Knitting tension with nerve damage
Jan. 30th, 2012 05:04 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
ariandar posting in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
knittingHi all. I've been watching this community for a while, and finally had a question arise for me that I feel I need help with.
I have some nerve damage. It's not actually in my right hand, but the cervical-7 nerve root, where I have a tumor merrily gnawing at it. The doctors aren't really sure whether I will lose more motor control than I already have, as we try a second time to eradicate it. Anyway, it translates to motor control issues and some numbness and most often pain in my right hand. When I type too long, knit too long, sew for too long, etc etc, my pinkie and ring finger first will stop listening to me and just flop around uselessly, until I stop and stretch them backward in a way that makes people cringe. And then second, the pinkie, ring and middle finger will cramp and curl inward, painfully, while I try not to drop my knitting. It's really aggravating.
So... I know the first thing people will suggest is to knit Continental instead of English. I am miserable at Continental, and have been since before all this happened. I can't see myself going that route and not just giving up knitting altogether, if that is my only option.
I've been looking at these tension ring things - cro-knit and something from Clover for stranded knitting, as well as something they're calling a knitting thimble? Has anyone used any of these devices, and are they worth trying to hold the tension of the yarn? Because more often than not, what is triggering my troubles isn't throwing the yarn so much as trying to hold the tension.
Especially since I just up and decided to try my hand at socks on DPNs for the first time. 'Cause I'm a glutton for punishment. ;-)
If you have any thoughts on this, I would be grateful for the input. Thanks!
I have some nerve damage. It's not actually in my right hand, but the cervical-7 nerve root, where I have a tumor merrily gnawing at it. The doctors aren't really sure whether I will lose more motor control than I already have, as we try a second time to eradicate it. Anyway, it translates to motor control issues and some numbness and most often pain in my right hand. When I type too long, knit too long, sew for too long, etc etc, my pinkie and ring finger first will stop listening to me and just flop around uselessly, until I stop and stretch them backward in a way that makes people cringe. And then second, the pinkie, ring and middle finger will cramp and curl inward, painfully, while I try not to drop my knitting. It's really aggravating.
So... I know the first thing people will suggest is to knit Continental instead of English. I am miserable at Continental, and have been since before all this happened. I can't see myself going that route and not just giving up knitting altogether, if that is my only option.
I've been looking at these tension ring things - cro-knit and something from Clover for stranded knitting, as well as something they're calling a knitting thimble? Has anyone used any of these devices, and are they worth trying to hold the tension of the yarn? Because more often than not, what is triggering my troubles isn't throwing the yarn so much as trying to hold the tension.
Especially since I just up and decided to try my hand at socks on DPNs for the first time. 'Cause I'm a glutton for punishment. ;-)
If you have any thoughts on this, I would be grateful for the input. Thanks!
(no subject)
Date: 2012-02-02 05:50 am (UTC)Which is not to say you should do it - if you kept at it and it just didn't go, then OF COURSE you stop! Knitting is supposed to be enjoyable and if it really seems like the end isn't in sight, then the fun is definitely not happening.
Instead, I guess, you keep doing things like this - asking around - and trying what other things people suggest, like this portugese thing that sounds intriguing. I'm already imagining matching up a yarn ring with my outfit, because let's face it, knitting accessories are the bomb. ;)
I'm so sorry about your situation and am keeping good thoughts for you. I'm also keeping good thoughts for you to find a style or tool that keeps the tension right - luckily, nothing says I can't have both good thoughts at the same time.