Crocheters be nimble, crocheters be quick; get up and move so you don’t get stiff!

It’s easy to get consumed by a crochet project and not move for hours while you complete it.  By doing this, though, you may become stiff and fatigued.  Not a great after affect from practicing your favorite activity. 

Here are 8 stretches, exercises and habits to help keep your joints and muscles loose while you crochet.

Wiggle & Shake

Put your hands out in front of you and wiggle your fingers for a few seconds.  Next, shake your hands a little.  This will help loosen up everything.

Crochet Duffle Bag from The Hemline

Praying Hands

I picked this one up from Fresh Stitches and Crochet Spot.  Place your palms together in front of body, thumbs close to your chest and your fingers pointed up toward your neck.  Gently press your hands together and hold for about 10 seconds.  Slowly swivel your hands back and forth a couple times.

Yes and no

Starting with the yes, gently nod your head up and down, pausing briefly at the end of each up and down motion.  After doing this a couple times, change to no.  Slowly, move your head back and forth, pausing as you did with the up and down.

Reach up and stretch

Lace your fingers together and reach them above your head.  Keeping fingers laced together, slowly pivot your wrists so your palms are facing up.  Slowly reach farther up and back slightly for a good stretch for your arms and back.

Half of the half moon

This is a much smaller version of the yoga half moon pose.  Reach your right arm straight up above your head and slowly bend to the left gently stretching your arm over your head.  You should feel a nice stretch along the right side of your body to your lower back.  Repeat with the left side.

Chair cat-cow stretch

Water Bottle Cover from Crochet Me

Sit straight up and tall in your chair with your hands palm down on your knees and your feet planted flat on the floor.  Inhale and arch your back and drop your shoulders for a couple seconds.  Exhale, round your spine, letting the shoulder and head come forward.  Continue this stretch going back and forth for 5 breaths.

Flex, point and roll
While sitting in your chair, stretch your legs out in front of you.  Gently flex and point your feet back and forth a few times.  Next, roll your ankles in a circle going first to the right then the left.

Don't forget to drink water

This is a suggestion from our COTL president.  Drinking plenty of water is healthy for you regardless of the activity you enjoy.  When you crochet, make sure to drink water which in turn will trigger you get up to use the washroom.  It may sound silly, but it will help you not be stiff.  While you're up, walk around a little before you sit back down.

After this well deserved break, you'll feel refreshed and ready to do more crocheting.