Knitting for health
For those managing chronic pain and other long term health issues, knitting is so much more than a hobby…
Readers share their stories of how knitting helps them get through
Disability a ects people in a variety of ways, from those with physical impediments to those who have unseen issues. In the current climate many have been advised to take up a hobby, often to help alleviate the pressures of being alone. Knitting is a pastime that helps a variety of those to overcome problems in di erent ways. However, for some it can be challenging, yet they have learnt to overcome problems through adapting techniques to suit their own methods.
Overcoming challenges
Fiona Mannifield who has ASD, dyslexia and dyspraxia says, “The latter of these a ects my ability to craft – neurological disabilities can be overlooked because they may be invisible. I didn’t think I could knit for a long time as my motor skills are a ected by dyspraxia and I only knew the English style of knitting. However, I taught myself to crochet and, after attending a group, someone suggested I try the continental method which is how I currently knit”.
Jess Silk also has autism and said, “One aspect of knitting I enjoy is the repetitive action and as I’ve heightened sensitivity to sensory items it’s great that I can collect yarns which feel nice. When stressed or overwhelmed by a ‘bad’ experience, I sit and work on a ‘good’ project to calm down. As I enjoy doing the same things over and over again, a cable or lace pattern with short repeats has an easy rhythm and looks impressive. When pattern instructions are unclear, people with autism tend to take things literally and may struggle ‘reading between the lines’, although it’s easier now as I’ve been knitting for a few years.”
Tackling allergies
Allergies can often create additional issues. Chrissy Brooks said “I have always loved crafting and have been knitting for seventy years, designing and making patterns to sell at craft fairs. However, I am allergic to a lot of yarns because they contain many chemicals. They give me hay fever and
I can tell when there are a lot of softeners in the wool because work slips o the needles occasionally. When those items have been washed a few times they lose their softness, particularly cotton mixes. My fingers and thumbs can become sore and dry.”
Out and about
There can be problems for wheelchair users, especially with accessibility in and out of specialist shops. June Jacobs says, “I have been a wheelchair user for the last seven years, but have been disabled since birth. I started knitting when I was four and now use it to help manage the pain on a daily basis. I don’t use any adapted equipment, although access to independent yarn shops can be a big issue, as they’re not always wheelchair accessible. I’m an art teacher by profession so creativity plays a big part for me. I never quite follow a pattern, generally adapting to make them fit my own design. I limit my knitting time to a few rows a day due to awaiting shoulder replacement surgery.”
Getting help
Charities such as Remap provide custommade equipment for those who require additional aid because of physical disabilities. In one case, they helped a lady paralysed on her left side following a stroke and who wished to continue knitting. “We made a device with modified needles attaching them to a magnet so the free needle was fixed in a location without
hindering movement of the stitches. It was base mounted to clamp onto a table. Whilst the lady started slowly, with minimum practice she achieved her objective.”
Helping with chronic pain
Eileen Pritchett explains, “As a lifelong knitter, I’ve adapted to age-induced aches, pains and arthritis. Learning to knit flat on long straight one-ended needles with wool in the right hand, I was taught to hold the right needle in my armpit, greatly increasing the speed. This had an e ect on my joints as I had to take breaks, missing the mental benefits of being creative. I tried knitting on circulars and double-pointed needles after visiting Orkney, with tension in the shoulders and neck vanishing. Despite losing speed, I enjoy the slower pace, savouring the process rather than the end result. It keeps my hands mobile although if I don’t knit for a day my hands start to sti en up.”
Everyday success
Arabella Pallett says, “I was taught to knit by my mum and continued on and o over the years. I loved complex patterns and developed new skills and even looked at historic knitted pieces, making some replicas. I have Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) as well as other medical issues that impact my daily life. After becoming very poorly with these, knitting small simple items for a charity helped me gain a sense of my creativity, skill and self worth. A simple single row in a day is a piece of defiance in the face of chronic illness.”
Benefitting through lockdown
Aneeta Bansal said “My knitting has really helped me during lockdown, using the time to knit for local hospitals. I’ve made small knitted hearts for COVID patients, being able to raise over £2,000 for Barts Charity. I su er from a lot of chronic pain, so the repetitive action is relaxing, allowing me to think positively. The continuous action and clicking needles act as a soothing, relaxing sound, calming me when my pain is chronic. It has become more of a necessity to manage pain rather than just a hobby and anxiety sets in when I have no project. I’m happy when busy and have a sense of achievement being able to complete small projects which makes a huge di erence”.
Calming the mind
In addition to the physical aspects of knitting, it is a hobby that can be used as a way to relax the mind as well as the body. Gillian Reid explains, “I have EDS as well as arthritis, along with a benign brain tumour giving me occasional dizzy spells and auras. Knitting keeps my mind active and joints supple. I don’t follow set patterns, more a series of ‘formulas’, so I don’t struggle with lines on a page. As I make small items such as socks, cowls and hats I use a cloth bag for my items. I sit it on my lap and have the handles looped over one arm, meaning the needles are less likely to poke through and get lost. I also pre-wind the yarn into centre-pull balls for easier handling. Circular needles are more portable than straights causing less strain. They are harder to lose and when making something larger, I rest the weight on my knees.”
Sarah North also emphasises the relaxing benefits saying, “I have Cystic Fibrosis which a ects many organs but mainly the lungs and digestive system. As I have become older, my lungs have deteriorated and it has hugely limited what I can do. It fluctuates so each day can be unpredictable. I learnt to knit in hospital and it’s helped me in many ways. No matter how much I’m being a ected by my illness, I can still knit and that takes my mind o things and helps me to relax. It’s very mindful and I use it as a form of meditation. There is always something new to learn too and it keeps my mind active. Long stretches in hospital can become dull so knitting helps to keep me occupied during those periods.”
Despite many of the issues we currently face, knitting o ers many benefits to those who looking for a welcome distraction from a number of problems. If you have a story you would like to tell us, we would love to hear from you. You can find our contact details on page 31.
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