How much do you knit?

Knitting can become quite obsessive for me. Just one more row, I tell myself. And then two hours have passed. I try to limit my knitting for when I'm watching t.v. in the evening. That way I have an external reminder to stop. Otherwise I could knit all night. It's a great hobby, but locking your arms in that position and the repetitive nature of it can lead to a lot of problems. Sometimes you just have to put it down and walk away. During the warmer months I don't knit at all. It's too hot under the fabric. But in the winter when blankets always feel nice and cozy, a piece of knitting can be a lovely addition. I like to do scarvess and shawls. Clothes elude me. I just don't have the patience for the blocking and the work involved in doing a sweater. Not to mention if you want to make a piece for a normal sized adult on size 2 (U.S.) needles, it's infuriating. Give me a nice rectangle I can bind off and finish up. Never understimate the value of a scarf. :)

I have had to have two carpal tunnel surgeries. The surgery has progressed so much since my first one. I was laid up for two weeks with the first one and then had about a week of rehab. The second one, which was on my left and non-dominant hand. It was wrapped up for seven days and I didn't need any rehab on it because I was able to use it while it was recovering from being cut. Before the surgery I got the hand eze gloves that helped A LOT! It puts gentle pressure on the tendons and for some reason they don't swell. It helped since not only am I an avid knitter but I also make and sell artist teddy bears. I just started needle felting and am thoroughly enjoying it and having a ball planning projects and finding supplies. Try the hand eze glove, they do help.

Like you, I used to knit all of the time. My shoulders won't allow me to now, so I have to be careful how much time I spend knitting. I can sometimes get carried away with it and spend hours at it, then I pay for it the next day.

I love knitting and I was once addicted to it. I couldn't go anywhere without it. Sometimes if I couldn't sleep, I would get up and start knitting. I used to knit traditional aran sweaters for all my family and when they no longer wanted them, I just knit them and sold them on eBay. I have since got interested in other crafts and hobbies so now I do very little knitting. I will probably do a little a little bit when the dark evenings set in but I will only knit small things. Best of luck with your Christmas presents and take care of your hands.

I know Im late in responding to this discussion, but wanted to say, I knit for about 5 hours a day at the very least. I am addicted!! I love knitting it brings me so much joy. I make booties for preemies and when i have around 100 pairs I give half to a local charity shop and half to the local hospital. This way it means I get to indulge in my favorite pasttime and people get help from it too!! Having read through the previous comments I wasnt aware that knitting could lead to problems in the hands I will definatly be prtecting my joints from now on. I have only been knitting for about 2 years but in that time I have got really good at it and really enjoy it. I make things for people for Christmas and Birthdays too, well started that last year. I have just started my list of presents for this Christmas and will be making booties in between :)

i used to knit all the time also but then my life picked up and got busy and i do not have the time to knit as i once did and i really miss it i also like to keep my hands busy and it is hard for me to keep them still but does knitting really cause carpal tunnel? that is something that i would really like to avoid i will have to check into that because i type on the computer working for hours everyday and that would probable cause carpal tunnel also i think dishclothes and stockings would make a great Christmas present