Author: Sandra

Often you feel that a mat, cuff or mat needs a little more colour or appeal. These little flowers are perfect for that purpose.  They use up my little balls of leftover yarn. 

They took me about 15 minutes.  I thought they could be arranged in a cluster, attached securely with buttons, the flower yarn, with embroidery thread or even a ribbon Have a look at this post. https://www.projecttwiddles.com/flower-with-ribbon/. 

To make the flower I made a magic circle and place 5 single crochet (sc) into the circle and close. Alternatively you can chain 2 and place 5 sc stitches into the first chain.

You can change yarn colour, or as I have done in the photo, work with the same yarn.

Chain 3. In the same stitch make 3 double crochet(dc) stitches. Leave the final loop of each dc on the hook. You will have 4 loops on the hook. Place yarn over the hook and pull through all 4 loops on the hook.

Chain 3 and slip stitch into the same stitch.

Work another 4 petals and slip stitch to finish and sew in ends. 5 petals in total.

You can add a small flower stem, maybe leaves to add interest.

 Happy creating!

Sandra @ Project Twiddles

Many of us struggle to make the embellishments or twiddle items for our twiddle cuffs, muffs and mats.

Making twiddle items or embellishments is often fiddly and time consuming. Over time I have found it much easier to crochet the twiddle items rather than than knitting or sewing them. I find that a theme helps me to think about what to make, for example, a sea theme when I will use sea weed, fish, whales, maybe a boat, even underwater treasure can turn into an adventurous making time. Otherwise I stick with my standard items such as flowers, hearts, pockets, button flaps, buttons encased in a tube to look like an insect.

I decided to go through my rather large, out of control twiddle item stash. I often make a twiddle twirl or small heart while travelling in the car. But sadly I often don’t then attach these twiddle items to a mat, cuff or muff. And the stash grows.

I found lots of circles in the stash and turned these into the coral flower. I turned these into a Coral Reef Flower.

You could keep going if you want to but this makes a nice small coral reef flower for your twiddle project.

You can also make the circles of only 2 rows if you prefer. I often use a different colour yarn on the last row.

A very easy twiddle item that can be placed on a muff, cuff and a mat.

Enjoy having fun making them.

Happy creating!

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Do you remember French knitting? Or maybe you remember it as pool knitting using a spool tool?

I was making the icords for the Knitted Project Twiddles twirl flower and remembered how we use to French knit. I discovered a ‘4 pin knitting dolly’ in a local craft shop and decided to give it a go. Once upon a time we would have made the tool from an old wooden cotton reel and hammered in small nails.

When I have enough icords I will fold them in half, thread a needle and draw through the middle of each one. I wind the thread around the middle tightly and then secure the project twiddle twirl flower to the twiddle base.

Such fun to make for a change!

Happy creating!

I made the knitted version of the project twiddles twirls flower.  Travelling in a car and plane gave me the opportunity to patiently knit 40 tails from 10cm to 15 cm in length.  The knitters will know these as icords.  

Cast on 3 stitches using a 3.5mm circular needles.  I used just the needle part and not the cord. 

Knit 3 and do not turn your work. Slide work to opposite end of needle and keep knitting until you reach desired length (anything from 10cm to 15 cm).   Cast off.

Keep making them until you have enough to make a flower.  Darn in the tails.  Fold each icord in half.  If you have used different colours, arrange them, then thread strong cotton though the middle of each one until they are joined.  Wrap the cotton around the icords and attach to the cuff firmly.  Shape the icords like a flower.  You might like to put a button or little flower in the middle made from the pattern below.  

Such fun to make and can be used for endless possibilities on your twiddle creations. Look for the French knitting top tip story too.

Happy creating everyone!

Looking back over my stories and the examples I have posted, I realised there are not many knitting examples. We all need new challenges, so I have been focusing on providing some knitted twiddle items.  

Knitting project twiddles twirls (you might know them as curlicues or curly cues or even curly Qs) instead of crocheting was so much fun.  My granddaughter called them twirls, so twirls they are.

I used double knit yarn and cast on 20 stitches.  

• Row 1: I knitted into the back and front of every stitch.  I now had 40 stitches on my needle.  
• Row 2:  I purled across all 40 stitches. 
• Row 3:  Cast off all the stitches loosely. 

One twirl is made.  I made two more, sewed them together and attached them to the cuff with a project twiddles button. I made another 5 and stitched them onto a twiddle cuff where I joined the two ends together. 

Whether you knit or crochet, trust me, you can have so much fun making these twirls. Do have a go.

I am grateful to Maniototo Wool for the simple story of how to make project twiddle twirls /curlicues. Find the story at” https://www.maniototowool.co.nz/knitting-curlicues/

Happy creating!

Twiddle twirls are my favourite item to add to my twiddle projects, my blankets, children’s gifts, in fact any excuse to make and use them in some creative way.  When away from home, I have odd balls of yarn with me that I turn into twirls ready to place on twiddle cuffs, muffs or mats.

Crochet and knitting people will know these as curlicues.  When I was making these twirls I asked my granddaughter what to call ‘it”.  Twirls, she said.  So Project Twiddle Twirls they are.

Making a twiddle twirl
I find that the smaller the hook or knitting needles the better the twirl.  I use 3.5 mm crochet hook and knitting needles and double knit yarn.  But as you make them you will find what size hook, needles and yarn works best for the result you want. 

Knitting Instructions
Cast on 20 stitches (more if you want a longer twirl), knit into the back and front of every stitch (kfb)  across the row.  Cast off. Darn in your ends and you’re are ready to use it.  

If you want to make a curlier twirl, knit into the back and front  and then front (kfbf) of every stitch across the row and then cast off.    This way can be tight to complete the row but well worth the perseverance.   

Crochet Instructions
Chain 20 stitches (more if you want a longer twirl).  Turn and in the second chain from the hook put 2 single crochet stitches and in every chain back to the beginning.  Finish off. 

You can turn your twirls into a lot of interesting features: legs for your octopus; make a twirly flower; add them to your edging on your mats; something to play with inside a muff; or an additional fun finger activity on other twiddle items. The opportunity is endless.

Have fun making your twiddle twirls.

Sandra @ Project Twiddles

Apologies to all the knitters!  I realised that I have been sharing my ideas from my own crochet journey and forgotten about all the knitters.  So this posting is for you!

Knitting like crocheting is a soothing activity.  More research around about that than for crocheting. If you are new to knitting, trust me, that as you build up your confidence and your frustration diminishes, you will feel calmer and enjoy what you are doing. 

The beauty of project twiddles is that you don’t have to do fancy stitches or use quality yarn.  Use those leftover balls of yarn to create a mat or muff.  Invite a friend or two over, or meet in a café, and knit small mats together.  Have a laugh together as you create your mats. 

There are lots of learn to knit videos on youtube.com, for example this one https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KCgEUwESYZk&t=0s  

This pattern is lots of fun.  It is knitted on the diagonal in garter stitch, often called C2C (corner to corner).  And it fits in well with Project Twiddles principle that size is not important.  Here is my attempt:

• I used double knit yarn and size 4.00 m knitting needles.  You could use bigger needles and thicker yarn, and lots of different colours.  
• I started with one stitch on my needle and increased one stitch at the beginning of every row until I had 120 stitches.  To increase, you knit into the front of the first stitch but you do not slip the stitch off the left needle. Instead, knit into the back of the same stitch and you should end up with 2 stitches on the right needle.  You can vary the number of total stitches but you need at least 120 for a small mat.
• I knitted one row without increasing.  
• Then I began decreasing one stitch at the beginning of each row by knitting two stitches together, until only two stitches were left.
• I knitted these two stitches together, and then cast off the one remaining stitch.

I was surprised how soft and squishy the finished mat was.  Knitting C2C allowed me to revisit an old technique I had forgotten about and provided me with lots of fun.  If you forget to increase or decrease, drop stitches, make holes,  it does not matter as it will be decorated and mistakes covered up.

My knitting and crocheting is timeout therapy for me. I enjoy the rhythmic flow of knitting and crocheting. It’s a very peaceful time, a wonderful experience.

So when I get questions about ‘how many stitches do I cast on’ or ‘what size chain do I make’ or ‘how long do I make a twiddle blanket’, I know that there is a certain amount of anxiety to make the piece right.  

I want to reassure you that any instructions are just that, instructions for you to interpret.  When you make a blanket ( I prefer calling them twiddle mats) and you think the size is right test it out by putting it on your lap and visualize someone playing with the twiddle items.  If the size feels right, then it is! 

A twiddle muff is usually around 60 centimetres (24 inches) in length, then folded in half.  If you only do 38 centimetres (15 inches)  that’s ok as you can make a twiddle cuff.  

Currently I am making small twiddle mats around 38 centimetres (15 inches) square.  I intend to back them by turning in each corner to make a finished twiddle mat.  I am enjoying playing around with ideas .  I know that what appeals to some patients doesn’t to others so I like making a variety.   And I get my dose of timeout therapy and get my creative juices flowing.  

So a very important message from me, is please settle into  creating pieces that you enjoy making. All creations no matter what size can be used in someway.

Happy creating everyone!

Sandra @ Project Twiddles

Making something is not everyone’s cup of tea.   That’s fine.  

Sometimes it is about the lack of motivation to finish the work in progress, affectionately known as a WIP. Or you haven’t enough time, a family member needs you, the pattern is too hard, too abstract, not interesting enough to hold your attention, you are in awe seeing other people’s work.   And there is the uncertainty of the times we live in which saps your energy and motivation.

We all have these times so here are some tips to help you move on.  

• Find a moment for you, sit down and crochet or knit just one row.  When I arrived home from work I would always sit and crochet or knit a couple of rows to make the transition from the outside world to the comfort of my home.  Pick up your WIP for a few minutes.  You will be surprised how moments like these help you in making progress with the item.

• Talk with someone about what you are trying to do and how you are feeling about it. Maybe someone at work over coffee, the phone or Zoom.   You will be surprised how just talking about the situation makes you feel better and how many people are in the same situation as you.  Unfinished or discarded WIP are a common problem.  You could even crochet or knit while you are talking!  A few minutes at a time is all you need to make progress.   

• Try making something small to contribute to a larger twiddle creation.  You don’t have to make the whole twiddle muff, mat or cuff.  Maybe you like making small flowers for someone else to attach the twiddle mat, muff or cuff.  That’s great.   

What is important is that we all find what we like doing and get pleasure from doing it.  Making twiddle muffs, mats and cuffs for others to enjoy should not be a chore.  We, the makers, benefit too.  For me, the rhythmic and repetitive nature of crocheting or knitting a row has a soothing and calming  effect. 

Have a look at the story in the Blankets section on project twiddles website (www.projecttwidles.com) titled Creating a twiddle blanket/muff. This story is in 4 steps.  Maybe you want to try only one of these steps.  That’s awesome. There will be someone who loves assembling the twiddle creations using your contributions.  

Have a go! Make mistakes, that’s when you learn.

Happy creating!

Sandra @ Project Twiddles

I am often asked this question, mainly because crocheted and knitted blankets are not usually backed, unlike quilted blankets.  

You might be more familiar with the term lining which serves the same purpose as backing.  For twiddle mats this means, attaching an additional cover to the back of a mat or blanket to make it warmer, sit better on a lap, and to protect the stitchings (threads) on the back of the main piece.  

Backings (linings) can be crocheted or knitted; made from flannelette or flannel; or other materials such as calico. I rummage around in remnant bins and find pieces that I can use. 

If I am using flannelette or flannel, I place the twiddle mat on top of the flannel and cut around the flannel leaving about 1 cm extra to hem the material.  I sew around the edge using my sewing machine.   Sometimes I will use the sewing machine to sew directly onto the twiddle mat.  If I am away from home, or feeling like doing some rhythmic hand stitching, I will hand sew the backing on using blanket stitch.   

If the blanket is large, I only back the middle area where I have attached twiddle items.

Often I make a backing from old jumpers or discarded knitted /crocheted pieces.  Leftover granny squares are good for this.  I am more likely though to just crochet or knit a piece to use.  I attach it to the main piece with single crochet stitches.  Regardless of the type of backing I then have fun crocheting a border.  I use these opportunities to learn new crocheting techniques. 

It really is over to you, and what suits you best at the time.

Happy creating everyone! 

Sandra @ Project Twiddles