Newbie In Pain!

#1

I’ve only used crochet for edges on knitted projects, so I decided I’d try an all-crochet project. And, of course, I chose a beginner scarf.

However, I think I made a bad decision. The pattern is chain 300 (approx. 6 feet), dc for 2 rows, change color and dc for 2 rows, cont. until it is the width you want. This makes stripes going the length of the scarf.

This is a lot of dc’s and my wrists are really hurting! I can knit for hours and hours without hand or wrist pain, so I’m really concerned.

Do you think this is too much for a first project? Should I frog and start over with something else? Perhaps stripes going the other way (the width of the scarf)? If so, should I still use 2 rows of dc’s?

#2

Poor dear! This is not going to be very helpful, but since nobody else has responded yet, I’ll give you my thoughts anyway. I can’t see that it would matter which direction you use – width or length; you’ll still have the same area to stitch. Maybe you should change your grip. If you’re a pencil gripper, try the knife grip; if you’re a knife gripper, try the pencil grip. What size hook are you using? If it’s a small hook, maybe a hook with a fatter handle would help. If all else fails, take longer breaks. Crochet for a short time, then take a knitting break. Good luck!

#3

I’d try something smaller, and you’re probably nervous starting a new craft, RELAX! I know, easier said than done!! Try looking on crochetpatterncentral.com They have LOADS of patterns with everything you can think of. Good Luck, let us know how you’re doing.

#4

Thank you! I’m using H size hook and worsted weight yarn. I’m guessing I am crocheting for too long at a time. I just assumed that since I can knit for long periods of time, I could with crochet too, but I think the two must use different hand and wrist muscles.

I think I have gone too far to turn back now because the scarf is now about 3 inches wide and over 6 feet long. I couldn’t stand to frog now!

My thought process on the pattern is that one row is over 6 feet long, and I have a hard time stopping in the middle of the row (my knitter’s mentality, I guess) so I’ve been doing a row or two at a time. That’s a lot of dc’s for a newbie!

I know in the end the scarf would be the same width and length, but I thought if I started over and knit the width, I would be doing much shorter rows and would probably stop more often. I’m thinking like a knitter, right?

#5

I’d have to agree with what the others wrote. Are you crocheting tightly. The hook should be able to glide easily through the loops, if you are having to fight to do that try to loosen up on your yarn tension. Also, give yourself time to build up strength. You are probably using muscles or twisting a joint in a way that you don’t with knitting. I would start out only crocheting a certain amount of time each day (say 15 minutes), then every few days increase that time gradually. I know when I haven’t crocheted for awhile and then I kick into high crocheting gear my right elbow will be sore for a few days. One more thing I just thought of, you don’t need to be gripping the crochet hook tightly. You want it to be stable in your hand but you don’t need to be squeezing it. Hope some of these suggestions help. I love to crochet and I would love to hear that you are enjoying it also.

Karin

#6

Whoa! You must be doing better than OK if you’ve gotten that far along! Good Job! I agree with Dorcas, maybe limit the amount you do each day, or at least take like a 15 minute break every once in a while. Keep on truckin!!

#7

I meant to add that I have since learned that those stitches are sturdy and don’t go anywhere. Last night I stopped right in the middle of the row, and when I checked this morning, nothing terrible had happened! All stitches are in place and ready to go.

BTW - are they still called ‘stitches’ in crochet?

#8

I don’t think I’m crocheting too tightly because the hook is moving smoothly, and quite quickly, much to my amazement. However, good point about gripping the hook too tightly. My thumb and middle finger feel sore (almost like a blister is coming up) so I must be holding on too tight.

#9

If you started over to make stripes going the other way, you’d have an awful lot of ends to weave in. That would be a nightmare. I’d just keep going. Like you said, you can stop anywhere in the row to take a break.

Yes, they are called stitches in crochet. :slight_smile:

#10

BTW - are they still called ‘stitches’ in crochet?

:roflhard: :roflhard: :roflhard:

[FONT=Comic Sans MS][COLOR="#300090"]What do you think we call 'em: sts, sc, dc, etc.?

Yes, they are stitches. I also agree that you are gripping the hook too tightly.

I also have [had] trouble with numbness and pain when I crochet for too long.

[B]Edit to add:[/B] I have learned to keep my wrist straight and to relax my grip on the hook (or needle). And you really can stop crocheting practically anywhere on a project. If you expand the loop and slip a corner of your work through the loop you can even safely remove the hook should you need to use it on another more pressing project.

My trouble is then with keeping track of what hook hook size I was using on an UFO before I stopped to do something else with the same hook. :wall:

– Jack[/COLOR][/FONT]

#11

I have experienced numbness and pain off and on for the past many years while doing my handwork. I mentioned it to my doctor and, of course, he suggested not doing my handwork. Can you believe that?

Anyway, here are a few items I have found helpful for me. Perhaps you will find them helpful too.

Thera-glove and Comfort Cushion

Also I find that if I have not been crocheting for quite some time, and then I pick it up again, it takes a few sessions of crocheting for my right arm and hand to get used to it again. Then after that initial shock, I’m pretty good to go for the long haul of a full size afghan.

I also agree about changing how you hold your hook. Pencil grip KILLS me, but I know a lot of people who can’t crochet any other way. I much prefer knife grip!

Good luck,
MGM

#12

I have some serious ongoing pain issues and my experience has been that knitting is much easier for me than crocheting is.

I used to only crochet, but I picked up knitting a little over ten years ago, mostly due to the pain issues. When I do crochet now, I find that I have to put it down and take a break every few minutes or else I can’t deal with it at all. Maybe you’ll just have to take breaks while doing the crocheting?

Also, I find that I have less pain knitting in the round [I](I use dpn’s)[/I] than straight needles… not sure why, but maybe it’s because I’m more relaxed on the dpn’s than the straights.

Best of luck to you and I hope you’re feeling better!:hug:

#13

I’m a crocheter trying to pick up knitting. And OMG, this dropping/missing stitches is driving me loony! It’s so nice with crochet to put it down somewhere, and not have it unravel on me or have the hook come out of the oh so many loops. But yes. Take it slow at first, and stretch your wrists, because the wrists will affect the elbows, shoulders and all the way into the neck. So keep those muscles from tightening up. Hold the stretches for at least 20 seconds each. My knitter friend thinks crochet is harder, because of all the different stitches to remember, well I’m finding knitting way more complicated by far!

#14

Circular and DPNs put less stress on your hands and wrist joins. I will only knit on circs or dpns. If I hve to use straight I prefer the 10 inch size.