<p>If she has rheumatic arthritis, the best thing she could do is continuing knitting and crocheting for short periods. Many movements that are done during physio therapy for arthritis of the hand are actually very similar to the movements during knitting. I found this pilot study <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5813366/" rel="noreferrer">The knitting community-based trial for older women with osteoarthritis of the hands: design and rationale of a randomized controlled trial</a> that writes (emphasis by me):</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Although exercise therapy has been shown effective in reducing symptoms and disability associated with HOA [Hand Osteoarthritis], adherence to treatment programs remains low.<br />
[...]<br />
The premise behind the knitting program is to <strong>use a meaningful occupation as the main component of an exercise program</strong>. The knitting program will include two components: 1) bi-weekly 20-min knitting sessions at a senior’s club and 2) 20-min home daily knitting sessions for the five remaining weekdays.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Unfortunately the study is not executed or not finished yet, so the results are not available.</p>
<p>To make her life (and hobby) easier, there are a number of tricks that people with arthritis or other disabilities utilize:</p>
<ul>
<li>Consciously knit or crochet very loosely to reduce muscle strain. Choose thick yarns and lose patterns. This also reduces the dexterity required to work. <sub>source 2</sub></li>
<li>Try birchwood or bamboo knitting needles. Those are lighter and warmer to the touch and more flexible than metal needles, reducing strain on the hands. <sub>sources 1 &amp; 2</sub></li>
<li>Use a &quot;circular&quot; or &quot;cable&quot; needle, even for flat works. That way the part of the work you're not actively knitting can rest on your lap or a table and your hands don't have to hold the weight of the whole work. <sub>sources 1, 2 &amp; 3</sub></li>
<li>Switch between several projects requiring different techniques. You can knit a sweater for half an hour, rest, then switch to crocheting a doily for 20 minutes, rest again, then switch to cross stitching a table cloth for half an hour. That avoids excessive, repetitive strain on your hands. <sub>sources 2 &amp; 3</sub></li>
<li>Rest often while working. If your hands hurt or get stiff after working too long, consciously schedule short rests. If that means one minute of watching TV and stretching your hands after each finished row, let no-one stop you from taking those rests, not even yourself. <sub>sources 2 &amp; 3</sub></li>
<li>Use acrylic, wool or wool blend yarn, because it's more flexible and forgiving. This also reduces strain to the hands. <sub>sources 1 &amp; 3</sub></li>
<li>Use a wide flat crocheting hook instead of a rod-shaped one. Wood is the best material because it's sturdy but flexible and warm to the touch. <sub>source 1</sub> I've found these advertised as &quot;Bosnian&quot; or &quot;Japanese&quot; hooks. Here's one random example from <a href="https://www.etsy.com/il-en/market/flat_crochet_hook" rel="noreferrer">Etsy</a> (the top part is the handle and the bottom tip is the actual hook):<br />
<a href="https://i.sstatic.net/kmfNW.jpg" rel="noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/kmfNW.jpg" alt="enter image description here" /></a></li>
<li>For embroidery or cross-stitching, try a leather or rubber thimble instead of a metal or plastic one. That gives your finger more traction to pull the needle through without requiring more muscle tension or strength. <sub>sources 1 &amp; 2</sub></li>
<li>If your hands hurt or are stiff, soak them in warm water for a few minutes before starting to work. That loosens up stiff muscles and reduces rheumatic pain. <sub>sources 2 &amp; 3</sub></li>
<li>Use fingerless compression gloves or special knitting gloves. These put gentle pressure on your hands, which might (depending on the person) reduce pain, relieve tension and improve wrist posture. They also keep your hands warm. <sub>sources 2 &amp; 3</sub></li>
<li>Stretch your hands after working. Here's a <a href="https://www.knitfreedom.com/blog/knitting-pain/" rel="noreferrer">link to special stretches</a> to relieve knitting pains. Maybe you can print some instructions for your grandma.</li>
</ul>
<p>Source 1: <a href="http://blog.arthritis.org/living-with-arthritis/needlework-with-arthritis/" rel="noreferrer">Smart Tricks to Make Needlework With Arthritis Finger-Friendly</a> by the  Living With Arthritis Blog</p>
<p>Source 2: <a href="https://www.everydayhealth.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/living-with/crafting-with-ra/" rel="noreferrer">The &quot;Knitty&quot; Gritty: Crocheting With Rheumatoid Arthritis</a> by Everyday Health</p>
<p>Source 3: <a href="https://www.scarfknitting.com/865/knit-arthritis/" rel="noreferrer">How to Knit With Arthritis; What To Do When It Hurts</a> by Scarf Knitting</p>
<p>If she has other problems like a tremor that impacts her fine motor control, there are some other crafts that don't require too much dexterity she might be interested in:</p>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tatting" rel="noreferrer">Shuttle Tatting</a> can be used to create lace, doilies and other decorative textiles. You can easily 3D print or buy tatting shuttles in different sizes and (at least in my personal experience) once you get used to the motions the technique doesn't require much dexterity or strength.</li>
<li>Making yarn bowls or lamp shades or other objects with yarn. She can use glue or the more traditional method or stitching the layers together.</li>
<li>Making bowls or objects with paper maché over a balloon. She can then add a layer of yarn on top of the paper maché like a yarn bowl.</li>
<li>Making Pompoms that can be used as ingredients for other crafts.</li>
<li>Making a seasonal wreath by wrapping yarn and ribbons around a cardboard disk or styrofoam ring. She can then add other seasonal decorations.</li>
<li>Punchneedle work is something of a trend lately, but you have to understand the technique and have the right kind of fabric for it to work. Please consider watching some review videos online. You can use it to decorate things like pillow cases, rugs or wall decorations.</li>
</ul>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-12-07T08:20:44.457Z
Outstanding answer.  I remember seeing my mother-in-law suffering with this very problem.  For her the problem was exacerbated because she was accustomed to holding her fingers with a lot of tension and knitting very tightly.  It can take some retraining to learn how to work with minimal tension in the fingers. / She might enjoy embroidering with yarn over knitted mittens. / I think the knit stitch involves less finger tension than the purl stitch. You could buy her Zimmerman's *Knitting Without Tears* for her gift, and a book of designs using Lopi wool.  It's bulky yard but it doesn't have...
aparente001
CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-12-07T08:21:21.807Z
... that amateurish look that's common with very bulky yarns. / I wonder if a knitting machine is compatible with arthritis?  The planning stage would use her know-how and the results would be rather similar to her previous hand work. / Another fun activity is starting your own bonsai.  You could give her an intro book and a couple shallow dishes with one or more holes in the bottom.  Even better if you make the shallow dishes yourself for the initial gift!  Later maybe you two could go to a pottery class together to make some more.  This gift made a big hit with my mother in her later years.
aparente001
CC BY-SA 4.0
2022-03-23T13:09:47.907Z
@henning I hope your grandma is well. I just found a new hobby in shuttle tatting and was pleasantly surprised that it doesn't require much dexterity. Maybe your grandma already knows how to tat and likes to try again. I added the suggestion to the answer.
Elmy
CC BY-SA 4.0
2022-03-23T16:52:54.760Z
Does it help to warm your hands with a microwave or electric heating pad during the once-a-row rest?
aparente001
CC BY-SA 4.0
2022-03-23T17:00:57.610Z
@aparente001 Warming increases blood flow and can reduce pain from arthrites, so a peating pad is probably better than nothing. But submerging your hands in warm water has a much better effect than holding a heating pad in your hands.
Elmy
CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-10-13T07:58:03.323Z
2022-03-23T13:07:21.730Z
2022-03-23T13:07:21.730Z
Elmy
<p>I imagine bobbin lace should be doable even with arthritic fingers as long as your grandmother is able to handle the bobbins. There are rather thick ones available and you can use thicker thread and needles with thick heads, too.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2022-04-08T08:50:05.537Z
2022-04-08T09:05:52.590Z
2022-04-08T09:05:52.590Z
arne
<p>My grandma is getting old. She loves her knitting and needlework. Especially with less visitors coming to her retirement home in Covid times, it keeps up her spirits. But now she tells me her fingers are becoming too &quot;crummy&quot;. What other kinds of handiwork are there that might be suitable when one's dexterity declines? Ideally (but not necessarily), it would be some textile work that is easy enough to pick up. (She has been knitting, sewing, crocheting, and even knotting at various points in her life; but I suppose all of this is becoming too difficult for her). I would love to give her the necessary equipment for her upcoming birthday.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-10-11T12:57:57.727Z
I’ve been wondering about loom knitting for folks with similar issues and/or a disability that affects the hands. Anybody have experience with it?
Not The Face
CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-10-11T15:08:06.617Z
Perhaps the Chunky or Loop blanket knitting yarns would be of interest to her. I sent my grand daughter some of Yarnspirations' Blanket-EZ products and she made some beautiful blankets out of it, using just simple hand weaving, no needles needed.
Henry Taylor
<sewing><knitting><technique-selection>
My grandma's fingers are becoming too old for knitting. What alternatives are there?
henning no longer feeds AI
# My grandma's fingers are becoming too old for knitting. What alternatives are there?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2021-10-11)

My grandma is getting old. She loves her knitting and needlework. Especially with less visitors coming to her retirement home in Covid times, it keeps up her spirits. But now she tells me her fingers are becoming too "crummy". What other kinds of handiwork are there that might be suitable when one's dexterity declines? Ideally (but not necessarily), it would be some textile work that is easy enough to pick up. (She has been knitting, sewing, crocheting, and even knotting at various points in her life; but I suppose all of this is becoming too difficult for her). I would love to give her the necessary equipment for her upcoming birthday.

**Tags:** sewing, knitting, technique-selection

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: I’ve been wondering about loom knitting for folks with similar issues and/or a disability that affects the hands. Anybody have experience with it?  
> **username_2**: Perhaps the Chunky or Loop blanket knitting yarns would be of interest to her. I sent my grand daughter some of Yarnspirations' Blanket-EZ products and she made some beautiful blankets out of it, using just simple hand weaving, no needles needed.  

---

## 2 answers

### Answer by username_3 on 2021-10-13. Score: 14 | Accepted answer

If she has rheumatic arthritis, the best thing she could do is continuing knitting and crocheting for short periods. Many movements that are done during physio therapy for arthritis of the hand are actually very similar to the movements during knitting. I found this pilot study [The knitting community-based trial for older women with osteoarthritis of the hands: design and rationale of a randomized controlled trial](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5813366/) that writes (emphasis by me):

> Although exercise therapy has been shown effective in reducing symptoms and disability associated with HOA [Hand Osteoarthritis], adherence to treatment programs remains low.  
> [...]  
> The premise behind the knitting program is to **use a meaningful occupation as the main component of an exercise program**. The knitting program will include two components: 1) bi-weekly 20-min knitting sessions at a senior’s club and 2) 20-min home daily knitting sessions for the five remaining weekdays.

Unfortunately the study is not executed or not finished yet, so the results are not available.

To make her life (and hobby) easier, there are a number of tricks that people with arthritis or other disabilities utilize:

* Consciously knit or crochet very loosely to reduce muscle strain. Choose thick yarns and lose patterns. This also reduces the dexterity required to work. source 2
* Try birchwood or bamboo knitting needles. Those are lighter and warmer to the touch and more flexible than metal needles, reducing strain on the hands. sources 1 & 2
* Use a "circular" or "cable" needle, even for flat works. That way the part of the work you're not actively knitting can rest on your lap or a table and your hands don't have to hold the weight of the whole work. sources 1, 2 & 3
* Switch between several projects requiring different techniques. You can knit a sweater for half an hour, rest, then switch to crocheting a doily for 20 minutes, rest again, then switch to cross stitching a table cloth for half an hour. That avoids excessive, repetitive strain on your hands. sources 2 & 3
* Rest often while working. If your hands hurt or get stiff after working too long, consciously schedule short rests. If that means one minute of watching TV and stretching your hands after each finished row, let no-one stop you from taking those rests, not even yourself. sources 2 & 3
* Use acrylic, wool or wool blend yarn, because it's more flexible and forgiving. This also reduces strain to the hands. sources 1 & 3
* Use a wide flat crocheting hook instead of a rod-shaped one. Wood is the best material because it's sturdy but flexible and warm to the touch. source 1 I've found these advertised as "Bosnian" or "Japanese" hooks. Here's one random example from [Etsy](https://www.etsy.com/il-en/market/flat_crochet_hook) (the top part is the handle and the bottom tip is the actual hook):  
  [![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/kmfNW.jpg)](https://i.sstatic.net/kmfNW.jpg)
* For embroidery or cross-stitching, try a leather or rubber thimble instead of a metal or plastic one. That gives your finger more traction to pull the needle through without requiring more muscle tension or strength. sources 1 & 2
* If your hands hurt or are stiff, soak them in warm water for a few minutes before starting to work. That loosens up stiff muscles and reduces rheumatic pain. sources 2 & 3
* Use fingerless compression gloves or special knitting gloves. These put gentle pressure on your hands, which might (depending on the person) reduce pain, relieve tension and improve wrist posture. They also keep your hands warm. sources 2 & 3
* Stretch your hands after working. Here's a [link to special stretches](https://www.knitfreedom.com/blog/knitting-pain/) to relieve knitting pains. Maybe you can print some instructions for your grandma.

Source 1: [Smart Tricks to Make Needlework With Arthritis Finger-Friendly](http://blog.arthritis.org/living-with-arthritis/needlework-with-arthritis/) by the Living With Arthritis Blog

Source 2: [The "Knitty" Gritty: Crocheting With Rheumatoid Arthritis](https://www.everydayhealth.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/living-with/crafting-with-ra/) by Everyday Health

Source 3: [How to Knit With Arthritis; What To Do When It Hurts](https://www.scarfknitting.com/865/knit-arthritis/) by Scarf Knitting

If she has other problems like a tremor that impacts her fine motor control, there are some other crafts that don't require too much dexterity she might be interested in:

* [Shuttle Tatting](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tatting) can be used to create lace, doilies and other decorative textiles. You can easily 3D print or buy tatting shuttles in different sizes and (at least in my personal experience) once you get used to the motions the technique doesn't require much dexterity or strength.
* Making yarn bowls or lamp shades or other objects with yarn. She can use glue or the more traditional method or stitching the layers together.
* Making bowls or objects with paper maché over a balloon. She can then add a layer of yarn on top of the paper maché like a yarn bowl.
* Making Pompoms that can be used as ingredients for other crafts.
* Making a seasonal wreath by wrapping yarn and ribbons around a cardboard disk or styrofoam ring. She can then add other seasonal decorations.
* Punchneedle work is something of a trend lately, but you have to understand the technique and have the right kind of fabric for it to work. Please consider watching some review videos online. You can use it to decorate things like pillow cases, rugs or wall decorations.

> **Comments:**
> **username_4**: Outstanding answer.  I remember seeing my mother-in-law suffering with this very problem.  For her the problem was exacerbated because she was accustomed to holding her fingers with a lot of tension and knitting very tightly.  It can take some retraining to learn how to work with minimal tension in the fingers. / She might enjoy embroidering with yarn over knitted mittens. / I think the knit stitch involves less finger tension than the purl stitch. You could buy her Zimmerman's *Knitting Without Tears* for her gift, and a book of designs using Lopi wool.  It's bulky yard but it doesn't have...  
> **username_4**: ... that amateurish look that's common with very bulky yarns. / I wonder if a knitting machine is compatible with arthritis?  The planning stage would use her know-how and the results would be rather similar to her previous hand work. / Another fun activity is starting your own bonsai.  You could give her an intro book and a couple shallow dishes with one or more holes in the bottom.  Even better if you make the shallow dishes yourself for the initial gift!  Later maybe you two could go to a pottery class together to make some more.  This gift made a big hit with my mother in her later years.  
> **username_3**: @henning I hope your grandma is well. I just found a new hobby in shuttle tatting and was pleasantly surprised that it doesn't require much dexterity. Maybe your grandma already knows how to tat and likes to try again. I added the suggestion to the answer.  
> **username_4**: Does it help to warm your hands with a microwave or electric heating pad during the once-a-row rest?  
> **username_3**: @username_4 Warming increases blood flow and can reduce pain from arthrites, so a peating pad is probably better than nothing. But submerging your hands in warm water has a much better effect than holding a heating pad in your hands.  

---

### Answer by username_5 on 2022-04-08. Score: 3

I imagine bobbin lace should be doable even with arthritic fingers as long as your grandmother is able to handle the bobbins. There are rather thick ones available and you can use thicker thread and needles with thick heads, too.


---

