Re: Crafts and Hobbies Z

[Guest guest]

,

I have an idea for those achy hands of yours - I know they sell those

fingerless gloves in craft stores for folks with arthritis and I have

used them before myself when I was on deadline (used to actually do

crochet model work a lifetime ago!). Also, I think thermacare now

makes a hand wrap that warms up and really really helps. Makes it a

little awkward until you get used to it (unlike the first ones I

mentioned) but it may help you combat the stiffness/soreness a little?

Also, and here's a 3rd option and its actually pretty good for all

over pain (except blood thinner users should use caution because it

is a topical with similar properties to aspirin) and that is the

essential oil wintergreen. You can find it in any good health food

store and it's not that pricey - under $10 and lasts a long time - a

little dab will do you!

Anything to help you keep your spirits up because I also enjoy

crocheting and think I would cry if I couldn't any more.....I have 2

baby blankets currently going, 1 bear, 1 adult sized afghan and some

comfortghan squares for another list I'm on; my mom and I are also

collaborating on some potholders for our Missionettes to sell to help

raise $ for the " Smile Train " which will give a child with a cleft

palate the surgery needed to repair it (for $250!).

My mom has a pattern for crochet angels, email me offlist and I'll

see if its okay for me to get it to you. You don't have to use

thread, she uses lustersheen (I think) and they are still very pretty!

(((Hugs)))

Darlene

P.S. Have you checked into wooden hooks? They retain the heat of

your body and your hands don't ache as bad. I think I got mine thru

Laci's, but I know others sell them. I use Rosewood with much delight!

>

> > I want to know where to get the patterns for these Christmas

> > Balls. I don't have any hobbies besides reading and that gets

old

> > sometimes and I think making Christmas balls would be fun. Any

> > help in how to get started would be GREAT! Thanks

>

> I crochet and knit. My latest project has been a pair of curtain

> panels for my back door. I actually have three full-light doors

in

> the back, but as long as it took me to do those two panels, I

think

> my courage fails me on doing four more.

>

> I uploaded some pics of some of my stuff.

>

> http://health.ph.groups.yahoo.com/group/Fibromyalgia_Support_Group/

> photos/browse/7147

>

> I wonder sometimes if my days of crochet are numbered. I

sometimes

> have very, very stiff hands and it hurts to crochet. But on good

> days I can. The problem right now is that on good days, I've been

> working in the yard, so then I'm too wiped out in the evening to

work

> on the crochet.

>

> Back in 2004, when I was still working, I was in a drugstore

buying

> some canes. I was in a whole lot of pain and very upset. I

walked

> by a display of craft kits, and picked one up called " Knitting for

> Klutzes " , or something like that. I used to knit and crochet

(though

> I never did thread crochet) back in the 70's. I taught myself to

> knit and crochet again, and have really enjoyed it. It's something

I

> can do when I'm watching TV, or waiting at the doc's office. With

> all of my surgeries between 2005 and 2007, I spent a *lot* of time

> waiting for various things, and it's a good thing to take along to

> do. I've even done it in the hospital. I take it to family

> gatherings; it's an ice-breaker, and takes my mind off the

political

> ranting that goes on. ;D As I'm on disability, I can't afford to

buy

> presents for people anymore, so this year I crocheted a whole lot

of

> snowflakes during the year, and sent them to people in Christmas

cards.

>

> Happy crafting!

>

> Z

>

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