Crochet instruction
Twiddle Muffs - for restless hands
Occupation and activation of the senses for dementia and Alzheimer's patients
The term "twiddle" comes from English and in this context means "to pluck around, to nestle". One also reads "fiddle" in connection with these therapeutic parts, which has the same meaning here.
Table of contents
What you need:
- Yarn scraps in different finishes and different colors: Wool, fringe wool, cotton, nap wool, mohair, ribbon yarn, etc. - just as you like.
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addiExpress or addi knitting or crochet needle
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"Sensor parts" see next paragraph
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Wool needle
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Scissors
Size:
The finished Twiddle Muff is
approx. 28-30 cm long and 16-18 cm wide
The restless hands that cause patients to pick at their clothing and/or skin are thus given alternatives.
Twiddle parts are used to keep restless fingers busy, train muscles and activate the senses. Other names are: Hapti-Muff, Sensory-Muff, Nestel-Muff.
Whether with the addiExpress or handmade with addi needle play, addiCraSyTrio LONG or addi circular needle or addi crochet hook. Choose a needle size according to your yarn.
The restless hands that cause patients to pick at their clothing and/or skin are thus given alternatives.
Twiddle parts are used to keep restless fingers busy, train muscles and activate the senses. Other names are: Hapti-Muff, Sensory-Muff, Nestel-Muff.
Whether with the addiExpress or handmade with addi needle play, addiCraSyTrio LONG or addi circular needle or addi crochet hook. Choose a needle size according to your yarn.
How it works
The Twiddle Muff
The muff consists of a tube that can be either knitted or crocheted (or you can combine both) and then fitted with the sensory parts, called twiddles. Material " Yarn scraps in different designs and different colors: Wool, fringe wool, cotton, nub wool, mohair, ribbon yarn, etc. - just as you like.
Twiddle-Parts - you can use many things - see section "Attaching the sensor parts" below.
How it works
The Twiddle Muff
The muff consists of a tube that can be either knitted or crocheted (or you can combine both) and then fitted with the sensory parts, called twiddles. Material " Yarn scraps in different designs and different colors: Wool, fringe wool, cotton, nub wool, mohair, ribbon yarn, etc. - just as you like.
Twiddle-Parts - you can use many things - see section "Attaching the sensor parts" below.
Knitting
The addiExpress is ideal for this purpose, as the tube can thus be made in just under 10-15 minutes.
Alternatively, if special knitting patterns are to be worked, use an addi knitting needle of your choice in a suitable gauge. You can also combine both: make the inside of the tube with the addiExpress, then pick up the stitches with a needle play, circular needle or addiCraSyTrio LONG and continue knitting in different patterns.
Knitting
The addiExpress is ideal for this purpose, as the tube can thus be made in just under 10-15 minutes.
Alternatively, if special knitting patterns are to be worked, use an addi knitting needle of your choice in a suitable gauge. You can also combine both: make the inside of the tube with the addiExpress, then pick up the stitches with a needle play, circular needle or addiCraSyTrio LONG and continue knitting in different patterns.
Crocheting
In principle, proceed as with knitting in terms of measurements, patterns, yarns, etc. - crochet with the addi crochet hook either as a tube or also as a rectangle, which then becomes a tube by means of a seam. Here one achieves wonderful haptic experiences for the patients if, for example, 3-4 rows of crocodile patterns (also called scale patterns) are incorporated.
Crocheting
In principle, proceed as with knitting in terms of measurements, patterns, yarns, etc. - crochet with the addi crochet hook either as a tube or also as a rectangle, which then becomes a tube by means of a seam. Here one achieves wonderful haptic experiences for the patients if, for example, 3-4 rows of crocodile patterns (also called scale patterns) are incorporated.
Twiddles - attaching the sensor parts
Twiddles are applied both inside and outside.
All kinds of materials are suitable for this purpose:
- Buttons
-
small bag filled with a dishwashing sponge (for kneading)
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Wooden balls on a rubber band (toy store)
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Sew on fabric scraps or crocheted patches as little bags (for hiding small items)
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Fur scraps (usually available free of charge from the furrier)
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Fabric ribbons e.g. jersey or terry cloth (cut old pajamas or old soft towel into strips and sew strips in as fringe before joining sides).
-
artificial feathers
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Bells (from chocolate Easter bunny)
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Loops
-
Tulle bag with lavender, rosemary sprig, etc. (must be removed before washing, but good for the sense of smell).
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Flowers crochet and sew on
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Make pompom and attach to chain of air stitches
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Zipper
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Sew on border piece
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Sew on piece of fabric, which can then be folded and reconnected to the main part with a snap fastener
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1 laces Velcro fastener for opening and closing
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Keychain with small soft toy
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Sew on nuts and washers, discarded keys, key chains, curtain rolls, etc.
Twiddles - attaching the sensor parts
Twiddles are applied both inside and outside.
All kinds of materials are suitable for this purpose:
- Buttons
-
small bag filled with a dishwashing sponge (for kneading)
-
Wooden balls on a rubber band (toy store)
-
Sew on fabric scraps or crocheted patches as little bags (for hiding small items)
-
Fur scraps (usually available free of charge from the furrier)
-
Fabric ribbons e.g. jersey or terry cloth (cut old pajamas or old soft towel into strips and sew strips in as fringe before joining sides).
-
artificial feathers
-
Bells (from chocolate Easter bunny)
-
Loops
-
Tulle bag with lavender, rosemary sprig, etc. (must be removed before washing, but good for the sense of smell).
-
Flowers crochet and sew on
-
Make pompom and attach to chain of air stitches
-
Zipper
-
Sew on border piece
-
Sew on piece of fabric, which can then be folded and reconnected to the main part with a snap fastener
-
1 laces Velcro fastener for opening and closing
-
Keychain with small soft toy
-
Sew on nuts and washers, discarded keys, key chains, curtain rolls, etc.
Example instruction Twiddle Muff Sunny
Knitted with the addiExpress Kingsize from three colors
Knitted with the addiExpress Kingsize from three colors
Knitting is done in rounds and all 46 needles of the addiExpress Kingsize are used. Set the operating switch to circular knitting.
Color 1
- Knit 70 rounds, then change color. This is the part of the tube that will be inside when finished.
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To change the color, simply knot the two yarns together. Make sure that the knot is correct and tight (see addiExpress operating instructions).
Color 2
- Knit 35 rounds, then change color to color 3.
Color 3
- Knit 25 rounds, then change color to color 1.
Then continue knitting by hand according to the following pattern:
- After these last 25 rounds and the colour change to colour 1, pick up the stitches of the last round on an addi circular knitting needle no. 4.
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Knit a complete round of purl stitches, increasing 2 stitches - 1 in each half of the round (knit 2 out of one stitch).
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Then continue knitting by hand according to the following pattern:
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*4 sts purl, 4 sts right over 4 rounds, then offset the pattern block from * to *, i.e. knit the 4 purl stitches now right and the 4 right stitches now left, also over 4 rounds.
A kind of chessboard pattern is created.
- After these 8 rounds knit 10 more rounds plain right.
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Now the end of the hose (the actual start of the work) is pushed into the hose so that the work is only half as long as before.
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Both loose ends are then knitted together: to do this, knit one stitch of the inserted tube end together with a stitch that lies on the addi circular knitting needle no. 4 in a plain right hand.
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In the next round, cast off loosely.
Finish work
Finish the work and sew up any loose threads. Then, if necessary, crochet 3 rounds of scattered stitches at both ends with any colour using an addi crochet hook no. 5.
Decorate with twiddles inside and out.
There are hardly any limits to the imagination!
Design and photo: Giselle Chaumien-Wetterauer (Germany)
Design and photo: Giselle Chaumien-Wetterauer (Germany)
