People often wonder how a knitting belt works and what the benefits are to the knitter. Firstly they are used along with long double pointed needles or DPNs. One end of the DPN is pushed into the knitting belt which makes it very stable and supportive. This helps to reduce fatigue and strain on the wrists, arms and shoulders, enabling the knitter to work at their knitting for long periods. Once proficient at using the long DPNs and the knitting belt, speed also increases as only small movements are needed to knit or purl a stitch. Efficiency is the word that springs to mind. Something Shetland knitters in times past needed when they were knitting to sell and clothe their family.
Life was hard and money was scarce so no moment was wasted either on the croft or with their knitting. Knitting belts allowed them to easily bring their knitting with them when they had small interruptions in the home, like stoking the fire or adding oil to a lamp. They could continue where they had left off without putting their knitting down.
Now in modern times we find they are still useful. Knitters report a return to knitting after not being able to knit due to arthritis, a wrist operation or even a stroke leaving one side paralysed. The knitting belt is a tool that can assist in supporting all these challenges. Maybe not for the hours like Shetland knitters did but certainly for short spells bringing back a joy they thought they had lost.
If you’d like to learn how to use a knitting belt check out my Virtual Knitting Belt classes here Included with the class is a 1 hour live class across Zoom, links to 6 short tutorial videos for 6 months and follow up Zoom Q and A nights every 2-3 weeks. Knitting belts, needles and yarn needed for the class can also be purchased from my online shop here From time to time I offer the knitting belt class in person in Shetland. Please get in touch if you are visiting the islands and are interested in a class. Similarly if you are part of a knitting group or guild and would like a virtual online class for your group on a date and time to suit you, drop me a message by clicking on the link below.
Any questions please get in touch with me here, I will be happy to help.
Janette x
Georgia Wilkinson says:
I have had a mastectomy and have arthritic hands now (61) I love knitting and wondered if I would benefit from a knitting belt to reduce the pain on my chest and hands? if so where can I buy one. I have tried flexi needles and traditional needles I even bought a knitting machine but its not really portable.
Janette Budge says:
Hi Georgia
Yes I do think a knitting belt and long double pointed needles would help you as the belt takes some of the weight of your knitting and you can lean your wrist on the needle in the belt. You can buy knitting belts and needles from my only shop and you’ll also find a knitting belt virtual class under the workshop heading. Links are at the bottom of the blog post. Be sure to sign up for my newsletter to hear of special offers and be the first to hear my news.
Thanks Janette
Yana says:
Hi! I don’t know if you’ll see this, it’s rather a while after you posted this… but I was hoping to find out if the knitting belt can be used if your right hand is the strongest hand. That’s my issue.
I had a stroke as a child, and I’ve always wanted to knit, but I found it difficult, because my left hand (the paralysed one) “ forgets” the movements and I accidentally let go of the needle. So far in my research on knitting belts, I’ve only seen people using their left hand as the “active” knitting hand, no matter if they have one or two hands that work properly.
Hope you can help!
Sincerely, Yana