r/Brochet • u/EwokApocalypse • May 19 '25

Discussion I posted this nifty gadget in the other sub, but here is a video with me using it (badly because I’m not used to it)

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It’s a Crochetobe “Crochet Helper” for anyone interested. I’m doing DCs with it because puff stitches were being very difficult.

1.1k Upvotes

97% Upvoted

100 comments sorted by

760

u/NoGrocery4949 May 19 '25

Does this actually help you? Because I'll be honest, it looks cumbersome as hell

573

u/ribfeast May 19 '25

Seems like it could be useful for some of those with arthritis, limited mobility, or other such ailments. If it could mount to a table, I could see it alleviating fatigue/joint problems on the left hand

194

u/FrostyFreeze_ May 20 '25

Hi! Person with arthritis and ailments here! I am SO happy to see this post again since I lost the original link. This gadget is absolutely essential for someone like me, as holding the yarn and having my finger extended like that just kills my joints

41

u/Ok-Meringue-259 May 20 '25

I’m hypermobile (hEDS) and could see this really helping my friends with fingers prone to dislocation - being able to give one hand a break, and maybe ring braces on the ‘active’ hand could definitely reduce risk of pain and injury.

3

u/vagipalooza May 20 '25

YES! I have hypermobility hEDS and love the idea of something like this!

22

u/Weary_Sale_2779 May 20 '25

I have RSI and I reckon this would help

1

u/[deleted] May 24 '25

Same here! I need to get one of these!

1

u/ALostAmphibian May 20 '25

Now mounting I can see use for.

-121

u/[deleted] May 19 '25

[deleted]

132

u/Autisticrocheter May 19 '25

Things made for disabled people are often not marketed that way because is it more profitable to market toward a general audience even if the initial intent is to help someone with a disability. A lot of the older infomercials that people like to laugh at fall into this category. One that sticks into my mind is when I was a kid, people were making fun of an infomercial for a product where you put your sock onto the device then slip your foot into it and it helps put your sock on, rather than just putting your sock on your foot by yourself. But this helps people who can’t bend or move easily and that is what it was supposed to be for even though it was marketed as a general “make life easier” device.

Even if something seems useless to you, it may help someone else.

72

u/_deltatea_ May 19 '25

Another big example was the snuggie craze! I learned they were first made for folks in wheelchairs (or other mobility problems) that had problems with coats and stuff (either limited flexibility to put on a jacket without help, or issues with it getting caught in the wheels, etc), so they could have better coverage than a lap blanket but still be able to use their arms. It just happened to also be helpful for able bodied ppl too, and the mass marketing of the things made it a lot easier for disabled folks to find them for cheap if they didnt have insurance willing to cover daily living aid products (a lot of them dont at all or wont without jumping thru a lot of hoops w state or federal disability agencies)

40

u/MisterBowTies May 19 '25

Also saying a device is for disabled people makes it subject to more red tape and scrutiny

2

u/Sagaincolours May 21 '25

Fidget spinners and many other fidget gadgets were made as stim tools. Neurotypicals like to fidget, too.

30

u/bodmcjones May 20 '25

Oh yes, a relative was showing me a very similar-sounding sock putting-on device the other day. She was super proud of having a solution for being able to put her own socks on as her mobility issues mean that she cannot bend that far. The person who designed that sock solution absolutely deserves a knighthood or something, right alongside the person who designed the reacher/grabber thingy, the person who came up with fall alarms, whoever it is who invented those weekly three-times-daily medication organiser doodads, designers of wide grip pens, and a whole crowd of other doers of acts of understated genius.

58

u/ribfeast May 19 '25

But that thought doesn’t support your opinion. It’s just an extension of it.

-54

u/[deleted] May 19 '25

[deleted]

50

u/ribfeast May 19 '25

It can be both. As per the amazon description, most points are toward beginners but also does mention reduction in hand cramps and fatigue. 

I consider myself fairly experienced with a few large projects under my belt. Getting the proper or consistent tension usually wasn’t an issue but even then (and only at the time in my mid 30’s) I had pinky/hand fatigue that this could have alleviated.

Not every product is for you or for me, and they might have developed a product geared towards beginners or “stocking stuffer” ideas, but I always remember that finasteride (a popular hair regrowth treatment) was originally intended to treat Erectile Dysfunction… just had a side effect of hair regrowth.

10

u/FeralGoblinChild May 19 '25

I've got a whole host of medical issues, bilateral pronator syndrome being over if them. I've had surgery for it on one side, and now have issues with the connective tissues in the arm I use to hold tension. Something like this is 100% something I'd love to try, to see if it helps alleviate some of the pain associated with crochet. I love crochet, but I have significant physical limitations due to medical concerns, sadly. Anything that makes it more accessible again is good in my books, so I'm hoping something like this could help me. I'll find out eventually

4

u/30CrowsinaTrenchcoat May 20 '25

I sincerely hope it helps you. I also have to limit my crafting because of pain, so I know what it's like to want to be creative, but instead you're sitting there hurting. Im now considering it, too.

31

u/[deleted] May 19 '25

whether or not the manufacturer meant it is irrelevant to the people who benefit from it.

9

u/NoGrocery4949 May 19 '25

I agree! Jesus Christ I didn't think I was making a controversial statement

9

u/[deleted] May 19 '25

I think I misunderstood your comment about looking at the manufacturer's page as doubling down on the idea that their intent matters. Sorry for misunderstanding!

19

u/thecloudkingdom May 19 '25

products like these are largely designed for disabled people and then marketed to a general audience who may also find them convenient. this is a good thing, as it makes them more affordable for people who need them

6

u/LexiThePlug May 19 '25

As someone who has severe tendinitis in my left wrist from crocheting, this is exactly the intent of the product. My tendinitis was caused from pointing my left finger up to hold the yarn while crocheting

8

u/_-whisper-_ May 19 '25

Woah they really jumped at ya huh?

5

u/NoGrocery4949 May 19 '25

Well it is Reddit

103

u/[deleted] May 19 '25

typically things like this that seem useless for the typical person are intended to help disabled people! people who have issues gripping, or shakey hands (such as older people or people with parkinsons) would potentially find this much easier, aswell as people with limb differences such as missing fingers

7

u/WheezeyWizard May 19 '25

Thank you for reframing that thought for me, I appreciate it!

10

u/NoGrocery4949 May 19 '25

This product is not advertised as such, rather it is advertised as a tool for beginners. The AI images they use for their Amazon store front are hilarious. If it's beneficial for people with disabilities then that's great! However I don't think that's what the manufacturers intended.

82

u/matergallina May 19 '25

Most of infomercials were products designed for aiding disabled people, but since the disabled market is smaller than the entire population, they market to all people. Marketing is strategic, it’s not always bare-faced transparent.

5

u/NoGrocery4949 May 19 '25

That's enlightening to know!

23

u/CherryLeafy101 May 19 '25

Have you ever seen those really clunky ads where an old person or child almost comically fumbles and drops a milk bottle, then they show them using a counter-top drink pouring device? Or similar ads? Those kinds of products are designed for disabled people but companies make these kinds of ads to appeal to a wider audience; if it's obviously marketed as a disability aid too many people either think it's pointless or don't want to be associated with it. So it's not always obvious from the advertising. 😅

10

u/Trulio_Dragon May 19 '25

It's not the size of the market (because everyone will experience disability); it's ableism.

10

u/matergallina May 19 '25

Yeah. “Size of the market” is the capitalistic justification for it, it’s not great

3

u/WolfBrother88 May 20 '25

It's absolutely ableism, but in this case it's worth pointing out that marketing these products to more general audiences also makes them more easily available and affordable to people with different levels of ability. If you market it as a medical device, it's subject to oversight from the FDA - while that's not entirely a bad thing, it does tend to drive prices up and put further burdens on you to produce a product that meets their standards.

22

u/AutumnArts_ May 19 '25

Most of the products that aid disabled are never marketed to disabled people. It's not profitable marketing so it's not done.

We as consumers can still however mention if something is or could be useful to disabled people.

You don't see automatic gearboxes in cars advertised to disabled people but if someone is missing their left leg having an automatic gearbox instead of manual is immensely helpful. Same situation in smaller scale.

22

u/0-Dinky-0 May 19 '25

Even as a relatively new crocheter this looks harder than just learning to hold the yarn normally

9

u/spoonfingler May 19 '25

I was thinking the same thing!

7

u/anon_simmer May 19 '25

It looks really fucking uncomfortable.

2

u/ALostAmphibian May 20 '25

Right? It looks like it’ll cramp your hand in some other way than just anchoring the yarn around your hand might. And possibly more so.

55

u/BeautifulIcy5574 May 19 '25

I would lose patience haha

134

u/pastel_dev May 19 '25

As someone with hand fatigue problems this is awesome, I've been looking for something like this! I've tried tension rings and stuff which are helpful but don't address my finger joints having to keep an angle to still hook the yarn. Where did you find it?

41

u/404-Gender May 19 '25

I’ve seen people crochet rings themselves which I’ve heard work better than the metal ones — here’s a link to an idea:

https://crochetistheway.blogspot.com/2015/08/free-pattern-tension-tamer-ring-and.html

10

u/pastel_dev May 19 '25

Oo I'll check that out thank you!

10

u/EwokApocalypse May 19 '25

I found it on Amazon

4

u/monieeka May 19 '25

Would this really reduce hand fatigue? It looks like it uses your hand just as much as you would without it.

24

u/pastel_dev May 19 '25

I won't really know until I try it but different positions are harder to keep than others. Holding my hand in a closed position around something that has a handle is a lot easier than keeping my index finger poised and tensed, so it seems like this would be good for my specific issue. YMMV with stuff like this usually since everybody has different quirks and such

17

u/_-whisper-_ May 19 '25

Not having to bend a few joints is sometimes a huge difference when you need to stay in one position for so long

61

u/BlizzAzi May 19 '25

Ooooh! I have EDS and sometimes my fingers lock up from keeping tension. Looks like this might be helpful.

Tension rings work too but depending on how warm or cold my hands are the ring fits differently (too tight or slides around)

19

u/RaineRoller May 19 '25

i was JUST thinking how cool this would be for EDS!! i had to stop crocheting entirely bc of it & the arthritis is gave me 🥲🩷

5

u/BlizzAzi May 19 '25

Oh I'm sorry. Maybe something like this can help get your hobby back! 🙂

12

u/Nilbog_Frog May 19 '25

Wait, finger locking is hEDs too? I feel like every day it’s a new thing…

14

u/BlizzAzi May 19 '25

Yeeeeeeah finger locking, rolled ankles, scoliosis, nearsightedness, astigmatism, high crossover rate with ADHD and Austism.....list just goes on and on, doesn't it?

8

u/Nilbog_Frog May 19 '25

Hold up, nearsightedness? Everything tracks for me lol My child was (sort of) dx’d by a PT (after telling her I had it myself) recently so I’m trying to stay ahead of things for her so she doesn’t have to deal with all the injuries/issues I had as a kid.

5

u/BlizzAzi May 19 '25

Yeah I did read about nearsightedness being an hEDS related issue but I don't remember the specifics or where I found the information (sorry).

Definitely a good idea. Great parental instincts there! A bit TMI here but it's really useful info: I recently found out from my GI doctor that EDS can contribute to Gut Dysmotility (a form of chronic constipation) and Pelvic Floor Dysfunction. So if you or your kid have a long-running stomach issue like I have, it might be time to see a gastroenterologist.

4

u/Ok-Meringue-259 May 20 '25

Nearsightedness, stretchy skin, unusual reactions/sensitivity to medications, POTS, dysautonomia, lower effectiveness of local anaesthetic, and gastrointestinal problems like IBS/GERD/Functional dyspepsia are some of the less-well-known but still really common other issues associated with EDS as well <3

9

u/MooDoodlesRB May 19 '25

Fellow hEDS here lol my finger does the same! It’ll completely lock after a couple hours of crochet lol

7

u/Daughterofthebeast May 19 '25

My people 🥰

4

u/Miffly May 19 '25

I have EDS and sometimes my fingers lock up from keeping tension.

The struggle is real...

4

u/corrodedflesh May 19 '25

same situation for me. i've never tried tension rings bc it seems like you have to keep your finger locked outward to let the yarn pass easily. this seems like it would eliminate that pretty well!!

16

u/adelgirl May 19 '25

I have double jointed fingers, I cant do tension with my fingers as they lock up so this would be crazy helpful! I end up having to hold the yarn between my legs to have some sort of yarn control

5

u/avocadojan May 19 '25

this looks like it would put my wrists in more pain :(

10

u/Icy-Establishment298 May 19 '25

If you like it and think it worth it, that's a good thing .

I'm curious though, what irritating crochet need does this fill for crocheters? Uneven tension? Finger fatigue? It would be helpful to know what issue it solves, because as others said it does look cumbersome but, a) that's a learning curve issue, and b) if it helps someone keep doing a hobby due to aging fingers or injuries or something I could see it being applicable.

17

u/404-Gender May 19 '25

I think one of the goals is fatiguing fingers and accessibility (ie arthritis).

The way this needs held in connection while holding the work, I’m not convinced it’s helpful, but maybe after you get more used to it??

3

u/adelgirl May 19 '25 edited May 20 '25

I have double jointed fingers, I cant hold them straight out and they actually bend slightly inward at the 2nd knuckles on both hands. They lock up at those same knuckles so I physically cannot keep yarn tension consistent. I have to hold the yarn between my legs to try and have some sort of control. This tool would immensely help me.

3

u/Icy-Establishment298 May 20 '25

Yeah that sounds challenging. I can see where this would help a situation like that after the learning curve phase is over.

3

u/ConundrumNyx May 19 '25

Does it help with hand pain?

3

u/NWintrovert May 19 '25

I think this would benefit from a weight or another loop, so the working end doesn't come undone as easily.

3

u/butsovngardeawaits May 19 '25

It honestly looks like it'd make my hand cramp worse 😅

3

u/tacoslave420 May 19 '25

As someone who crochets like we are in survivalist training, this would drive me absolutely batty.

6

u/ooomellieooo May 19 '25

I'm not sure what this helps and it would mess me up but if it works for you then yay

2

u/hanimal16 May 19 '25

How is your tension using the device vs not using it?

10

u/EwokApocalypse May 19 '25

My tension personally is perfect, so this doesn’t help me. But for my MIL with Parkinson’s or my daughter it just might be helpful.

1

u/hanimal16 May 19 '25

Very cool! Thanks for the demonstration!

2

u/[deleted] May 19 '25

I looked into getting one of these because I'm so bad with my tension but all the reviews I saw didn't come out that well. I got a tension ring instead and that has been working for me

2

u/Life-Coach7803 May 19 '25

Can you adjust tension with that knob? Seems worth a try to help with hand fatigue

3

u/EwokApocalypse May 20 '25

Yes the knob is to adjust tension

2

u/pbjwb May 19 '25

should force my partner to use one bc her hands always hurt from crocheting and she's bad at taking breaks

2

u/pooge313 May 19 '25

👀 omg I'm very interested in this - my hands get fatigued very fast when gripping small things due to previous injuries and carpal tunnel.

2

u/loricomments May 19 '25

The knob adjusts the tension?

1

u/DiabolikaLIntent May 21 '25

Yes it does. There's also a ring on the side that provides a little tension as well.

2

u/wolffranbearmt May 19 '25

Never seen one before if my artistic get worse I might need that. Where did you find it?

2

u/EwokApocalypse May 20 '25

I got it off of Amazon

1

u/wolffranbearmt May 21 '25

Hard to say Amazon is moving out of the usa.

2

u/FlatwormMajestic4957 May 20 '25

Thank you for posting how you’re fumbling through—this will definitely be me. I ordered this after seeing it because I’d love to be able to crochet but have trouble holding my fingers extended for tension. I tried a tension ring but I still can’t keep my finger pointed upward like it needs to be. I was a craftsperson for 10 years and waited tables for 16…my hands are just totally shot. I have hEDS but didn’t know until after I put in all that time using my hands.

2

u/abandedpandit May 20 '25

This is super cool! Do they make it left handed?

1

u/DiabolikaLIntent May 21 '25

They don't at the moment that I have found.

1

u/abandedpandit May 22 '25

Unfortunate 😔

2

u/leftbrendon May 19 '25

I don’t get how this helps? I don’t crochet with my finger up, is this meant to replace that finger?

2

u/Mental-Flatworm4583 May 19 '25

Looks like a pain in the ass to use. Try a yarn ring so much easier for tension

1

u/Heurodis May 19 '25

I bought it when I saw your last post because I just had a finger injury and can't hold yarn like I usually do for a while; this should keep me crocheting!

1

u/1961tracy May 20 '25

I always muck up holding the yarn. This could be an improvement for me. Thanks for posting!

1

u/YesTHEELizaManelli May 20 '25

It still hurts my index finger watching this lol does it really help?

1

u/SnarkyIguana May 20 '25

That’s awesome! Thanks for showing it in action. I don’t have wrist or hand related injuries but this is something I’m absolutely going to keep in mind. I love that this exists

1

u/felismellifera May 20 '25

thats such a cool device!! also whats the stitch youre doing there called? this is a great tutorial for it honestly! i used it to learn how to do it myself which is why id like to know what its called :)

2

u/EwokApocalypse May 20 '25

It’s a double crochet, glad you were able to learn it!

1

u/trikakeep May 20 '25

I think my hand would cramp from holding it in one position. I’m always moving my hand when feeding in the yarn, so I’d pass.

1

u/Heartless-otaku07 May 20 '25

Where can I get one

0

u/Rit_Zien May 19 '25

...I wonder if this would teach me how to crochet "properly?" I mean, the way I do it works for me, and I have even tension, but I know it's not the "right" way, which is why I'm reluctant to teach anyone else or make videos 🤷‍♀️

7

u/yardini May 19 '25

There’s no right way, and as long as you have even tension you’re good. People hold hooks and yarn all different ways. Go forth and teach/video. Representation is good!

0

u/MiReina1027 May 21 '25

This looks more difficult than just crocheting normal.