How to make Twiddle Muffs for People Living with Dementia
Twiddle muffs (sometimes called twiddle mitts) are soft, knitted hand warmers designed to provide comfort, warmth, and sensory stimulation for people living with dementia.
They are often used in care homes, hospitals, and home care settings to help keep hands occupied and may help reduce feelings of restlessness, anxiety, or agitation. The different textures and attached items encourage gentle hand activity and sensory exploration.
Made from yarn and simple decorative items, twiddle muffs are an inexpensive project that can be customised with a variety of colours, textures, and tactile features.
They can also be a rewarding group project for volunteers, knitting clubs, schools, and community organisations.
Materials
- Acrylic yarn in a variety of textures: plain, chunky, mohair, ribbon yarn, or leftover scraps
- Knitting needles: 8 mm circular needles or 6.5 mm straight needles
- Decorative items: ribbons, beads, flowers, buttons, zippers, pompoms, or small pockets
Instructions
Muff Cuff
- Cast on 45 stitches using either:
- 2 strands of double knitting yarn, or
- 1 strand of chunky yarn.
- Knit in stocking stitch (knit one row, purl one row) until the piece measures 28 cm (11 inches).
Muff Body
- Continue in stocking stitch for a further 58 cm (23 inches).
- Alternate between different yarns and textures, such as chenille, chunky, or ribbon yarn, to provide a variety of sensory experiences.
- Cast off.
Finishing and Decorating
- Sew the long edges together with the purl side facing outward.
- Turn the muff inside out.
- Tuck the cuff inside the body of the muff and neatly sew the two short ends together.
Decorating
- Add items such as ribbons, buttons, zippers, loops, or pompoms.
- Include a small pocket for a tissue or handkerchief if desired.
- Attach 3–4 items to the outside and 3–4 items to the inside to create a balance of textures.
- Ensure all items are sewn on securely and check them regularly for signs of wear or damage.
Safety Tips
Twiddle muffs should be inspected regularly to ensure they remain in good condition. Any loose decorations or damaged areas should be repaired promptly. Choosing washable materials can also make cleaning and ongoing maintenance easier.
When introduced thoughtfully and matched to a person's preferences, twiddle muffs can provide comfort, meaningful sensory engagement, and an enjoyable activity for the hands.
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
Hi Margaret thanks so much for your kind offer! I realise you asked a while ago but I would be delighted with any donations of these if you're still interested in doing so. I'm in Scotland. We have many residents where I work with dementia that could definitely use them.
Not sure if I can post my email address here so I'll request in advance that the staff here pass it on to you if they need to edit my post. It's [email protected]. Thanks again!
Can anyone in Scotland help Margaret please
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?
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 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???
Hi Marina
I am not sure it matters
Anyway you make them is fine
Perhaps someone else can help you as well
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
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
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?
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
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.
Can anybody help Rita out??
Do they have to be lined??
Thanks
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
Hi Geetaa, how nice of you to make the twidle muff. Chose a care charity of your choice and post it to them or better, visit the facility and give your generous work to a resident that does not have family or receive many visitors. I send love your way for your kind gesture.
Wow Geetaa
That is wonderful of you I hope someone will take you up on the offer
Where are you from??
Thank you
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.
Hi Janet
The size is not that important
No matter what you do make sure you attach items very well
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.
Sheri Lynn
I think this would work as long as you attach the items on the legwarmers or gloves very securely
If you can send us a picture of what you have created because it might give others ideas
Thank you in advance
The body is an ADDITIONAL 23 inches?? or the piece in its entirety is 23 inches?
Hi, Ellen, the piece is 23 inches long, then you fold it and stitch the longish sides together. Next stitch the cuffs on each side.
Does anyone have a crochet pattern for these. I don't knit, but can crochet.
Ros
Why not try this
https://www.goldencarers.com/comments/2093/
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
Hi Bess, how kind of you to spend your time helping others. Thank you for sharing.
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
Thank you for your input Adele
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.
Thanks for your feedback Sharon!
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 am also wondering if anyone is willing to donate twiddle mitts I work at memory care would really appreciate any
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 would love to get some
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.
Hi Simonne, regarding making tweedle muffs for men. Make them in plain colours and skip the decorations and accessories.
What boards are you making the men???
Hi Jacqueline, Happy New Year to you too. What you are doing is quite remarkable, how kind of you. All the best!
Had some fur material and made one from this, but placed items inside.
Good idea!!
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.
thanks so much for your feedback Julie!
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
What an amazing contribution Lynne! I hope we hear more stories like this one : )
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 !
Thanks for your feedback Jacqueline! Good luck - I'm sure you will find someone willing to help.