How to make Twiddlemuffs

Margaret Steward their was a request for twiddle muffs. For Aberdeen dementia unit ARI

Rita McAteer
I don't line them, but I crochet them with double strands. What I like to do is sew fuzzy socks inside. Great place for a tissue, or for extra softness to twiddle with or warmth. This has seemed to be a hit.

Is there a place in Scotland or Aberdeen I can make these for

Thank you! I did reach out to the coordinator of this project and she knows she can wash them and reuse them.

Hi Dawn
I think this can be washed and used again

Hi,

I have been recruited to crochet twiddlemuffs and just found out that the person who requested we make these is looking at them as a "one and done" project. Sounds like after someone uses it, it will then get thrown away. I am shocked by this as this can be time consuming to make. Has anyone else heard that these get thrown away instead of washed?

Hi Marina
I am not sure it matters
Anyway you make them is fine
Perhaps someone else can help you as well

Hi there..im new making these...do u knit say 58cm of double knit chunky wool with 2 cuffs on either side as it does not state 2 cuffs..
Can u advise me on how it should be sewn together after cast off???

Thank you Karen for your brilliant ideas
You must be careful that the smaller items you put on the vest or twiddlemuff is something that a resident would not eat
Thanks again

Thought I'd throw in that one doesn't actually have to be a knitter, I am certainly not. I have decided to use a beautiful jumper of my dear departed Dad's. I am chopping off the "arms" to use for the outside (complete with armband), split open and line with velvet that Mum used to upholster a chair with, add bits and bobs to both sides, and sew up. I have even found a photo Christmas key-ring with of my daughter on Santa's knee that Mum used for many years so I'll add as that well (to the outside obviously). Buttons, ribbons, lace, and a part of an embroidered hanky she made. My mother is in a nursing home with Alzheimer's and someone told me about Twiddle Muffs - I'd never heard of them. Mum was an amazing seamstress (shame I didn't take after her haha), but as a bit of a sentimentalist I have kept bits of lace etc from gowns she made and I'll add them to the twiddle I will make. I'll write her name on her hanky in permanent marker so the nursing home doesn't "share it around". Done. Hope this helps. Good luck, I think this is a very important project. x

Hi Susan
Yes these are personalized
You need to know about the resident to put appropriate things on the muffs
There is a great variation in how long. This will keep a resident engaged
I have found that sometimes they will use it for a few minutes and stop in and pick it up again
Others have used it for a half an hour
I have no videos of residence using them and I wonder if anyone would be able to share one due to privacy issues
I think it’s all about trial and error
It also depends on what the resident find stimulating but not too stimulating
Good luck

Hi- maybe this is a dumb question, but are there any videos of HOW the residents/ patients actually use them/ respond to them? Are the residents wearing them as cuffs on both arms? I work full-time in memory care assisted living and think a few fidgety types would enjoy...but for how long, I wonder? I assume they are personalized/ washed with their laundry? Anyone with day to day experience?

I am 88 years old crocheting Tweedie Mitts- do they need to be lined. I have crocheted a single length x do I need to line it with linen.

I am making tweedle muffs and wondered if sew in ribbon bows or let the patient untie and tie them up

Thank you so much Solange and Susan :) for your suggestions. I am from Toronto, Canada, so i will probably try to find a location near my place where i can drop the twiddle muffs off. if you know of any center in Toronto, please let me know

Hi, I have just finished making my first twiddle muff :). Where can u drop it off or mail? Please advise

Have I got the pattern wrong. It says knit muff cuff for 11 inches then carry on with muff body for a FURTHER 23 inches. Should this be a further 23 inches or 23 inches total length? The body is very long, much longer than the cuff. Please advise. Thank you.

I'm not much of a knitter myself but would these work if I purchased some leg warmers or gloves and then added pieces of fabric, buttons and such to those? I think some of our residents would really like them.

Does anyone have a crochet pattern for these. I don't knit, but can crochet.

I've just started knitting the twiddle muffs find it so rewarding donating them and knowing it's helping and being appreciated. I also knit hats for our local baby unit, I do prem hats and comfort squares

My mum was given one of these in John Hunter Hospital as she was picking at her arm, the Nurse said it stopped her doing it and she fiddles with the items on it. According to the Nurse they are a new concept to the Hospital and they have enough for 1 for each patient and mum is going back to the Nursing Home with it. I have thought of making them and am suggesting them to anyone in Aged Care or those working with sensory problems or parents with these and anyone else in the medical and teach8ng profession

Love this idea! Actual like it better than fidget quilts...more compact..fits nicely in lap of someone in a wheelchair. Being a knitter I have lots of textured yarns which is ideal for this project.

Who would I contact to see If anyone would like to donate twiddle muffs or activity blankets for my memory care unit. I just started there and come to find out we have no budget. Anything or even ideas would be greatly appreciated. This site has been very helpful. Tomorrow we are making peanut butter bird seed feeders.

I have been knitting twiddle muffs and am wondering if you can give me a contact person in Sydney to whom I can give them. I have given about 50 away so far but these people do not need any more.
Thank you. Jeanette

I started making Twiddle Muffs 1 year ago and donated to several nursing homes in my city.Since then I have had many private requests and have now passed the 200 mark.I've quit counting. I've specialized in personalizing them to the person behind the disease which seem to go over very well. Besides the muffs I've sewn and knitted activity mats, and now am putting activity boards together for the men. All are donated free of charge and made from donated materials. I've never been happier knowing a little creativity can bring such joy to a person in need.
Happy New Year to all.

Had some fur material and made one from this, but placed items inside.

Does anyone know a site to learn how to "SEW" Twiddlemuffs instead of knitting them???

have made this for residents very successful thanks for the ideas. I put some twiddle things inside as well and used soft fluffy wool. worked great.

I have done over 175 twiddle muffs which have been sent out free of charge to care homes all around the UK. The joy, stimulation and texture is wonderful for the person in question. What is important that all the items are sewn on with wool so they don't come off and everything is secure. Items to use large buttons, charms, pompoms, ribbons, zips, pocket to put things in. Don' forget to put buttons or a small soft toy inside for added stimulation. HAPPY KNITTING EVERYONE. xx

I think these look fabulous as they're easy to make if you're a knitter and probably cheaper than the ones that are sold . Can't wait to get someone to help me knit !