Yesterday I had an enquiry about the wonderful embroidery hoops with stands that I sell:
I wanted to ask whether the 8 inch is the one you find best to use. I looked up White threads again, and saw that you said you can order in other sizes. I have inflammatory arthritis in a number of my finger joints (and problems with other vertebrae) and presently use a 4 inch hoop (no stand). I must say I like the idea of the wider hoop, I thought you said once you also have back problems, so hopefully the hoop makes life easier. Have you used the hoop plus stand successfully when sitting on a low lounge chair as well as on a firm upright chair? I know you said the height was adjustable, so hopefully this allows both. Are these made in Australia?
My answer:
I use hoops that are either 7inch or 8inch (I have both). I have an 11inch (I think!) that I use occasionally. I too prefer smaller rather than larger hoops. Having a stand will mean you don’t have to reach around the side of your hoop to hold it (as you are probably currently doing with your 4 inch hoop). This will probably help your arthritis immensely – having the stand to hold your hoop instead of your hands. Even without arthritis, I find that holding a hoop really stiffens up my hand and makes it sore.
With both hands free, you can keep them both moving more, and also access the entire hoop much more easily. So it doesn’t need to be quite so small as you’re obviously used to.
Yes, I use the stand successfully on our lounge, my office chair, dining room chairs, train seats, swimming pool spectator benches… you name it! It works on them all, and yes, as you say you can move the height up and down.
They are not made in Australia. I think they are German. They are lovely smooth wood – very good quality.
I hope that might answer some of *your* questions too, about these lovely embroidery hoops with stands. I use mine as often as I can, as it is such a pleasure to use. I will have these hoops and stands with me at the Sydney Craft and Quilt Fair at Darling Harbour from June 22-26, so you can see them for yourself, and even see me using one. If I happen to run out of stock because they’re so popular, I’ll happily take an order for you and post it to you after the show.
If you ever have any questions about the products we sell here at Vetty Creations, please contact me with your questions. I’ll be only too happy to answer!
White Threads is the blog of Yvette Stanton, the author, designer, publisher behind Vetty Creations' quality needlework books and embroidery products.
For the lady with inflammatory arthritis (and anyone else with a similar condition) ……
I have severely inflammed tendons in my fingers, and I was taught to do this : rub in lots of anti-inflammatory gel into your hands, hard.
Then cover them with thin plastic gloves for up to an hour. (not longer- that’ll be quite enough absorbing for your hands to do)
This process is called ‘occlusion’.
Using the gloves makes the gel work more strongly, (and also protects it while it soaks in). I find that this helps me a great deal.
Since it’s winter here in Oz, I also wear fingerless gloves almost all of the time. Keeping my hands as warm as possible at all times helps too. I got a special pair made by an Etsy artisan – cut really low, to reach only the base of my fingers (so I don’t embroider them to my work) and lots of extra length in the wrist – almost to my elbows.
Thanks Megan!
I have these hoops with this lap-stand – when I bought the set, you could also get a 6 inch hoop which is the one I use the most.
I have the beginnings of arthritis and also make use of the fingerless gloves though mine are the blue Hand-Aid Therapeutic Ergonomic Support Gloves they sell in the needlework stores.
Yes, you can still get the 6 inch hoops. All these great tips for stitching with arthritis – thanks!
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