Date: Sun, 23 Nov 1997 19:11:45 -0800 From: Linda Boudreau (patrick.boudreau@ns.sympatico.ca) Subject: [BOND] Knits for the arthritic or physcially challenged For those who knit for the arthritic or physcially challenged here are a few keys things to remember. Speaking from experience, as I am in a wheelchair, also use a scooter and armband crutches and a walker.....busy lady, forgot to tell you I was a centipede. If you knit a sweater with buttons sew the buttons on, forget about the buttonholes. Put the small velcro dots on either sew or stitch a triangle in the centre, also put one on the side where the button goes and stitch right through it. If you are knitting for a person who has to have assistance and needs a backbuttoned cardigan, sew the button and button band together so that the buttons do not open at all, allow a border as in the shawl collared sweater in the back and add velcro. If you understand what a steek it for underarms or knitting in the round you will understand this concept for putting extra width under the arms of a sweater, if the sweater is semi-fittend, knit an elongated diamond, and stitch it in the armhole opening, this allows for a crutch to go under the arm, and makes for better drape and movement. If knitting for aperson confined to a wheelchair make sure you keep the design work above the waist, as it will get lost in their lap, also a nice pocket, a square from the dreaded tension swatch sewn on the insdie will give them a security pocket for a key or loose change to call in an emergency. Make the sweater longer in the back than in the front so that it is warm. If knitting a wheelchair laprobe or as I call them cocoon, put a band on the bottom and attach either a large button with button tab or velcro to the bottom as well as a band to attach to the waist, so that you do not find the lapghan at the foot of the wheelchair, these are great for people who just want to sit and watch televison, we have a number of these quilted ones in our house, they start out as quillows and pillos and end up as lapghans. A nice little extra for a wheelchair user this time of year is to rib a double cuff, and then serge or ziz zag it to some soft see through vinyl that is long enough to go up about elbow length. For those of us who still push on our own, it saves our clothing as anything that touches the wheels ruins our beautful clothes and sweaters, so sweater guards are a necessity. Also don't forget leg warmers, they take the place of an afghan on a not so cold day, and make arm warmers the same way, decorative, they make a great conversation set as well, flop top mittens, with a suede or rubberized palm sewn in so that we don't slip while pushing the chair, a nice scarf, hat, arm and leg warmers, who could ask for more. Linda who likes to take the word dis out of ability.... Bonding friend, Linda Please feel free to ask any questions concerning assistive design in knitwear or clothing and I will do my best to innovate. " I cried because I had no shoes - until I met a man who had no feet." " Live life one day at a time but make it a masterpiece." patrick.boudreau@ns.sympatico.ca (Linda ) http://www.geocities.com/Paris/9197/sheep.htm http://www.keyway.net/crafts/lbpats.htm http://www.wlv.ak.uk/`1036
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Author : Steph Thornton.
Last modified on : 8th November 1999.