Every week inside the Yarnist Society a group of knitters gets together to chat about what they’re working on.
I often take inspiration from these conversations because it helps me know what’s on the mind of our community members.
A while ago there was a discussion about how to take care of your hands, so I did some research and found some great products knitters have been recommending online.
I’ll be breaking these up into two categories…
Physical Therapy - If you’re experiencing stiffness, carpal tunnel, or suffer from arthritis these might help you.
Skin Care - These are products to revitalize and nourish your skin if your hands are dry, rough, or cracking from knitting.
There’s quite a few items so let’s get into it:
Physical Therapy
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Hand Grip Strength Trainer
I injured my wrist in a scooter accident a couple years ago (then re-injured it in another scooter accident..maybe I need to stop riding scooters. 🤔). Anyway I have needed to work on strengthening my grip as a result, and something like this is invaluable. They come in three different resistance levels so you can increase difficulty over time. If you are experiencing fatigue in your wrists after a knitting session this might be the tool for you.
Get it at Amazon -
Finger Massage Roller
I used to work at a running store and was converted to the benefits of rollers for physical therapy. While they may seem counterintuitive, the pressure these can apply along your joints and tendons can help a lot. Some reviews mentioned this brand feels a bit cheap, so I would consider this one which uses quartz rollers if you want something more well built.
Get it at Amazon -
Wrist Brace
As I mentioned before I injured my wrist a while back and using a wrist brace was essential to my recovery. Unfortunately I did have access to one like this, which is considerably more comfortable than the one I used. If you need some additional support while you knit this is a great way to help you work for longer without pain. However, while some people report copper having a therapeutic effect on pain, studies show it has no such benefit.
Get it at Amazon
Skin Care Products
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Corn Huskers Lotion
I had never heard of this stuff before, but evidently it's been used by farmers for decades. Knitters rave about it being quick to absorb and not oily. In fact this lotion contains no oil so it won't leave your hands feeling greasy. And it doesn't have a strong smell either.
Get it at Amazon -
Lanolin cream
It's no wonder that a lotion derived from sheep wool is popular with knitters. While some folks have a sensitivity or outright allergy to lanolin, many breastfeeding mother's can attest to its effectiveness. A little bit goes a long way and it won't have any negative effects on your yarn!
Get it at Amazon -
O'Keeffe's Working Hands
If you've worked in health care you've probably already familiar with this one. It also is not greasy and many people like that it comes in a tub and is easy to find. Another one that goes a long way.
Get it at Amazon -
Moisturizing Gloves
I saw quite a few knitters recommending slathering on petroleum jelly and sleeping with cotton gloves on. It's a bit of extra work, but multiple people in forums swore that it's the best preventative measure against dry or rough hands.
Get it at Amazon
BONUS ITEM
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Emery Boards
After my "perfect knitting bag" post, someone suggested an emery board should be in every knitters project bag. I totally agree. As someone who used to bite their nails religiously, having a nail file on hand has helped me break the bad habit. Not only that, but it keeps you from snagging any yarn on your finger tips.
Get it at Amazon
Some of these are affiliate links. Buying through them supports The Yarnist at no extra cost to you.
Conclusion
So there you have it!
If you’re in need of some good hand care these products should put you on the right track.
But what do you think?
Did I miss an item you would have included?