. Let's go for a quick walk around the block!
- Once you’ve gotten some fresh air and are ready to continue working on your creation, it’s important to adopt a comfortable sitting position—one that’s ergonomically sound. To do this, make sure your buttocks and back are against the back of the chair or couch, and place both feet flat on the floor.
- Don't let your hands drop too low either. If you keep your work too low, you'll end up bending your head and shoulders along with it. This hunched posture will start to cause you a lot of discomfort eventually, so keep your work a little higher!
- And last but certainly not least... use high-quality, ergonomic materials, such as a Crochet Hook that fits your hands perfectly. You won't regret it—trust us!
2 | The usual stuff!
In addition to staying active and taking a bathroom break every now and then, it’s also a good idea to refuel every once in a while. So don’t forget to keep eating and drinking well. That way, you’ll have enough energy to finish your artwork.
So don’t forget to take a moment to socialize during this break. Catch up with your partner, family, or friends and grab a cup of coffee together. Go over the day’s events and the latest gossip; that way, you’ll be up to speed again, and they’ll know you’re still around. ;)
And if you’re enjoying some crafting outdoors, don’t forget to put some SPF on your face. Nothing is more annoying than realizing, after a wonderful day of crafting, that you’re as red as a strawberry. You’ll end up peeling like crazy—and spending the rest of your days in the shade. Not exactly something to look forward to, is it?!
3 | Zennnn....
One last piece of advice we’d like to share with you is this: don’t turn your craft project into a “must-do.” If you think you have to finish a project within an unreasonable timeframe—on top of all your other daily and weekly activities—you’ll end up adopting a tense posture while crafting; a posture that will eventually cause you physical discomfort. So, to keep both your body and your state of mind healthy, it’s important to remember that there’s no need for pressure or stress to complete your creation. Crafting is and always will be a lot of fun. That’s what it’s all about! If you’re feeling stuck and can’t figure it out, set your project aside. If you’re not entirely satisfied with what you’ve made so far, have someone else take a look at it. Maybe they’ll have some ideas. You can always take your project apart later!
And, of course, we're always here for you. Email or call us, or send us a message on social media. We'd be happy to help you figure things out!
So take good care of yourself, because crafting is a ton of fun and—if you follow these Tips—will bring you lots of joy! ;)