Crochet is more than a hobby. It’s something you’ve carried with you through seasons of life. So many crochet makers have been crocheting for a multitude of years. Even if you’ve haven’t been crocheting long, taking care of your body now will allow you to continue your craft for years to come. If arthritis has started to affect how long or how comfortably you can crochet, you’re not alone, and it doesn’t mean your crochet journey is over. I’m sharing gentle, practical Tips For Crocheting with Arthritis to help reduce strain, care for your hands, and continue enjoying the craft you love at a pace that works for your body today.
You’ve been crocheting for decades, and suddenly your body doesn’t want to do what you want it to. I have been there so many times. Arthritis isn’t a lack of skills or discipline. Having it or needing breaks doesn’t mean you need to give up crochet. Your craft doesn’t have to stop being for you just because your hands/body need more care.
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Gentle Crochet Adjustments That Help With Arthritis
- Ergonomic hooks with larger handles-Furls has some great choices
- Foam grips or DIY grip builds (makeup sponges, clay grips)
- Lightweight hooks to reduce fatigue
- Avoid tiny steel hooks for long sessions
Tips For Crocheting With Arthritis-Yarn Choices Matter
Choosing softer yarns with good glide (bamboo blends, cotton blends). Avoid splitty or stiff yarns as this can be tough on your hands. Slightly thicker yarns can help as it means you will need to make fewer stitches and use a larger hook. WeCrochet/Knit Picks has some great bulky yarn choices.
What Types of Patterns You Should Choose With Arthritis
- Repetitive stitches over intricate lace-working lace requires a smaller hook which can be difficult on your hands.
- Chunky textures instead of tight tension-keeping your tension more loose than normal helps with hand strain.
- Smaller projects (lapghans, scarves, squares)-these projects equal less time working your hands.
- Projects that can be picked up and put down easily
Position & Environment-Crocheting With Arthritis
Now, lets talk about how you position yourself and your environment when crocheting.
Hand and Body Position
- Crochet with hands and arms supported (prop yourself with pillows or on armrests)
- Keep wrists neutral, not bent
- Sit with feet flat and shoulders relaxed
- Try not to hunch over-we all do it, it’s hard not to-this will help with keeping your back from aching.
Lighting & Warmth
- Good lighting reduces eye strain and keeps you from hunching over to see your work.
- Warm your hands before starting (heating pad, warm mug), this will help limber them up.
- Use compression gloves to reduce pain
Taking Frequent Breaks Does Not Equal Failure
Start with intentional crochet sessions. Put it in your mind that these things will help you. First, limit your time, even though we can get caught up in the rhythm and flow, we need to keep it short. Start with 10-20 minutes. Then take a break. If you are still feeling okay after the break, continue a little longer.
Your body will let you know when you are trying too much. Stop before pain, not after.
Stop and stretch gently between rounds or rows. This helps to keep your hands limber and keeps cramping at bay.
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Tips For Crocheting With Arthritis-Types of Stretches/Exercise
Try these tips and techniques before you crochet, during your session, and after you are finished.
- Finger spreads-place all your fingertips together with hands spread and gently push each hand against the other, or spread fingers widely, then close in a fist.
- Gentle wrist circles-we use our wrists a lot; we need to limber them up.
- Thumb stretches-the fleshy part of the thumb can cramp up as we start a crochet session and during.
Download this free resource I’ve created for you-“Stretches for Crocheters” below and keep in your crochet bag to remind you to stretch often during your crochet session.
Crochet is not a productivity contest. Slower does not mean worse. Taking days off doesn’t erase your identity as a maker. You can still create beauty; even if it looks different now.
And remember, “Crochet can grow with you. It doesn’t leave you behind.”
If you’re looking for some small, quick crochet projects to work on check out the roundup below.
Thanks so much for visiting and your continued support! Come again real soon.
