Crafting with LE

Sher, have you tried thread crochet without your garments? Once we have the skills to recognize early swelling and know what to do about it, we really are free to experiment with some things. If you're talking about sitting down in the evening to relax and crochet, why not try removing your garments and doing it for about 15 minutes? See what happens, and if it gives you no problem try extending the time by 5 minutes at a time and see what you can get away with. Of course start on a day when your LE is in good control.

The trouble for me is that once I start on something I can't stand to put it down just because of my stupid arm. And like you, it was hard for me to get the yarn to move smoothly over my gloves, especially the seams. Very frustrating. Anyway I think part of the pleasure for me is feeling the fibers across my skin. I can only crochet for about 15 minutes at a time now, and that's more frustrating to me than not crocheting at all, so I've had to give it up. But we're all different, and if you don't try you won't know.

I've taken up loom knitting. Not anywhere near as satisfying as my crochet projects, but it's highly portable and I can do it even with my garments on. My kids and I make hats for the cancer center, and from time to time I get enough 7" x 9" rectangles made to send off a box to the "hug-aghan" project on the "Moving Beyond Cancer: Time to Circle the Wagons" board. (See the "Community Afghan" thread there if you're not familiar with it--you send them squares and a couple of gals crochet them all together into an afghan for our bc.org Sisters who need some extra hugs.). Both projects do well with soft yarns, which have a nice feel as you work with them, they're small enough to haul around with me even in summer, and they work up quickly. I had to modify the hook tool so it's big enough and soft enough for my hand, but with that adjustment I don't have any trouble using it. There's a great Yahoo loom knitting discussion board if you have questions, "KniftyKnitterLooms," and it had a sister site called "LoomClass" with free guided instruction in specific projects. It can get quite involved and it's possible to make all kinds of stitches and projects on the looms, so it's not as limiting as it first appears. 

I've also had to make some adaptations for sewing, as cutting with a scissors makes my hand swell almost immediately. So I use a cutting wheel for cutting out all but the smallest details of patterns, and that's gotten to be second nature by now. (At first it was a cause for tears and pity parties that alternated with something close to rage -- adapting can be quite a dynamic process!)

As for some of the other more dangerous crafts, like stained glass for instance, if that's what you loved it too would be worth trying and adapting. There are Kevlar gloves and sleeves you can buy pretty inexpensively that might help in some cases. Anything you can do to adapt and get on with life is a victory, and that's no small thing!

Do let us know what you discover.

Hugs, Sher!
Binney

Edited to add, we were posting at the same time, Celtic-Spirit -- brava to you for finding the ways to carry on!

I too am a crochet person. My le is in my left non-dominant hand but I have some wrist problems with my right wrist (from my upholstery sewing days topstitching leather) that crocheting with yarn makes my wrist hurt. But I have found that crocheting with the thread and small steel crochet hooks (snowflakes/fillet crochet) doesn't hurt my wrist. I don't know if using the small hook with the fine thread would affect your LE. I do manage to crochet with my gauntlet on, I don't know if the full glove would be a problem holding the thread. Also, if you have trouble holding the fine hook, you can use rubberbands wrapped on the handle to increase the size of the handle or there are comfort cushions available (both aluminum and steel hooks) that slip on the handle.

Sheila

Well I stayed up late last night to complete my first attempt at a baby rag quilt.  In spite of a few beginner errors this is a very forgiving technique since the ragged seam edges hide many imperfections.  My assessment is still that this is a very good craft to try if you have concerns about LE however after spending a fair amount of time last night "snipping"  all the seams to create that "ragged look" I would recommend caution using scissors for a prolonged period of time.

My next quilt I will plan to assemble one row at a time and snip each row before attaching the second row in order to space out the amount of time I am clipping through seams.  If you do not use a batting or 3rd layer of fabric in the middle of the block "sandwich" it will be easier to snip also.  The only real difficulty I had was cutting through the seam intersections where there were 12 layers of fabric.  It takes a very sharp pair of scissors and some wrist and hand strength to cut through the thick portions.

It was still a very fun and simple project.  I have plans to start another one soon! 

Thanks Sher!  I used white flannel for the middle batting layer and both outside layers were cotton flannel also.  I do have a pair of large spring action scissors but they would not cut through the seams at all. I think the blades were not that sharp.  My regular sewing scissors are very sharp and cut through all the layers with extra force needed only at the thickest parts of the seams.  I really haven't noticed the spring action ones making that much of a difference in general cutting though.

LindaLou, that quilt is soooo cute.  I have tried all my life to be crafty.  I am the only one in my large family who isn't.  For years I was dragging around all my unfinished projects and equipment and finally, right before I was diagnosed with bc, I at last accepted that I just wasn't the crafty sort,  took everything to a nearby nursing home and donated them.  They were so thrilled to have all this stuff and I felt relieved to not have that pressure anymore.  So now I just buy the finished products!  No, Suzybelle, I don't say I did it (LOL).

Linda, Some of the ladies in my quilt guild have made some of these quilts and they cut the 'batting' - what goes in the middle - 1 inch smaller than the blocks so you are only cutting through the front and back fabrics. Also they notch out the corners with a 1/2 inch square so the corners don't have so many thicknesses to cut through.

Sheila

That does sound like a good idea, using contrasting flannel in the middle cut the same size as an accent color, and notching out the corners only. Just make sure the first time you wash and dry it, clean out the lint filter in the dryer frequently while drying, all the cut edges does cause a lot of lint to build up in the dryer.

Sheila

LindaLou, the hat is adorable. You'll have to post pictures of that angel wearing it!

I love the idea of carrying on this craft thread with our projects, and with any tips for making it easier on our hands/arms. The title of this thread is perfect (thank you, Sher!) Let's go for it!

Who knows, if I make something I'm proud of I might even learn to post pictures!
Then again.... Computers!

Sher, how's the loom knitting coming?

Onward!
Binney

That is one gorgeous baby.  You have to post a photo of her wearing her cap!!!!

Sher, hello!

I have a set of round Knifty Knitters that came as a set, and I'm not familiar with the purple round loom. Mine are blue (baby size), red (small child), green (older kid or adult), yellow (large adult). I can use two strands of worsted-weight yarn on any of them and they come out fine. Or I use a larger yarn (Lion Brand Homespun) and a thin novelty yarn together for a fun color and texture combination.

Like you, I started out too tight and have learned to wrap VERY loosely, which is better for my hands and the finished texture, both.

I've made some fun prostheses on the red round loom, using a weaving technique for the flat back surface. I learned it in a loom-knitting pattern book that I love called "Learn New Stitches on Circle Looms" by Anne Bipes. (I ordered the book on-line). It has great hats, scarves, shawls, and afghans, all made on the circle looms. The weaving idea is the top of a hat pattern in the book, but I adapted the method for the smaller loom and it works great. That book really opened my eyes to the possibilities of loom knitting, but I have yet to take full advantage of it. Mostly we just make chemo hats and afghan squares, which are quick and satisfying, and easy enough you can do it without having to concentrate on counting stitches.

There are a number of knitting loom manufacturers, and they all have slightly different qualities. Some looms have very close, smaller pegs and knit much finer fabrics, but I haven't tried them because just now I like finishing projects fairly quickly. With the smaller gauge looms you can even make socks fairly easily. I'd say just experiment with the looms you have and various yarn combinations. If you're using two strands, they don't have to be the same kind or color of yarn, so the possibilities are endless without being complicated. And if you want to go for something more challenging, there are all manner of patterns and instructions on-line that will have you knitting intricate intarsia sweaters.

If you haven't signed up for the Yahoo "KniftyKnitterLooms" discussion board, do! Very delightful bunch of ladies (and men) at all levels of skill and experience, including many loom knitting pattern designers. The sister "LoomClass" site has hundreds of patterns from easy to daunting. Great fun!

Don't know if any of that helps -- hope so! Onward!
Binney

Ok...it is time to revive this old thread!  Would like to know if any other of my LE sisters have been getting back to their crafting and sewing hobbies?  Since I last posted after finishing a rag quilt for my cousin's baby, I have transitioned into actual quilting for the first time!  Went on my first Quilt Shop Hop in the Midwest last fall and then attended a Quilting convention/exhibit in Kansas City and now I am hooked!  Am planning to visit the BIG Quilt show in Paducah Ky in April.

I have been starting out slow making simple hot pads, mug runners etc....but just completed a quilt project for my friend's 7 year old daughter.  It is a simple bed runner that lies across the foot of her bed and has block pockets on both ends to store her story books and treasures in. 

It was my first major quilt project, first attempt at binding and machine quilting....and I LOVED it!  Made lots of mistakes but am learning rapidly and eager to move on to the next project.  Have become a "Fabriholic"  and am building up a fabric stash I probably could not use in 2 lifetimes!

Anyway, as LE ladies who have concerns for protecting our skin while around sharp needles, pins and scissors I have just ordered a product I have high hopes for being very useful in that regard.  Trust me I was constantly washing, disinfecting and applying antibacterial ointment to the many pin pricks I got in my fingers as I worked on my quilt project and felt there HAS to be a better way to protect fingers and still retain dexterity and ability to do hand work.  I came across a product called Finger Gloves which I ordered and will report back on after using them.  According to the many testimonials however, they seem to be a favorite among crafters and hobbyists. Since having the LE and peripheral neuropathy from the chemo my handsewing days are pretty much over so I am attempting to do everything I can by machine.  There is still no avoiding the "sharps" that are involved in the process though so if any one else has any tips, techniques or products that will help those of us who don't want to give up our craft hobbies, please post here!  Love seeing pics of everyone's work too.....so feel free to add yours!  

Linda Lou, it is beautiful. I am sure that she will love it. I have also tried machine quilting and it is quick gratification. I made a 'cheater' baby quilt this winter for a friend who was expecting a girl. I actually free motioned the quilt top. the ladies at my guild said that it was good for my first free motion attempt. My quilt guild is working on making 'charity' quilts for a local Children's advocacy program in the county. They are really comfort quilts to be given to the children as they are being 'processed' after the suspected abuse. I am machine quilting these quilts as well, just sewing diagonals across each block.

Sheila