Do you do much charity knitting or crocheting? Off and on I make time for it. There are so many lovely projects you can join to bring joy and help to people in difficult life situations.
My mother had dementia for the last number of years of her life. I wish I had heard of twiddle muffs before she passed. She used to fidget with her sheets with her hands a lot. Twiddle muffs have been created for this situation – to give people something to do with their hands.
Recently I have made a few twiddle muffs that have been sent to local senior homes. What I love most about making twiddle muffs is the freedom to use your imagination! You need to make them so that nothing comes off, even with a lot of pulling. But apart from that, you are free to be creative. So here I’m giving some pointers that you can use to start creating. They can be knitted or crocheted equally. Here I have knitted the base and added many crocheted items.
General about twiddle muffs
- Size: about 15 x 30 cm (6 x 12 in) when folded (length 30 cm/ 12 in)
- Any items need to be very well attached. Nurses who work with people with dementia would tell you how easily they can pull off anything not properly attached. I use grizzly sewing thread double, knot it and pass the needle through the knotted part before starting to sew.
Ideas for twiddle muffs
- Bright colours
- Various things to twiddle with both inside and outside the muff
- Different types of yarn to achieve different textures: Rough, soft, shiny etc.
- Use different kinds of knitted and crocheted stitches. Knit, purl, rib, popcorns, moss stitch, knitting and crochet mixed.
- Buttons (very well sewn on!)
- Crochet flowers, butterflies, hearts
- Crochet twirls
- Lace
- Zippers
- Pompons
- Beads singly or as a string
- Design made with pearls
- Braids, string. You can dip the ends in glue or nail varnish to attach
- Felted items sewn on
- Soft texture by sewing on wool loops
- Small pocket
- Buckle
- Mini size soft toy
- Plastic rings, plastic rings covered in crochet
Reverse side:
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These are a fantastic idea, love them. 😊😊
Yes, they can be so much help to elderly people.
Hi
Do twiddle muffs need adorning decorations all over or just the front of the twiddle muff. Many thanks
please could you email me twiddle muff knitting pattern
Unfortunately I don’t have a pattern written down. I make each one different, just measure that the size is right. You find the size in the post. Hope it gives you pointers for making these!
I already crochet blankets for A local hospital, but would like to do some Twiddle Muffs for a change. Any ideas for me would be welcome.
Hi
I loved your videos of snow flakles. Is there way to print the pattern so I do not need to turn the video on where it is not available?
Plz could you email me the fiddle muff knitting and crochet pattern many thanks
Sorry I don’t have the pattern for this. The post is just to give ideas for people making the muffs.
Buenos días, muy linda iniciativa y funcional. Consulta por dentro lleva algún forro el tejido o no es necesario?
Gracias por compartir
I don’t have a lining. There are things to play with both on the inside and outside of the muff. The muff is in thick wool, that’s why it doesn’t need a lining.