Club members, families and friends are knitting Twiddle Muffs and Comfort Teddies for the Ambulance Service using the following patterns
Twiddle Muff
- Materials
The muff pattern is perfect for using up left over and odd balls of wool.
Needles: 8mm circular or 6.5mm straight needles. - Directions
Cuff:
Cast on 45 stitches using 2 strands of double knitting wool or 1 strand of chunky wool (one plain colour works best).
Work in stocking stitch (knit a row, purl a row) for 11 inches.
Muff body:
Continue with stocking stitch, but use up oddments of various textures of wool such as chunky, mohair, ribbon etc., until the work measures 23 inches (two strands of double knit for two rows each gives a lovely assortment of colours). Cast off. When joining different types of wool, use a secure reef knot and cut off any excess strands.
- Finishing
If working with straight needles, lightly iron the long strip, then neatly join the sides together using edge to edge stitch (with the knit side facing out). Turn inside out and push the one colour cuff up inside the muff body. Sew the two ends together, again using a neat edge to edge stitch.
- Decoration
Decorate the muff, inside and out, with short ribbons, beads, loops, pompoms, buttons etc. Be creative, but make sure each item is securely attached. (Please see the safety information overleaf.)
Safety Guidelines
Twiddle Muffs are knitted items designed for people living with advanced stages of dementia, and offer comfort and distraction or can help occupying time and attention.
Colourful, eye catching patterns and designs are great and a variety of things can be attached, like ribbons, beads, loops, pompoms, tassels and buttons. All items need to be securely sewn on to prevent them from coming lose or falling off, using strong wool and overstitching several times for strength. Strings of beads need to be securely fastened at each end to make sure they could not come loose and scatter.
For safety reasons, please avoid:
- Sharp edges or points
- Pins or badges
- Brittle items or items that might snap easily
- Parts of necklaces, jewellery, chains etc.
- Adhesive backing, glue or sticky surfaces
- Surfaces or textures that could potentially damage frail skin
- Items with screw-on backs
- Zips or other moving parts
- Pop fasteners
- Very long ribbons
- Hook and eye fasteners
- Items which contain liquid, like glow-sticks, or water sealed in beads or key rings
- Wispy wool or wool that will fray easily e.g. Mohair
- Thin cotton thread to attach items to the wool
- Velcro
Further safety advice
- Store and keep away from risk of fire
- Do not hand over a plastic bag to patients, remove the Twiddle Muff first
- To avoid risk of choking, under no circumstances give a child a Twiddlemuff
Once given, the Twiddle Muff is the sole property of the patient. Each item is intended for single patient use only.
With kind thanks to Warrington and Halton NHS Foundation Trust for the original pattern
Comfort Teddies
Trauma teddies are knitted items designed for anyone in distress and offer comfort and distraction in difficult times. Colourful, eye catching patterns and designs and a friendly teddy face are great.
For safety reasons, please avoid adding any items to the teddy
Further safety advice
- Store and keep away from risk of fire
- Do not hand over a plastic bag to patients, remove the teddy first
Once given, the Teddy is the sole property of the patient. Each Teddy is intended for single patient use only
Pattern
No 10 (3¼ mm) needles
Double knitting wool in four colours
Main colour for head and paws
Other colours for Trousers, Jumper and Scarf
Cast on 10 sts main colour
Knit 10 rows
Change to trouser colour and knit 30 rows
Make another leg the same
Knit across all 20 sts and work 16 rows
Change to jumper colour and knit 24 rows
Change to main colour for head and also change to stocking stitch
Work for 5½ (14cm) and change to jumper colour
Continue remainder of teddy in reverse order
Stitch down sides of head
With jumper colour pick up 8 sts either side of the neck join and knit 20 rows
Change to main colour and knit 10 rows for paws. Cast off.
Sew up teddy leaving opening in crotch
Foam rubber is not recommended for stuffing
Then draw a thread around the neck.
Sew head corners diagonally for ears
Sew a happy mouth and eyes on to your teddy
For the scarf cast on 60 sts, knit 4 rows and cast off
Tie the scarf on to the teddy and sew securely to the back of the neck
Please use woollen stiches for the eyes and avoid plastic eyes, beads or buttons or any items that could come off.
With kind thanks to CSV Retired and Senior Volunteer Programme for the original pattern.