Top tips...

1 Take regular breaks

We’ve all been there – you start a new project, get engrossed, and before you know it hours have passed and you’re still sat in the exact same position. Take regular breaks, have a little walk around, and flex your hands and arms to keep your body moving and your blood flowing.

2 Sit up straight

Good posture isn’t just about appearences – it helps you feel better, too. Sitting up straight and positioning your legs so your feet are flat on the floor and approximately hip-distance apart naturally puts less stress on your bones and muscles – keeping you comfy and allowing for more crafting time in the long run.

3 Stretch!

Stretching keeps muscles flexible, strong and healthy, and promotes a range of motion in your joints. Make sure to regularly stretch your hands and arms – as well as your back – while you’re crocheting to keep everything supple.

4 Get equipped

Having the right tools for the job doesn’t just give you great project results – it can make you more comfortable, too. Clover’s ergonomic Soft Touch hooks have built-in cushioning, which makes repeated movement easier on the hands and wrists. The hooks are available nationwide in sizes 2mm-6mm, priced from £4.30 each.

5 Care for your skin

It’s not just your bones and joints that could use a bit of looking after if you’re a crafter – your skin may need a little love, too! Handling lots of yarn can dry out your hands, which can lead to chafing and rough patches. If you need to moisturise while stitching, try using a cream like SEAMS, which has been specially created to mend dry hands without transferring onto fabrics. “Whilst taking part in a millinery course at The London College Of Fashion, my hands got burnt, cut, sore and dry,” explains creator Karen J Gerrard, who has worked in fashion design. “I wanted to buy a beauty cream that would moisturise and help heal sore, dry, pin-pricked hands, but didn’t transfer onto fabrics. I couldn’t find one, so I created SEAMS.” However, if you end up using a normal hand cream that could get onto your yarn, simply apply it approximately 30 minutes before you begin to crochet to allow the cream to absorb fully.

TURN OVER TO FIND OUT HOW CROCHET HAS ACTUALLY IMPROVED TWO HOOKSTERS’ HEALTH!