HOW LONG CAN YOU KNIT?

dusty · 01-01-2008, 01:45 PM

I was wondering what the average length of time is for knitting without getting tired. I find I can onlly knit for about 45 minutes to an hour and then I have to stop. I would like to go longer but I find I get tired easily.

boo1 · 01-01-2008, 06:48 PM

1) if the pattern is mindless, I can go for a while BUT it makes me sleepy. 30-40 minutes?

2) if the pattern requires attention, I have to knit in short spurts or I'll start making errors.

But either way, I tend to pick it up again relatively soon. I hate sitting still and doing nothing.

suzeeq · 01-01-2008, 07:16 PM

It's good to take a break and not knit continuously for hours. If you don't stop and move around every little bit, you can end up with tendonitis or an RSI.

Rhea · 01-01-2008, 07:28 PM

When i'm doing mindless knitting in front of the TV time flies. I can get through several shows before stopping.

With difficult patterns though I can only work for about half an hour before I need a break, like Boo1 said, i'll start messing up.

Knitting_Guy · 01-01-2008, 07:32 PM

I take frequent breaks. I tend to knit in relatively short spurts, usually 10 - 15 minutes at a time and then set it down for a couple of minutes to allow my tendons and fingers a break. Avoids the risk of repetitive motion problems.

vaknitter · 01-01-2008, 07:40 PM

If puppies are sleeping and the hubby is occupied I can knit for a couple of hours. I typically have more than one project going at a time so I can go for an hour or so on a prayer shawl (somewhat mindless) and then switch to my Irish Hiking Scarf (more counting) for 30-45 min. I did knit on/off for an 8 hr car ride to and from NY for Christmas.
I have noticed as I get more comfortable knitting I can go for longer periods of time.

bip · 01-01-2008, 07:46 PM

About 6 hours. And then after a short break, 6 more hours. Gosh, why does my body hurt all over? I have had a lot of time off over the holidays, so I have been knitting a lot and my pecs hurt! I wish that meant they were getting buff.

LilHuskiesFootBallMom · 01-01-2008, 07:47 PM

if i'm watching a movie and the pattern is mindless, then as long as the movie is (last one was 2 hours).. same goes for car trips where dh is driving (i make him nervous when i knit in the car LOL)

if it's a complicated pattern, until i get frustrated with it or keep making the same mistake and then i set it down, grab a drink, stretch, etc.....

The.Knitter · 01-01-2008, 07:55 PM

I try to force myself to stop about once every hour to stretch out and walk around a bit. This way I prevent repetitive motion troubles. It does not have to be for long, a couple of minutes will do and then back to the knotting I go. Having said that, when I am marathon knitting, I have been known to sit and knit for 8 hours at a stretch if I am trying to meet a deadline. I DO NOT advise this!

redheadrachel · 01-01-2008, 08:13 PM

I go for several hours at a time. I'm learning to take breaks though, becuase in the past couple weeks, I've started knitting so tightly and keeping such a death grip on my needles that my right ring finger actually goes numb...
And I'm only 20. So I'm really learning to take breaks and also try and loosen my hold.