Gransnet forums

Arts & crafts

Sore thumb from knitting…any tips, please?

(11 Posts)
Woollywoman Mon 21-Oct-24 17:14:46

Thanks, Parsley3, I googled them after you said that, and have found useful links. Will order one.
Thanks again x

Parsley3 Mon 21-Oct-24 10:00:04

I bought my spiky ball online, Woollywoman. My daughter put me on to using it and she learned about it from her pilates instructor.

Woollywoman Sat 19-Oct-24 15:26:01

Thanks, Witzend, that’s useful re strapping your thumb and great that you can now do lots of knitting 🤞🤞.
Or maybe on second thoughts, we’d better not cross our fingers! I will touch wood instead…

Witzend Sat 19-Oct-24 10:44:16

I had the same - very painful base of left thumb joint - after (like an idiot) a stretch too far (10 notes) on the piano.
I kept it strapped close to my hand for about a week - admittedly a nuisance - and it did slowly recover.
I do loads of knitting now, and touch wood, it’s fine.

Woollywoman Fri 18-Oct-24 14:49:31

Thanks, Parsley3. Where did you buy your spiky ball, please?

I have just bought some ibuprofen gel, and what with the other tips, am feeling a bit more hopeful about adapting to a new way of knitting… thanks, all.

Parsley3 Fri 18-Oct-24 12:36:11

Another suggestion is to roll a small spiky ball over the sore bits. I find this works too.

Woollywoman Fri 18-Oct-24 10:55:41

Hi again, thanks very much indeed for your sympathy and helpful advice.
I wouldn’t have thought about using circular needles - that’s a very useful tip.
Thanks again, and good luck with your aches and pains! Xx

Parsley3 Fri 18-Oct-24 09:40:26

I sympathise as my thumb joints ache if I do too much knitting. Rest and anti inflammatory gel work for me and circular needles change the position of the thumbs which can be helpful.

lixy Fri 18-Oct-24 09:15:11

I do as aggie does when my thumb decides it has had enough, though I find crochet aggravates it more than knitting. I find ibuprofen gel effective too. My dr gave me a handy tip -
I for inflammation = ibuprofen, p for pain = paracetamol.

I have swapped to using circular needles even when knitting in the flat, and to using lightweight yarn. I try not to have big projects, so blankets are made from squares for example. Anything I can think of to reduce the weight really!
Certainly frustrating.

aggie Fri 18-Oct-24 09:05:10

It’s so frustrating!
I treat it as any other joint , rub in some gel , take paracetamol and look up hand exercises
Try not to knit for too long , take breaks to rest the poorly joint
I hope it improves xxx

Woollywoman Fri 18-Oct-24 06:47:37

Hi all, I have been knitting a lot lately - it’s my favourite hobby - and the base of my right thumb is painful now. I am trying to be sensible and do less, but I’m keen not to stop knitting completely. Has anybody managed this situation successfully, please?