Crochet fans, do you suffer with pain in your hands?

[Cezzy]

A bit of an odd title I know, but recently when I crochet I get awful pain and cramp in my hook hand, around my knuckles, the other is fine. I have tried holding the hook with straight fingers which helps a little and it happens when I have only been going a few mins. I try not to hold the hook too tight and suspect it may be a touch of arthritis! I am naturally left handed but crochet right handed as that is how I was taught. Does anyone else suffer from this and if so, have you found anything to ease it as I don't want to give up hooking as it stops me eating in the evenings and is my best diet aid!

[TheWoollybacksWife]

I knit and crochet and used to get pain in my hands until I switched to bamboo needles and hooks.

I am now such a convert that I bought my mum bamboo hooks for Christmas and my sister bamboo knitting needles as they have both complained about sore hands.

Unfortunately after a thread on here I now covet rosewood hooks and needles.

[Cezzy]

I use wood hooks,currently bamboo and a nice multi coloured double ended set but not sure what wood. Rosewood sounds nice.

[EllenJaneisstillnotmyname]

I do whenever I take it up again after a long pause. I think it's a combination of holding the thread and hook too tightly and using unfamiliar muscles. It generally gets better after a few days. Hope it's not arthritis, Cezzy.

[Cezzy]

I may look out for some hooks with thicker grips, that may help.

[craftynclothy]

I sometimes do if I've been doing it for hours or if I haven't done any in a few weeks (I have to build the time up iykwim).

I find switching hooks can help. I also recently got some hooks where the handles are covered with polymer clay as someone had said they are good if you get pain in your hands and they seem comfy so far.

[aJumpedUpPantryBoy]

I used to and I tried lots of different hooks - the best ones for me are addi sqing hooks which have a curved ergonomical handle.

[aJumpedUpPantryBoy]

That should say Addi Swing hooks

[Doyouthinktheysaurus]

Sometimes I do, tends to be to do with me concentrating too much when I'm struggling!

I use knit pro symfonie wood hooks which are an absolute joy to use, much nicer than metal and less chance of pain ime.

[Cezzy]

Thanks for the advice, I'll gave a look at the hooks you suggest.

[FireOverBabylon]

If you already have hooks that you like, get some fimo clay. You can wrap a chunk of it around your hook, grab hold of it as you hold the hook when crocheting and bake it to set the impression in place, creating your own chunky grip hooks.

[WhyohWhyCantIThinkofaFabName]

I second the Addi swing hook too...I have a couple now and they really are lovely to use and have got rid of the pain in my fingers I used to get with the regular shaped hooks.