Blind Knitting

[ysabetwordsmith]

A conversation got me looking for resources on knitting while blind, so I thought other folks would enjoy these.


Resources for blind knitting:

Kudos to Lionheart, a yarn company that offers patterns in large print and Braille, and they also carry a how-to book on learning to knit while blind (written by a blind knitter).

http://www.lionbrand.com/blog/knitting-by-touch-the-touch-of-yarn-by-davey-hulse/

https://fingeringyarn.com/2019/05/08/getting-started-knitting-resources-for-blind-and-low-vision-knitters/

https://www.horizons-blind.org/gadget-gallery/

https://www.penguinrandomhouseaudio.com/Knitting-Patterns-Audiobook-Listeners

https://www.cs.cmu.edu/~rowan/marjorie-crafts.html

https://www.loc.gov/nls/braille-audio-reading-materials/lists-nls-produced-books-topic-genre/listings-on-narrow-topics-minibibliographies/needlework/

http://www.brailleauthority.org/crafts-hobbies/Guidelines%20for%20Transcribing%20Knit%20and%20Crochet%20Patterns.pdf


Tips for knitters who have recently gone blind:

https://www.visionaware.org/info/everyday-living/recreation-and-leisure/arts-and-crafts/sewing-and-embroidery/knit-your-life-back-together/12345

https://www.visionaware.org/info/everyday-living/recreation-and-leisure/arts-and-crafts/sewing-and-embroidery/knitting-and-crochet/12345

http://blog.cnib.ca/Lists/Posts/Post.aspx?ID=770

Sadly I could not find "learn how to knit" instructions for blind people online, but at least those exist in various formats.

Comments

Knitting by touch

[dialecticdreamer]

I want to do this for other reasons. I have neuropathy in my hands, and want to retrain my sense of touch as much as possible.

Re: Knitting by touch

[ysabetwordsmith]

For that, I recommend working with different thicknesses, fibers, and textures of yarn; different thicknesses and material of tools; and different stitches that create a variety of textures in the finished products.

Re: Knitting by touch

[dialecticdreamer]

I need to finish a project I'm rapidly LOSING enthusiasm for, just to get it off my plate. After that, I'm finishing my first shawl, and working the rest of the blue batwing.

Re: Knitting by touch

[ysabetwordsmith]

I wish you luck with it.

Maybe consider a modular project? That would have the advantage of giving you a "finished" feeling after completing each module. You could also choose to make it smaller or larger depending on enthusiasm. It would give you a change to explore different yarn textures and stitches, too.