I designed and made this twiddle mitt last year as part of a university project.
Twiddle Mitts are often used to provide something to fiddle with to keep restless hands busy. These are beneficial for people living with dementia.
I thought I’d give publishing my own pattern a shot, seeing as it was written up anyway. It’s ideal for beginners, and as you advance and learn more stitches these can be added in as you wish to add texture. It’s also a great stash buster to use up the last bits and bobs.
Laura x
You will need:
- Size 7mm needles (can be straight or circular) or 6mm Crochet hook
- Yarn- leftover bits are ideal, different colours and textures work well. We suggest using 2 strands of DK thickness, or 1 strand of chunky
- Buttons, ribbons, beads- anything that can be played with but will not come off or break, and is not sharp
Knitting Pattern
Inside (Cuff):
- Cast on 40 stitches
- Knit in stocking stitch (knit a row, purl a row) until your work measures 11 inches
- One single colour works well, as this will be inside the mitt, however different textures of yarn are good, but just use whatever you have
Outside (Mitt body):
- This is where you can use all your different colours, 2 strands of DK yarn for a few rows each
- Continue working in stocking stitch until your work measures 23 inches in total.
- Cast off
To finish:
- Decorate the mitt, both inside and out, with buttons, beads, pom poms, ribbons (whatever you have to hand). Sew them on tightly so they cannot be easily pulled off
- Sew the long side together with the ‘wrong side’ facing you
- Double it over, pushing the cuff inside the mitt body and sew the short ends together neatly to form a tube (think of it as an elongated doughnut shape), with the ‘wrong side’ hidden
- Move the seam, so the ‘inside’ is inside and the ‘outside’ is outside
Crochet Pattern
Inside (Cuff)
- Chain 45 (using 2 strands of DK thickness yarn, or 1 of chunky)
- Slip Stitch into the first chain to make a ring
- 1 DC into each stitch- continue this until work measures 11 inches
- One single colour works well, as this will be inside the mitt, however different textures of yarn are good, but just use whatever you have
Outside (Mitt body)
- Continue 1 DC into each stitch until your work measures 23 inches in total
- This is where you can use all your different colours, 2 strands of DK yarn for a few rows each
- Last stitch- 1 DC into stitch and slip stitch into next stitch
- Cut yarn and pull through to tie off
To finish:
- Decorate the mitt, both inside and out, with buttons, beads, pom poms, ribbons (whatever you have to hand). Sew them on tightly so they cannot be easily pulled off
- Double it over, pushing the cuff inside the mitt body and sew the short ends together neatly to form a tube (think of it as an elongated doughnut shape), with the ‘wrong side’ hidden
- Move the seam, so the ‘inside’ is inside and the ‘outside’ is outside
Tips
- Measurements do not have to be exact, other size needles or hooks can be used (increase number of stitches for smaller needle, and decrease stitches for larger needles), as can different thickness yarns (consider using three strands of yarn if it is thinner than DK, or casting on more stitches)
- For less advanced knitters, garter stitch (knitting every row) works just as well
- For more advanced knitters, consider adding ribs, cables or anything that adds texture, to both the inside and outside (demonstrated in photographs above)
- For advanced crocheters use any stitch you fancy to complete the body (textured stitches are ideal)
- Consider using crochet bobbles to add texture
- You could make and sew on a pocket for a photograph or tissue to be kept in
- If these are to be given to patients as a gift, consider leaving a button hole for a name tag to be added to
- It is a good idea to use bright colour yarn on the outside section
- Use a variety of decorations and colours
- Try to include a total of 10 decorations, split between the inside and outside
- Sew everything on tightly so it cannot be pulled off
- Decorating before sewing up means knots can be hidden, however it works just as well sewing the decorations on after sewing up
Wellies and Wool 