This is the book I’ve been waiting for, let’s face it, we have ALL been waiting for it. If you’ve ever had sore hands, elbows, shoulders hips, back . . . you might now know it, but you’ve been waiting for it too!
As knitters and as humans we have so much to learn about using our most powerful tool, our bodies, a bit more wisely. Now it’s your chance to win your own copy of Carson Demer’s amazing book in the
Knitting Comfortably Giveaway
I am not going to lie, this book is big. When I first saw it I said to my husband “I hope I can hold that in an ergonomic way and still read it”. It is big for a reason, there’s a LOT to cover.
From how we sit to what we sit on (I was torn between two chairs one with arm rests and one without, I am no longer torn), how we hold our yarn, our needles, our head, it’s all here.
I teach a class called “Improve Your Knitting Technique” that has to do with stitch sizing, efficiency and building a stable fabric. Imagine my joy when I found out that some of the same things that make a stitch well sized also make it easier and less stressful on our bodies to make. Well form does follow function!
I thought it would be fun to hear from the author so I asked Carson a few burning questions. Below are a few excepts from that interview. Scroll down to the bottom of the page to enter the raffle.
Excerpt from Carson Interview
If you’d like to read the whole interview (and you DO!) – CLICK HERE
Q- What first gave you the idea to marry your two lives (Physical Therapy & Knitting) into this book?
CD –Long before the book, even before I was knitting seriously, about the year 2000, I got injured from using computer keyboards. . . I spent 2 years under the care of PTs and hand therapists rehabbing the injuries.
When the injuries were better I went back to being a manual therapist and started seeing a lot of patients in the clinic with the same injuries I’d just experienced who were also knitters . . . I decided to start teaching classes at my LYS . . .Shortly after I met and became friends with Cat Bordhi who had envisioned a book about self-care for knitters and when I told her that I’d been thinking of writing a book about ergonomics for knitters she invited me to a Visionary Authors writing retreat and became a champion of the project. Total kismet!
Q – What is (admit it) a bad ergonomic habit in your life that you still fight against.
CD – Just one? Just like any knitter I have plenty of ergo demons to fight. One is using my laptop more than I wish I need to. Laptops don’t allow simultaneous neutral postures in the upper quarter (neck, shoulders, elbows, and wrists) because of their size unless you add peripherals like keyboards, risers, etc. . . .Total disclosure – I also have to keep reminding myself to stand more when I’m at home with time to knit and Lily (my poodle) curled up on the couch. It’s hard to break away from the cuddles and the coziness.
Q: Do you have a guilty pleasure / reward when you take a break from work?
CD – Spinning. It’s a really special happy place for me. If I’m on the road and can’t spin (usually teaching at an event) then it’s straight to the marketplace to inhale some yarn fumes. Total comfort!
Q – What’s your knitting white whale? The knitting mountain you have yet to climb?
CD – You ask good (tough) questions, Patty Lyons! I suppose it would be to publish more design work. I’ve only got a couple patterns out there that were commissioned by yarn companies. But it might be fun to finally get a line of work out for others to knit. I think it’s an honor to see someone wearing something you’ve designed.
Q – If you had to choose one of the most common challenges for a short person (hmm, I wonder who Patty is talking about) who spends hours on the computer what would it be and what would be your most valuable advice.
CD – Do you really want me to read you on this? Okay, with (truly) no one in particular in mind, and with all the love and respect for the petite framed people out there, here’s what I think. Many, if not most of the time when I work with someone who is below the 95% for height (around 5-feet or smaller), they don’t want their work surface to reflect their height. I’m sure there are a million reasons why, but the bottom line is if your chair, desk, etc. don’t fit you should change them. You wouldn’t wear shoes that are too big, would you?
EDITORS NOTE: I AM A TOWERING 5′ 3″, but point taken. Read the whole answer here.
. . . So here’s a tip, if you can’t afford a chair and an adjustable desk, get a foot rest to raise the floor so that when you’re at the keyboard your shoulders can hang at your side, your elbows are at your waist, and your wrists are straight and not above your elbow. This will keep your wrists and forearms safer and more comfortable without spending extra money. And, while I’m sure you didn’t ask this question about anyone in particular, the knitting world needs Patty Lyons to remain injury free. So do what I say.
THANKS CARSON . . . okay now how do you get your hands on this book???
Giveaway will run now through 11:59 pm EST on Oct 11, 2017 and winner will be announced by Oct 12. The winner will be contacted for their mailing address. Note, do to the size of the book, it will be shipped book rate.
Enter to win by providing your email address in the first option in the Rafflecopter form so I can contact you if you win. For additional entries you can use the other options to share on social meidia. The more entries the better chance of winning!
Make sure to follow along on my social media & subscribe to my newsletter so you know when the winner is announced. Good luck!
MOBILE USERS – If you are having trouble accessing the raffle, try the mobile link HERE
