This pattern was designed for Whigmaleerie Crafts’ charity project, and is offered here free for anyone who wants to crochet twiddle muffs. It came about as I thought the hookers should get to join in too.
Twiddle muffs can be invaluable for dementia patients as the decorations (buttons, beads, zips and ribbons) give them something to do with their hands and can help calm restless impulses.
Instructions are given in British crochet terms.
This muff is crocheted in two layers, which gives extra warmth. Each layer is worked in the round and in a spiral, so please do not join rounds unless instructed to do so. The bobbles are optional; you can work rows of bobbles, individual bobbles, or none at all. In the outer layer I carried along strands of textured yarns - mohair, ribbon, chain and boucle - for some rows, but this is again optional. I have also added instructions for a buttoned tab so that any non-washable embellishments can be removed for washing.
Instructions are given for two different diameters of muff and length can be adjusted by working more of fewer rows.
Note: Please make sure that all materials used are machine-washable, all sewn-on embellishments are securely stitched in place, and all ends are securely woven in. Any ends that are to be left for twiddling should be non-fray.
Materials for basic muff;
Yarn:
aran
aran
Hook:
8mm (or size required for tension)
8mm (or size required for tension)
6mm (optional, for button tab)
Tension:
10 stitches and 9 rows to 4"
10 stitches and 9 rows to 4"
Finished dimensions:
S/M 10.5" long by 7" diameter, laid flat. M/L 10.5" long by 7.5" diameter, laid flat.
S/M 10.5" long by 7" diameter, laid flat. M/L 10.5" long by 7.5" diameter, laid flat.
Abbreviations:
ch - chain
ch - chain
dc - double crochet
htr - half treble crochet
mb - make bobble
Make bobble (mb):
[Yarn over hook, hook through stitch, yarn over and pull through 2 loops] 5 times in same stitch, yarn over and pull through all 6 loops on hook, 1 ch to secure (ch does not count as a stitch for next rnd.
[Yarn over hook, hook through stitch, yarn over and pull through 2 loops] 5 times in same stitch, yarn over and pull through all 6 loops on hook, 1 ch to secure (ch does not count as a stitch for next rnd.
Inner/ outer sleeve: (make 2)
With aran yarn and 8mm hook chain 36 (40). Taking care not to twist the chain slip stitch into furthest chain from hook to make a ring.
Rnd 1 (RS): Ch 1 (does not count as first stitch), 1 htr in same ch, 1 htr in each ch to end of rnd, place marker if using, 36 (40) sts.
Rnd 2: 1 htr in each st to end, move marker to denote new end of rnd, 36 (40) sts.
Rnds 3-21: Repeat rnd 2.
Rnd 22: 1 htr in each st until 1 st remains, 1 dc in next st, sl st in next st.
Fasten off and break yarn leaving a long tail (at least 2 metres) for finishing off.
Bobble round (optional - work as desired)
MB in next st, dc in next st to end of rnd.
*Important: following a bobble round remember that the chain that secures each bobble does not count as a stitch and should be skipped over on the next round.
Decorate inner and outer sleeve
Embellish each sleeve as desired with buttons, zips, beads and ribbons. If you want to add non-washable decorations such as a short string of beads you can make a button tab as follows;
Button tab
With 6mm hook ch 4.
Row 1: 1 dc in 2nd ch from hook, 1 dc in each of next 2 ch, turn, 3 sts.
Row 2-6: Ch 1 (does not count as first st), 1 dc in each st to end, turn.
Row 7: Ch 1 (does not count as first st), 1 dc in next st, ch 1, skip next st, 1 dc in last st, turn.
Row 8: Ch 1 (does not count as first st), 1 dc in next st, 1 dc in chain space, 1 dc in last st. Fasten off and weave in finishing tail.
Use starting tail to stitch tab in place on muff and sew a button on top.
