Carson Demers and Knitting Comfortably
Carson Demers and Knitting Comfortably
Carson Demers and Knitting Comfortably is a Very Important Topic on our Yarn Thing podcast with Marly Bird.
By day Carson is a physical therapist who operates an award winning ergonomics program for a San Francisco medical center. Every other moment he’s knitting, spinning, designing, teaching, or otherwise up to some fiber fun – always 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 to keep us all creating healthfully – and comfortably – ever after.
Carson teaches at knitting, spinning, and other fiber events throughout the US. He loves to teach at local yarn shops and guilds. He has written articles for TNNA and other publications, and is a regular contributor to Ply magazine.
Carson has a new book Knitting Comfortably, The Ergonomics of Handknitting.
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.
Follow Carson Demers through his website: www.ErgoIKnit.com also, he can be found in Twitter and Instagram, and has a designer page in Ravelry.
Categories: Podcast
One small thing I can do to improve the ergonomics of my knitting is by using a document holder! What an easy change to force myself upright to look at patterns! I have been seeing an Osteopath for 5 years and he’s been trying to help me learn proper techniques to improve my posture while knitting. This book is a must have!!
Timely podcast topic as I’ve been having problems with my lower back. Very interested in this book. Carson is very clear and informative. I’m going to improve my knitting posture by getting up during commercials and putting the knitting down more frequently.
How I include ergonomics in my knitting is by drinking water and getting up to refill my glass. I enjoyed your show and how important good habits are.
Loved the podcast! After listening I think I need to reevaluate the way I sit when I knit or crochet. I normally chill on the sofa… but I may move to a chair where I can be more mindful of my posture! Thanks y’all! Thanks ergoknits and Marly!
What a great show today. I took one of Carson’s Classes at the 2016 Minnesota Knitters’ Guild Yarnover event and still have the handouts from it along with the notes that I took. One way to improve the ergonomics of my knitting would be to stretch my wrists/hands.
Love the show! Makes me rethink how I am sitting and where I am sitting while I crochet or knit. Also how often I get up and move. Will definitely start. Thank you so much!
I was reminded that a habit that is so rewarding and pleasurable can be harmful if done incorrectly. I will try to be more mindful of my position while knitting and take frequent stretching breaks. Will also take care to choose the correct needles and yarn.
My light bulb moment during this podcast was when you and Carson talked about having the knitting pattern raised at an angle. Also the glass of water beside your knitting is brilliant. The many small ways that we can ergonomically improve our knitting is fascinating. This book is one I am anxiously awaiting for to be published. Yea!!!
To improve the ergonomics in my knitting I’m going to have a cup of tea next to me while I knit so that I’m forced to get up when necessity calls. I can make more tea then too. I also like the idea of a marker to remind me to move. I have carpal tunnel and have had shoulder issues and would love Carson’s book.
A few things I took away from the podcast on improving the ergonomics of my knitting is that the type of chair I sit in contributes, using yarn marker to remind me to stretch, making the investment in protecting myself in other ways (Driving / computer use) and drinking water to get up to stretch. Very interesting and appropriate.
=0Any tips on how to avoid arthritis? Big fear of mine.
I’m so happy for this info! I need to learn ergonomics I and will try having a better posture. I have arthritis, so my hands are painful anyway. I’m sure this book will help me a lot. I drink water all day and will continue to do so.
I knit mostly during my lunch break at work, so economically, I get up and down a lot to get a drink or chat with coworkers.
I could definitely use to take more movement breaks during my yarn time. The suggestion about drinking water is brilliant!
I am going to set a timer when I knit or crochet so that I remember not to knit for extended periods of time without taking breaks!
I can take more breaks to improve my knitting ergonomics. The book sounds fascinating!
I am an OT and can’t believe I never thought about ergonomics with yarn craft! I agree with Carson that it seems like “it’s your safe” thing to sit and do. Besides the fact that it gets boring to do the same thing over and over, every project I do uses different stitches or pattern. Fun podcast to listen to. Thanks!
There’s not one small thing I can do to improve the ergonomics of my knitting – there are many! Probably the most important for me is to get up and walk every half hour. I can also stretch my hands, shoulders, and hips daily. I can’t wait to get my hands on Carson’s book, which I’m sure will be full of helpful hints.
One thing I will do to improve the ergonomics of my knitting is to drink more water. I will put down my knitting while I drink and do a hand stretch before I pick that knitting back up. I will use my Ulla Hydration reminder at home now as well as at work to make sure it happens.
I’m going to improve my crocheting posture by getting up not spending hours slumped over on my couch and sitting in a better chair while I crochet.
One thing I can do to improve my ergonomic knitting is to get up every half hour and get a drink of water. It will be a goof time to stretch. Also looking into getting a new chair. Looking forward to getting Larson’s book.
One thing I can do to improve the ergonomics of my knitting is using a movement marker as a reminder to get up and stretch! Loved this podcast…when I first taught myself to knit this was the information I was looking for because I was so sore from it! Looking forward to getting the book.
I had never before heard about having a good contrast between the color of your needles and the color of your yarn. Great idea that I’ll implement, especially when working with black or dark yarn!
The one thing that I can do to improve my knitting ergonomics is to get up and MOVE. It is so easy to stay in the chair when listening to a great podcast like today’s with Carson. Thanks! I’m off for a walk on a beautiful spring day!
I loved hearing Carson’s podcast! I’m an Occupational Therapist and a knitter. I often try to find ways to help patient’s be able to return to knitting and crochet after a medical crisis such as a stroke. I applaud Carson for the detail of his book, and will use the lessons from his book for my patients and myself. I will begin to improve my knitting ergonomics by using a get up and move marker!
One small thing that I can do to improve the ergonomics of my knitting is being aware of my posture and ergonomics during my work day so that I can knit comfortably when I get home
I got some proper lighting to avoid hunching over and squinting at my yarn. Then I bought some ergonomic crochet hooks to keep my hands from cramping. Now that I am learning to knit, I am still working on relaxing a bit and not knitting so tight. It will take some deliberate practice!
Well my toddlers definitely help me be ergonomic by getting up often. LOL Though I was sitting cross legged in bed knitting while listening to the podcast, oops! But I don’t do that for very long in the evenings before sleep overtakes me. And I do exercise several times a week with a body weight/gymnastic based program. I’ve noticed that my posture has improved a lot with this program! I used to hunch over like Marly was describing and now its so much easier to keep my shoulders back, my chest up and neck neutral. So much so that I notice when I start to hunch because THAT has now become uncomfortable. Though while listening to the show I was looking at how I was holding my needles and checking how tense I was. I tense ever time I encounter a cable (new skill for me) and have to deliberately relax once I’m past it. Also interested in what he has to say about needles vs yarn vs project. I’m actually waiting for a second set of interchangable needles to arrive b/c I’m not liking the ones I have as much as I thought I would. The book is definitely going on my wish list because I have dealt with some hand pain that I think was crochet related. So glad you were able to get Carson on the show!
I enjoy listening to the show today. Stretching the shoulders back is a great one , to remind me of better posture, from all the slouching we tend to do crafting.
To improve the ergonomics in my knitting I’m going to sit in a chair that has better support, put my pattern at an angle and get up and move around more!
One way to improve the ergonomics of my knitting would be get up and stretch during my knitting sessions. Very interesting book. Thanks for the podcast.
One thing I can do about ergonomics is to get up and stretch while knitting, and to use a special marker to remind me is a wonderful idea! I enjoyed the podcast and learned a lot. Would love to read the book! Thank you, Carson, for sharing with us on the podcast.
Fascinating useful talk. I could improve my ergonomics by moving more, hydrating, and switching projects more often, Looking forward to reading book
One small thing I can do to improve ergonomics of my knitting (and crochet) is sit in better posture and take breaks more frequently.
One small thing I can do to improve the ergonomics of my knitting is to take a stretch / water break between each Netflix episode. I did the blade pinch stretch while stuck in traffic listening. It felt wonderful!
One small that I can do to improve the ergonomics of my knitting is to stretch my shoulder & back muscles when I get up to take a water break. Loved the show & all the tips. Can’t wait to see the book.
Thanks !
I think one way to improve my knitting ergonomics is to use a special marker on my knitting or crochet projects to remind me to get up and move. I have several beautiful markers and this is another fantastic use for them. And I do think I need to choose different seating spots when I knit and crochet as I tend to sit on the couch only.This was a very helpful podcast and I am sure Carson’s book is filled with great info!
I got a lot out of this particular interview! It really has me thinking more about how I’m caring for my body as I knit.
One thing I can do to improve the ergonomics of my knitting is his idea of a document holder. I’ve been deeper into lace lately, and I can really see how that can help. I will also be more conscientious about taking stretch breaks.
Thanks, Carson!
One way I can improve the ergonomics of my crocheting is to not slump over when I crochet. I have back problems and bad sitting posture can cause lots of problems.
One thing I can do to improve the ergonomics of my knitting is to add a movement marker!! I tend to sit for 2 to 3 hours at a time and get so stiff. The book sounds like a real treasure and I need it! Thanks for a great show.
I really need to focus on the ergonomics while I am doing fiber arts, whether its knit, crochet or needle felting, After years of working at a computer desk I do have issued related to comfort and tightness that happens from sitting in one position for a long time without getting up to stretch and work on my posture.!
I thing I try to do to prevent repetitive injuries from knitting is changing between continental style and English style knitting. I also through in some crochet to change up the motion of my hands and wrists.