"I’ve been a knitter much longer than I’ve been a physical therapist or an ergonomist, but I still remember my first addi experience. I was knitting an afghan with let’s say “rustic” wool, and (horrors) bamboo needles. Ah, the ergonomically unenlightened knitter that I was. More time spent than one would hope for the amount of fabric produced, I confess my forearms were positively sore. Then one evening while working on that project in a knitting circle at a local yarn shop I spied them. Shiny, sleek, and downright sexy (yes, a knitting needle can be sexy!), someone across the table was working with an addi Turbo®. I can’t lie - I was indeed first impressed by how beautiful those needles looked. But, it didn’t take much observation to see how effortless they made that knitter’s work. Stitches were soaring. So then and there I bought a circular to replace the bamboo needle I was using. Smooth, fluid, and best of all comfortable, my knitting experience was transformed.
That was my first addi Turbo® and I’ve been a fan ever since. I’m a lot more ergonomically savvy now than I was at that time and I still love my Turbos. They pair perfectly with yarns that offer resistance on other needles, reducing the work of forearm and hand muscles. Their cables are strong, smooth, well behaved and support even a heavy afghan without fuss. I love how the reflective surface of the needle creates value contrast with nearly any yarn - which makes using them easy on the eyes in more ways than one. Comfort is always an ergonomic priority and addi Turbos® help me knit comfortably."
It's no secret that we are fans of Carson Demers and his work to help fiber artists continue making with less opportunity for injuries. his book, Knitting Comfortably: The Ergonomics of Handknitting contains all the information you could need to help ensure a long life of comfortable crafting. We are also delighted to offer this book for purchase in our shop and online.
Imagine being told you have to stop knitting because of discomfort in your hands, arms, neck, or back. Imagine the sense of frustration and the longing to get the needles back in your hands. Imagine the lingering doubt you might have when you can pick them up again: “What was I doing wrong after all these years of knitting?” “Will I get hurt again?” “Will I have to stop knitting forever to make this pain go away?” Maybe you’d like to be a faster, more efficient knitter, or a knitter who produces more projects, but you’re not sure what’s getting in the way.
This book will help you understand the ergonomics of knitting so you can improve your safety, efficiency, and productivity in knitting. You’ll learn to identify ergonomic risks that contribute to injury and reduce knitting efficiency. Throughout the book, you’ll be provided with activities and guidance to improve your knitting ergonomics so you can knit more confidently and comfortably. Through instruction in stretches, exercise, and self-care, you’ll also learn how to manage the discomfort common to knitters before it becomes an injury, and how to recognize when it’s time to seek help from a health-care professional.
Want to knit comfortably? Get your very own copy of Carson's book here:
About Carson Demers:
By day, Carson is a physical therapist who runs an ergonomics program for a San Francisco Bay Area medical center. Every other moment, he’s knitting, spinning, designing, teaching, writing, or otherwise up to some fiber fun with a watchful eye toward ergonomics. His passion and experience in fiber arts combine with his expertise in physical therapy and ergonomics to create a unique skill set that he eagerly shares with the fiber community at local yarn shops, guilds, and major knitting events across the country. He is a regular contributor to Ply magazine.