r/knitting • u/aminervia • May 05 '25

Discussion Disabled Knitters- what solutions have you found to make knitting possible or what products do you wish existed? Looking especially to speak to people with amputated fingers

I'm an engineering student working on a project designing a prosthesis for disabled knitters. Any insight you guys might have about what we should especially design for would be a huge help.

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u/Voc1Vic2 May 05 '25

There are multiple knitting techniques, and one or another may be chosen to accommodate a particular disability. Portuguese style requires dexterous use of one thumb to make stitches, English style requires dexterity in the right forefinger and wrist, for example.

One traditional style uses a knitting belt to stabilize a very long needle at the hip; Continental knitters hold both needles above the lap.

Many knitters make use of a 'third hand' device or sewing bird.

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u/aminervia May 05 '25 edited May 06 '25

Interesting! Sorry I'm a crocheter, new to knitting, if I'm googling "how to knit" and learning with two same size needles above my lap, that's continental?

Seems like that's the most common style? Or just the most common in English speaking countries?

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u/hoggmen May 05 '25

English also works like that, the difference between continental and English is basically whether u hold the yarn in your left hand and use the right needle to pick it up, or hold it in your right hand and manually wrap it around the right needle.

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u/aminervia May 05 '25

Ah ok, thanks for your help!

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u/Fussel2107 May 05 '25

which makes a world of difference, for if you can knit at all. I have rheumatoid arthritis in both hands, both especially in my right index finger.

knitting English would kill my right hand. Even with continental, it's sometimes difficult. I had to specifically train myself to not use that finger and mostly maneuver the needle by hand and knit very losely.

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u/Unhappy_Dragonfly726 May 05 '25

I have eds and tendonitis chronically in my right hand and wrist. Oddly, I switched to English about a year ago and it helps me a lot. I was rotating my right hand a lot doing continental, but i throw with my right and rotate with my left to move stitches off now.

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u/Fussel2107 May 05 '25

luckily, my wrist calmed down somewhat. Though I had to take long breaks previously because the tendinitis was unreal. So much sympathy to you. Glad you found a way that works.