Well, it may not be everyone’s definition of a tragedy, but when I tell you about it I am sure that you will agree with me that it IS a tragedy.
Both my thumb joints — the carpometacarpal joint, to be precise — are painful. And guess what irritates them? Knitting!
Nuts.
You may remember that I had this problem with my left thumb last winter after knitting a pair of mittens out of bulky yarn on US#9 needles. Well, now it’s bilateral.
Rats.
Of course, I currently have about six projects OTN and another six in my head waiting to be knit, not to mention a couple Christmas presents in process. Those are all gonna be on hold.
Shoot.
Given that my left carpometacarpal joint never completely healed after last winter’s injury, even though I gave it four days — FOUR DAYS! — without knitting, I suspect I may be on the injured reserve list for awhile this time if I expect to ever knit again.
Crap.
I searched YouTube for another way to hold my needles so as not to stress my thumb. What I found seemed to indicate that I could save my left thumb but altering its position, but the right one has to grip the needle the way that I already do.
I wonder if I could crochet instead…
I have this pain from crocheting (because of the way I hold the fabric between my thumb and middle finger. I don’t have this pain knitting continental. Good luck.
There should be a dislike button for this post, because I am disliking this news LOTS!
Oh yeah. *That* joint. I don’t know about you, but crocheting stresses my left carpometacarpal joint worse than knitting does. Bulky knitting stresses it worse than knitting with lighter yarns, too: I am limiting myself to only two rows at a time on the super-bulky project I’m currently working on.
https://www.ergoiknit.com/knitting-comfortably/
This book is not out yet, so I can’t tell you if it’s any good, but I took both of Carson Demers’s ergonomics classes at Yarnover. I remember he suggested switching between projects of multiple weights (I’m alternating that super-bulky project with a lace weight project).
Oh, man, that blows! But time out sounds like a good idea so that you don’t permanently injure yourself.
On no, unfair! Without knitting you’re going to get in trouble for sure!!
Well, i could certainly add a few words to your List of Words to Say Vehemently. Crochet might be worth a try, since the grip is different. Or, you know, quilting… 8)
In the meantime, REST those weary thumbs. Now is a good time to plan projects and rework your queue so you’re ready for happier thumb days. (And now I’ve got a princess singing “Thumb day, my knits will come…” stuck in my head. Argh. )
I sometimes have to go down to a very small needle size and fingering weight if that happens to me. SORRY
Yes. Both thumbs. Plus a creeping case of carpal tunnel (alliteration!). I have holiday ornaments to knit, to say nothing of the Wonder Woman Shawl and a saddle-shoulder cardigan.
Rest, ice and bengay (or whatever you use). Mine flares up when I’m knitting socks a lot. I knit continental, so it’s not too bad, but rest is the best thing unfortunately. The good thing is that you’ll have time to read your backlog of books.
I am so sorry to read about your pain. I totally understand. Another problem may be computer time. Can you type, use you iPad and other devises? You may need to dictate posts. I suggest a cleaning lady weekly to help rest your hands. Stick a straw in your bottle of wine so you don’t have to grip a wine glass stem. Also, ice several times a day, especially if you start thinking about doing something involving work. Good luck.
Well, crap. This is indeed a tragedy. I’ve got one-sided thumb pain if I knit a lot, and I’ve found that with ice, ibuprofen, and Aspercreme (it’s an external otc salicylate rub that works really well for me) I can knit again within a day or two. Here’s hoping your pain is short-lived. (Love the cleaning lady and straw in the wine bottle suggestions!)
I hear macrame is making a comeback…
Oh no! I had elbow pain a while back (also aggravated by knitting) but I was able to shift the way I held my needles to not hurt as much. Thumbs sound much trickier to get around. 😦 Feel better soon!
May I suggest acupuncture and a knowledgable body worker on top of rest? Email me if you need a recommendation. My guy knows lots of people.