Rachel knits eight hours a day, six days a week. Custom orders, her own designs, commission pieces. Her hands are in constant motion, and the repetitive stress is real.
"Hobby knitting is relaxing. Production knitting is athletic. The difference is volume — thousands of stitches become millions."
Managing the Load
Rachel varies her projects to change hand positions. She takes structured breaks. She tapes her needle-gripping fingers when she feels hot spots developing.
"I've watched other production knitters burn out physically. Carpal tunnel, tendinitis, chronic pain. I'm determined not to join them."
Still Knitting
Fifteen years into professional knitting, Rachel's hands remain healthy. The prevention strategies that seemed excessive early in her career have proven essential.