August 15th is National Relaxation Day!
Be with those who bring out the best in you, not the stress in you.

Here’s a little ball,
To take away your stress.
To exercise your hands,
Just grab ahold and press.

It can be used in other ways:
To release your pain or anger.
Just throw it at the culprit
That raises up your dander.

~Limerick by Pam Perkins~

We should all take care of our hands.
It doesn’t matter, if we crochet, knit, play the piano or guitar, type on the computer, whatever…
Our hands can hurt at times.
Arthritis can be very painful, too.
I stretch and compress my hands to exercise the joints and increase flexibility.
One thing that helps is an exercise ball: It massages and strengthens.

This little ball (filled with stuffing) provides just about the right amount of resistance.
I squeeze it whenever my hands start to hurt.
It fits nicely into my palm, and the tips of my finger can curl around the edges.
And, it is pleasurable to hold…… or throw.

It is a relatively easy pattern. One can be completed in a couple hours.
It could be made in one color (solid or variegated).
Or, it can have a center section with a lighter color.
It can have an embroidered name or word, or maybe, a short slogan or a design.
Contrasting lines, to define the center, are also quite nice.
Moreover, the colors could be changed with any or all rounds, to use up scrap threads.
This pattern is an updated version of my Personalized Stress Ball.
It is elongated for extra comfort and fit.

So, go ahead and have a ball.
Enjoy!
Pam
http://grandmaperkinscrochet.blogspot.com/