Elisabeth,
I agree with PPE about the dowels at Home Depot. One thing to make them more comfortable for you is to go to your local sporting goods store and purchase a tennis racquet grip kit. They come in leather or synthetic. The synthetics by Yonex come in
a variety of 'festive' colors. Whether leather or synthetic, both make it more comfortable for your hands and less likely to slip from your grip if you get a little over eager.
BTW, I do have missed your posts, glad to see this thread,
Coven