Up-Tempo Vest in Worsted Yarn, Wetlands, and a Small Request
Variation
Since I’m on vacation and have plenty of time to fiddle around, I thought I’d experiment with the Up-Tempo Vest pattern a little. I have a huge skein of worsted weight yarn in off-white so I’m using that. I had to go to an M hook to get the loose stitches that make the fabric drape so well. But what I really wanted to do was work the ribbed hem along with the main body of the vest as I went. In this yarn, the main part of each strip is 81 half-double crochet stitches long. I wanted to add 12 stitches for ribbing on each end. Instead of working the ribbing with the M hook, I switched to an L hook for the first 12 and the last 12 stitches of each row. I also switched to working the half-double crochet stitches into the back loop only of those 12 stitches at the beginning and end of each row. This adds a nice loose rib to each end of the strip making it unnecessary to add the post stitches after the vest has been sewn together. Big improvement! I’ll post this pattern ( I’ll call it the Palm Beach Vest ) when I’m finished so you can get a feel for how easy it is to vary the yarn and the styling.
Wakodahatchee Wetlands
The Palm Beach Area has many wildlife sanctuaries. We have visited most of them at one time or another. Our favorite, however, is the Wakodahatchee Wetlands in Delray Beach. This project, run by the Palm Beach Water Utilities Department, sets aside a large marsh area as a sanctuary for numerous species of birds. But you will see other creatures as well! We saw three alligators on our walk yesterday. Large turtles are visible beneath the water. A boardwalk over the marsh makes a 3/4 mile loop and you’ll be treated to views of nesting cranes and anhingas. Moorhens walk through the shallows looking for food. A fabulous red-winged blackbird was sitting on the boardwalk railing and let me get quite close for a photo! If you decide to go, get up early. Parking is limited and the birdwatchers are out in force!
A small request…
Some of you may know that I have a problem with Fibromyalgia. I’ve tried various remedies in the past but wanted to stick to natural and holistic treatments as much as possible. My medical organization, Wellspan, has a holistic component. They have recommended SAMe and 5-HTP. In researching these two products on-line, I’ve come across conflicting and confusing information. I should say that Dr. Andrew Weil is in favor of SAMe so I am going to try this one first. Do any of you have experience with either of these supplements? I’d be interested to hear anything that you might have to offer.
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Tags: 5-HTP, alligator, Fibromyalgia, free crochet, free crochet pattern, free crochet vest pattern, nature, red winged blackbird, SAMe
jd wolfe
April 14, 2012 at 10:55 pm
i tried SAM-E some years ago and found it upset my stomach. i was diagnosed with fibromyalgia about 26 years ago when i had never heard of it. for me, the key was getting restful sleep and regular exercise. i take some meds to help with sleep (i have a primary sleep disorder which sometimes accompanies fibro) and walk 2-3 miles daily. this has been the best thing for me. my niece (age 34) has it also with sleep problems. she recently has lost almost 60 lbs which does help with the joint pain. she is now into regular exercise – about a mile a day – which i could never get her to do before. hope you get some relief.
jd in st louis
Wolf Crochet
April 15, 2012 at 4:52 am
Thank you for taking the time to reply jd. I have the sleep problem too but want to stay away from sleep medications. Even slight exercise leaves me in terrible pain afterwards. The walking has been hard on my legs and feet. When you first started to exercise, did the pain go away after a while? I would try it if I thought that it might lessen over time. So far I have had no problem with SAMe (3 days). I really appreciate your comments.
Angie
May 9, 2012 at 10:46 am
You might try adding Krill Oil to your diet. Krill is better than regular fish oil. Krill oil has unique fatty acid (FA) profile,as well as a rich antioxidant content. It helps reduce inflamation symptoms and is great for heart and brain health too. You can find it in most drugstores and places like Walmart. You will see it advertised on shelf as “MegaRed” Omega-3.
Thank you for your beatiful designs
Wolf Crochet
May 9, 2012 at 12:12 pm
Oh! That’s interesting Angie. I’ll have to investigate this immediately. Thanks for the tip.
Phenixx Darling
April 15, 2012 at 7:02 am
I also have fibromyalsia in my shoulder and knees. Sometimes I am almost partially paralyzed from the stiffness. I started taking Mangosteen juices. There are many different kinds, I’ve tried a number of them. Some are mixed with other juices, some aren’t. Fibromyalsia is considered to be an auto immune disease. Crohn’s disease is also. These type of diseases are aggravated by high
degrees of what is called internal swelling.
Mangosteen and other tropical fruit juices control internal swelling. Many medical organizations are pushing the control of internal swelling to control these type of diseases. I get my Mangosteen from a local health/ vitamin shop. You can order these types of juices from on line also. Some of the other so called tropical juices that I have used to varying degrees of success are: pomegranate juice which is sold in many supermarkets like Walmart, and Kroger, ;Napolea-http://www.reduceyourinflammation.com/;
http://www.jigsawhealth.com/resources/inflammation
There are countless juices to drink that supposedly will control internal swelling as well as more traditional doctor prescribed medications. This is a relatively new approach to fighting disease and many doctors are still not on this particular bandwagon. Mine was not. So, I just went out, bought some Mangosteen and started taking it. I like the way the Mangosteen juice tastes and it works well for me. Pomegranate juice works well also. How do these juices work?
http://www.wisegeek.com/what-are-xanthones.htm. You’ll have to read up on them some. We don’t have that much room here-lol! Noni juice is another that I’ve used and has helped me. I drink about a shot glass full-,2 ozs- 2/3 times a day. I have very little stiffness and pain when I take these drinks. I feel like I have been cured and I no longer go for physical therapy for the stiffness. I am not promoting any company and I don’t work for any company that sells these juices. I am just sharing my experience with you. PS- I’ve had fibro for over 15 years. The physical therapy helped a little but I prefer the juices. It took about 2-3 weeks of juice drinking before I noticed that I was feeling better. I’m not “cured” but I am in only a minimal amount of pain; my stubbed toe hurts worse than my fibro.
I drink more than 2-3 oz twice daily now because I like the taste. A huge study of Mangosteen was done by the Mayo Clinic with very impressive results.- I can’t find the exact article right now but will look for it and get back to you in a few days. This article is good, though.
http://healthletter.mayoclinic.com/editorial/editorial.cfm/i/163/t/Buzzed%20on%20inflammation/
I have to get back to job hunting right now-lol! (Please forgive spelling errors
)
Now, do some research, and good luck!
Wolf Crochet
April 15, 2012 at 9:01 am
Oh, thank you so much! This is VERY interesting! I am going to look into it right away. I’m so happy to hear that your fibro is under control. You and I seem to have similar symptoms. I also have days when I can hardly move at all. Exercise just seems to make things worse. I know that inflammation is a major factor. Thank you for the links. It seems that very few doctors have a clue about this issue and just keep throwing medication at you!
Susan Kirby
May 26, 2012 at 7:06 pm
This might sound odd, but have you had a blood test to check for food allergies? I had an enormous amount of fibromyalsia pain [I'm 57], and when I changed doctors [to a holistic doc too] she did a simple blood test and found I’m allergic to corn, wheat, soy and peanuts. Now I see a nutritionist and eliminated these from my diet [not the easiest thing at first!] and 75% of the fibromyalsia pain is GONE! AND I’ve lost 40+ pounds since I no longer eat processed foods.
Wolf Crochet
May 27, 2012 at 10:11 am
Hi Susan, that’s certainly somthing that I hadn’t considered. I an working my way through a series of natural remedies. If none of those yeild any results I will try your suggestion. A holistic doctor is also something that I’ve been thinking about. Thank you for your interest and for sharing this information with me.
Laura Brothers
June 25, 2012 at 11:19 pm
The one thing that has helped me the most with my pain has been exercise and my hot tub!
When I started exercising, I found that an exercise bike helped me more than walking, was much easier on the joints. Since I do work full time, most of my workout was just before going to bed which I know sounds strange for sleeping. But for me, I would be tired from the exercise and then go get into the hot tub. I try to soak in it for at least 4 nights a week just before going to bed. That helps my muscles relax and I will sleep much sounder than just a shower before bed. Sound and restful sleep is a big help in relieving the pain.
Fibro is an auto-immune disease and those disgusting ailments tend to run in groups. Have you been checked to be sure that you don’t have any other issues to be dealing with?
Wolf Crochet
June 26, 2012 at 8:13 am
Thanks Laura! Exercise has always left me achy and drained. But I finally joined the Y and am taking a senior’s yoga class which still leaves me a bit sore but is better than nothing at all. I might try the bike when I get a bit more fit. No hot tub so I’ll try a warm bath instead. Other issues include low thyroid but I am lucky nothing else came up.
Laura Brothers
June 26, 2012 at 9:58 pm
I should probably try a yoga class also, can’t hurt to try. I really enjoy your blog site also. Thank you for all the beautiful patterns and tutorials!!
Lona Yackel Walker
November 4, 2012 at 10:16 pm
I have been using the 5-HPT for about a year now. I helps me sleep without feeling hungover. I have RSDS (since ’98) and now they say Fibro also. Niffy little combo! But, it is what it is! I love to crochet and concentrating on my work helps me keep my spirits up. Hope you are getting some relief. Thanks for sharing your patterns!
Wolf Crochet
November 5, 2012 at 5:50 am
Oh Lona, my heart goes out to you for having to suffer with this condition. I’ve stopped getting aany real relief from 5HTP but it works as an amazing appetite suppressant! I’ve lost 15 lbs and intend to try for another 15. As for the fibro, I am trying to manage it holistically and with meditation.