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Minor knitting accident Not trying to start a blood-bath thread, but a little concerned
Liz in Cville   Advanced Beginner VA Member since 5/28/11 Posts: 272	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 1/8/12 8:21 PM It didn't bleed a whole lot, but somehow I stuck a size 3 knitting needle into my thumb... It was at an angle, so not too deep, but it looked a little scary at first. I don't know how I did that! I know the needles are sharp, and I know I push on them sometimes, but I don't think that's what I was doing at the time. I just don't know how I managed to jab it in that far. I guess it slipped. I did have the feeling the yarn was tight, and I was concentrating hard on following a pattern, because I'm a true beginner, and suddenly, there it was. Does this kind of thing happen often? Would it help to stay away from smaller yarns and needles for a while? Or am I doing something wrong to end up with such tight stitches on the needle? This was old yarn with no label, so maybe it's b/c it was the wrong needle size? I'm usually pretty confident and not easily scared -- I use a rotary cutter, even after a minor accident (luckily only nicked myself). But for some reason this is really freaking me out. Oh, and I feel kind of stupid. ------ Twitter: @SewKnitStash
lisalu Advanced Beginner GA USA Member since 10/5/08 Posts: 1786	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 1/8/12 8:37 PM OWWWW! While I can't say I've done exactly that, what I have done is stick a needle into my thigh thinking it was a "pincushion" (okay, I'll explain that. I sit on the couch in my sewing room watching TV while I do hand sewing. I use the couch cushion as a pin cushion and with my attention on what I was watching I jammed the needle into my thigh instead of the couch cushion. HARD!) I have also jammed a very fine crochet hook into the tip of my finger which is more similar to what you did. All I can say is that if you work with sharp implements on a regular basis, something like this is bound to happen sometimes. Sorry you were hurt! :( ------ Margaret (Singer 201-2), Betty (Singer 15-91), Bud (Singer 503), Kathy (Singer 221), Liz (Singer 221 Centennial Edition) http://runningstitches-mkb.blogspot.com/
tourist   Intermediate BC CANADA Member since 7/23/07 Posts: 5422	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 1/8/12 9:20 PM I sewed through my finger without noticing it the other day! It was at the dried, obviously no longer "live" bit of skin near the edge of the nail. I thought it was just snagged, but it was right through. A knitting needle must have really, really hurt! Keep an eye on it as puncture wounds can be difficult to heal. ------ http://bgballroom.wordpress.com to follow the progress on my next ballgown.
koo104 Advanced WA USA Member since 1/25/04 Posts: 417	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 1/8/12 10:56 PM To be on the safe side, make sure you are up to date on your Tetanis shot. I good thing for needle workers of all sorts. I have jabbed my finer with a ) needle and have sewn through on and the needle broke inside, just away from nerves or cartilage.
Aleah Beginner CA USA Member since 1/9/05 Posts: 184	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 1/8/12 11:23 PM Nope, can happen with the bigger needles, too...just ask my mom. She had to get a tetanus shot when she stuck a needle into her leg--fortunately she did it at the doctor's office!
Miss Fairchild   Advanced USA Member since 8/24/02 Posts: 6998	Login to reply to this post In reply to Liz in Cville Like this post Date: 1/9/12 0:42 AM One time I ran a piece of dried iceplant (aka hottentot fig, carpobrotus edulis) into my bare foot. Now anyone who is familiar with this plant would be asking, "What??" because this plant is so fibrous, that it should have broken in two or bent without ever entering my foot. But I can assure you, it happened. As to your predicament, don't let this sway you from something you are learning! And to stay away from small needles and and yarns for a while doesn't give you the experience you need. It sounds to me like your tension is too tight and you are straining to place your needles. Lighten up on holding your yarn and move on. You can also wrap your thumbs and forefingers in masking tape or cloth tape, if it makes you feel better. ------ "We don't impose our rhythm on Nature. The key is to respect and live within Her." Jean-Charles Boisset, Winemaker "And no, now that you asked, I didn't enjoy that play one bit, and I'd like a refund" Signed, Mrs. Lincoln My Etsy shop: auntmaymesattic My blog: auntmaymesattic.wordpress.com Avatar: First place award for jacket at county fair
threaddy   Advanced WY USA Member since 4/22/09 Posts: 2309	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 1/9/12 11:23 AM I sat on a knitting needle once...went all the way into my tush(sp?) ------ "The problem is not that there are problems. The problem is expecting otherwise and thinking that having problems is a problem." Theodore Rubin "Life isn't about finding yourself. Life's about creating yourself." George Bernard Shaw Bernina vintage and embroidery serger 234 and BLcoverstitch
Liz in Cville   Advanced Beginner VA Member since 5/28/11 Posts: 272	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 1/9/12 3:19 PM Thank you all for the sympathy and advice. Lisalu, please stop using your thigh as a pincushion. Ouch! Worrywart that I am, I hadn't even considered tetanus. Hum. I've decided to blame the yarn, and move on. It is a VERY old cheap yarn, very hard to work with... It's going in the trash. It was just for practice anyway. ------ Twitter: @SewKnitStash
Marie367   Intermediate OH USA Member since 5/28/11 Posts: 1362	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 1/9/12 6:51 PM Gee Liz I have knit for 30 years and have never done that. I stick myself with sewing needles all the time and when I was a teenager I sewed my thumb (on the sm)-very painful. Threes are pretty small so I can see how it is possible. Are you using metal or wood? Try bamboo; I think they have a smoother point. You could also use a thimble to help push the needles. They come in rubber or metal. I don't know what you are knitting but it sounds like you were knitting too tight-loosen up your tension a little.
Sauvage   Advanced Beginner MA USA Member since 7/22/09 Posts: 545	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 1/9/12 10:55 PM I don't think I ever knit fast enough to jab myself with a needle. I've had some close and painful encounters with felting needles, though, which are very thin and sharp (and barbed....) ------ Jeanne "Let me live in a world of image and I will never complain." --Louise Bourgeois

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