Hooked on Needles

Wednesday, June 11, 2008

Handy Helpers for crocheters with carpal tunnel

Do you ever get that tingling feeling in your fingers while you are crocheting or knitting? Do you find yourself having to stop every now and then to rest your hands and shake out the pins and needles from your fingers? I feel your pain...I mean, I really do feel your pain!

I have had carpal tunnel in both wrists for quite some time now and of course it is at its worst when I am doing lots of handwork. I told my doctor about it and what do you think he said? Exactly! He said to stop doing my handwork! Can you believe that? Obviously he isn't hooked on needles like I am! So besides the wrist braces at night and a big dose of "vitamin I" in the morning and sometimes again at night, I have found these handy little tubes of squishy foam-like substance just the thing to extend my crocheting time.

This one is a Susan Bates product called "Comfort Cushion" and if I recall correctly I got it from Herrschner's mail order not too long ago. I used to buy these at my local Walmart but they no longer carry them which is such a shame. I sure do hate paying $5.00 in shipping charges for an item that weighs about 1 ounce soaking wet and would probably cost about 50 cents to mail first class. But I digress...


This comfort cushion is made out of foam much like the stuff you get at Home Depot to insulate your hot water pipes, only this is much smaller and isn't cut up the side. You put a little dot of liquid dish soap on the tip of your crochet hook and slide this little tube onto your hook and there you have a nice soft handle on your favorite crochet hook which is bigger around than the hook and easier to hold. These are also good, I've been told, for arthritis sufferers.



Here is another product that is similar, although much smaller and therefore not quite as effective. They are called "Comfort Grip" and they slide onto your hook the same way the comfort cushion does. They do make the hook easier to hold, but since they are not as long or as big around, I don't find that they extend my crocheting time all that much. I use them in a pinch.

What kind of goodies and gadgets do you use to make your handwork easier? I'd love to know.

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2 Comments:

  • Just to let you know - I have these in my yarn shop "The Merry Weaver" - they come in two sizes and cost less than $3. Glad to find the site - Happy knitting and crocheting. :)themerryweaver@verizon.net

    By Anonymous Anonymous, At June 13, 2008 at 2:17 PM  

  • Thanks for the tip, Merry Weaver! Glad to know I can buy these locally. My hands will appreciate it!

    MGM

    By Blogger Mary Grace McNamara, At June 14, 2008 at 6:00 PM  

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