Crochet Pain: How to Feel Better Fast

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Pain from crocheting is every crocheters worst nightmare. We love our craft and we want to do it anywhere and everywhere. So when crochet pain starts to happen, it slows us down or stops us completely.

I have been dealing with crochet pain on and off for a few months now. I just can’t crochet as much as I used to or as long as I used to.

My pain is usually in my left shoulder, arm, or hand. I am left-handed, so this is the side I actually crochet with.

Since I am a crochet pattern designer, my production goes hand in hand with my livelihood. So being in pain can be very stressful for me. I’ve tried just about everything to keep the pain at bay, and get rid of it fast when it comes.

Here are my best tips for both preventing pain and feeling better fast when pain happens.

Tips to Prevent Pain

Sit Properly

As much as I love to just curl up on the couch, with my feet reclined, and crochet it really isn’t the best for my body. If you have a sturdy, yet comfortable, chair that you can sit straight up in that’s where you should crochet.

If you are crocheting on a couch, elevate and support your arms with cushions or pillows and try not to slouch too much. This will help prevent neck and shoulder pain.

Don’t Marathon Crochet

To marathon crochet is to crochet for long hours in the day. I used to do this a lot and would be sore and achy the next day. Now I only crochet for an hour or two a day and take breaks throughout that time.

Crocheting for less time each day will help prevent a sore neck, wrist, and hand.

Take Days Off

This one is not my favorite, because I love to crochet and always want to do it. But to prevent pain, I now take a full day or two off and don’t crochet at all. This gives my body a rest from the repetitive motions of crocheting so that I’m ready to go when I start again.

Use Good Crochet Hooks

You want to use a good, ergonomically correct crochet hook when crocheting. This will help prevent pain and stiffness in your hand and wrist.

Unfortunately, the thin aluminum ones that you can purchase at the craft store for about $2 are not great for your hands.

I recently made the switch to Furls Streamline crochet hooks. These hooks are ergonomically correct and glide so smoothly through the yarn that I feel like I am barely holding it!

Because they are so smooth I feel like I barely have to grip the hook, which take so much pressure off my hands and wrist. I am so pleased with these hooks.

Tips to get Rid of Pain Fast

When crochet pain does happen, I want to get rid of it fast so I can get back to crocheting comfortably. Below are a few things I have found to help accomplish that.

All the Usual Pain Relievers

I will usually take 2 ibuprofen when I start to get shoulder pain from crocheting. I also use ice and heat to relieve the pain and inflammation in my shoulder and arms.

I have found that icing my shoulder at least once a day really helps with pain relief and mobility.

A good muscle rub also helps. I like to use Deep Blue from DoTerra, but any of the other ones you can get at the store work well too.

Daily Exercise and Stretch

This tip could also go in the preventative category, because it helps keep pain away too. But even when the pain is there, it is helpful.

I try to get a workout in at least five days a week. This keeps my muscles strong, gets oxygen flowing, and increases mobility.

I stretch 7 days a week. This helps with the pain and stiffness that comes with crocheting. It also increases mobility and gets my blood flowing.

Massage and Chiropractic Care

I see a chiropractor regularly to help keep my spine aligned and everything in balance. I also recently started getting a massage monthly and that has helped tremendously.

The last massage I got helped loosen me up and work out some major muscle tension. I was feeling better and pain free within 24 hours.

If you are a crocheter who runs a business, like me, or crochets on a daily basis, I would say this type of care is vital to your well being.

Changing Projects

When I’m starting to get pain in my hands and wrist from crocheting, sometimes I will change my project and that will help.

By using a different hook and yarn size, it puts my hands into a slightly different position. That helps with the stiffness and cramping that creates pain.

I hope you find these tips to be helpful to preventing and getting rid of crochet related pain. I am not a doctor, so if pain persists or is unbearable please call your physician. Happy Crocheting!

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