I've started this blog as a way to gain commentary and get more people involved with my senior thesis project: knitting for people who are only able to use one side of their body. One Armed Knitting.
The project started out of research for a friend's aunt who had lost use of one-side of her body from her stroke. Her request was that he try and help her find a way to knit again. After looking at the slim solutions available: a table/wheel chair clamp that holds the needle, traditional knitting belts, or knitting sheaths. It made me wonder that their must be something better out there, something for people with or without their arm.
My goal is to design something that is durable, clean, has maximum quality at a minimum cost(environmental and monetary), and allows for an ease of use. I want to design every aspect of the item: the packaging, how it is attached, how it is used; in a way that the person isn't dependent on anyone else to use the tool.
What I'm looking for are:
-Stories (tell me about yourself or the people you know who could use something like this; tell me what you've seen rigged up or what you've made to do this)
-Responses (try and give brutally honest feedback)
-Links
-Ideas
Please feel free to leave them as comments or email me at halfbisqued[AT]gmail[DOT]com
About Me
- Beck
- Philadelphia, PA, United States
- I'm currently a senior Industrial Design student in Philadelphia, and I believe that design should be for everyone but not in a one-size fits all way.
15 comments:
This is a wonderful idea. I've had 3 strokes with little noticable effects thankfully.
I live in constant fear I won't be as lucky with the "next one". I always have some tatting in my purse for an instant body check just in case.
I don't how I would accept not being able to knit so it is comforting to know someone is working to help solve this.
I hope you will be very successful.
Found you through Sheri at the Loopy Ewe. I don't know if it will help or not, but I've seen some, such as Stephanie Pearl-McPhee (aka the Yarn Harlot) knit in Irish Cottage style. In this technique, the left needle is kept as still as possible, while the right needle slides back and forth.
Video at:http://www.archive.org/details/irishcottageknitting
I think Stephanie also had more information on her website (yarnharlot.ca/blog)in the archives. If not, you may be able to google Irish Cottage knitting to see if that is something that may help.
Good luck. Sounds like a very interesting and worthwhile project.
Mamajama, glad to hear that your doing well and healthy. Hopefully you'll never have to use what I design - and I think I say that for anyone who's reading this and can use both of their hands. Thanks for you inspiring comment
Thanks joanie, I've heard of the Irish cottage style of knitting and have had much luck knitting with my left hand only (I throw with my left). I'm also finding the book Confessions of a Knitting Heretic to be a great reference for one handed knitting so far, if anyone's interested!
I know that some women are looking into loom knitting one handed. I'm not entirely sure about it (whether it can be done one handed), but it might be another idea to look into anyway.
I have considered getting a knitting loom "just in case". Thought I should practised a little before I might need one.
Great idea about the loom or knitting machines too, thesickchick. I'm trying to stick with hand knitting because it help keep dexterity in your hands and your mind sharp.
Personally, I often do some knitting just to check that the fingers and bain still function together.
mamajama -
i don't know if that would work for me, I often find myself doing things completely backwards only to finish them incorrectly because I'm so stubborn. Today I sewed 2 seams wrong side out on the right side within 5 minutes of each other.
Hi,
I just found your site. Great to have any info on one-handedness. I had a stroke 9 yrs ago. It paralysed my right side. I now walk quite well but have never regained much use of hand and arm. I would love to crochet again so any tips would be appreciated. I still sew but very modified projects, mostly small fabric art pieces. Thanks again.
gypsywoman
There is a wonderful article in the Fall 08 Issue of Loom Knitters Circle Magazine (online loom knitting magazine) about how Peg Conry rigged up a loom and table for her Aunt who had had a stroke and was able to use only one side of her body. It is very interesting. By clamping the loom to the table, they were able to work one handed.
Loom knitting can give results equal to almost all needle knitting with some conversion of the patters and the right looms such as DA Looms. It is not just those twisted knit stitch hats any more!
http://www.loomknitterscircle.com/articles/DesignofHeart.html
I had a stroke 6 years ago which left my left arm paralyzed. I do alot of knitting with the knifty knitter circle and rectangular looms, also knit with large needles holding one between my legs, but stitches are limited because this in not real sturdy. i am trying to earn to crochet one handed - no luck. i'd like to try the needle holder around the waist shown in the video. Keep working, and if you need a guinea pig, here i am!
I was wondering how far you got with your research project and if you did eventually build this thing. I work in the mental health field an have a friend who's in school for occupational therapy and we often discuss how to help my clients and her future clients.
re: the Irish Cottage Knitting Video posted by Joanie.
that video doesn't help. I can't move my fingers of my left hand at all, so while she isn't moving the needle she IS moving her left finger and thumb. the strokes took out my whole left side. I can walk with a cane and have minimal movement of the left arm but nothing with the left fingers. This is the problem with lots of strokes.
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