I think crocheting... but then crocheting was easier for me BERFORE arthritis!

I would say crocheting too. You could ask this question over on the Knitting & Crocheting Forum also.

I've had RA for years, and my right hand, especially, is very bad now.
But, I can crochet...and it's really very good for keeping the fingers flexible, and not getting stiff.
Knitting is easier...but it doesn't have the "finger exercise" that crochet does.

I have to agree. Only because I don't know how to knit. I don't know about easier but I would think that crochet would be better for the hands and wrists because of more diverse movement. (just from watching someone knit, I could be wrong.) Exercise is one of the best things you can do for arthritis and this is good exercise for the hands.

Vickey, I have a gel ball in my car. I use it when stopped at red lights, to squeeze, to exercise my fingers. Works better than knitting. :)

Works the fingers more.

I knit. I know how to crochet, but I like knitting WAY better.

Moni, who's fingers really hurt today.

I do both, but I am self-taught and don't do things right.

For me there is less cramping and pain when I knit.

When I do lot of crocheting I get pain in my right elbow and my right hand cramps.

I find knitting much easier. My right hand gets very tired crocheting.

I've crocheted for over 45 years and knitted for perhaps 25. I find crocheting easier and I have arthritis in my wrist and fingers. Before I had carpul tunnel surgery my hands would go numb doing either crocheting or knitting.
But...for some reason I think knitting would be easier on stiff joints because you are not twisting your wrist back and forth as you work the needle. With knitting it can be done with less movements perhaps.
But it really is up to whatever the person finds easier and is more comfortable doing.

Deb

One: it will depend on where and how bad her arthritis is. I can knit much longer periods of time than I can crochet.

Two: it can depend on HOW she learns to knit. For me, knitting continental (working yarn held in left hand), is worse than knitting English/American (throwing the yarn with the right hand). For me, the continental motion working the right needle is much like I use a crochet hook, which aggravates my wrist and shoulder.

With the arthritis in my shoulder, crochet aggrivates it, rather than loosens it.

Teach her both over time, so she isn't overwhelmed, then let her decide which is easier for her.

Tami