Has anyone made a twiddlemuff (this is about knitting it is not a rude thread!!)

[weegiemum]

My dh is a GP and has a specialist dementia home in his area. They have been talking about ways to engage the residents and when the manager mentioned Twiddlemuffs, dh of course said my wife knits, I'll ask her.

The home wants 5 to start with. I've got loads of (donated) yarn and have found patterns online but wondered if anyone had tips - good things to add as stimuli - so far I have ribbons, zips, buttons, bells, and a key (holding a key helps with feeling secure!). Where do I find keys?

Just interested in any feedback?

Sorry, I've not made one yet but I do plan to so following your post with interest. Oddly my local hospital trust asks for no attachments to them which seems a bit of a shame given their purpose. Do you have spare/redundant keys at home you could use?
Another idea I've seen is to add a pocket for people to put special photos/objects in.
Let us know how you get on.

Perhaps also that crinkly stuff they use in baby toys would be good too, and different textures of wool and stitches?

I have knitted in the past for Knit for Peace - haven't made twiddlemuffs but have seen lots. If you search on twitter you'll get ideas. Textured knitting - lots of bobbles like on Aran knitting, cables, pompoms, buttons. Ribbons and things like curtain rings can be attached too but you need to make sure they're securely fastened.

I love the idea of twiddlemuffs.
There's a few patterns on Pinterest

I use Freegle to find unusual things for free. It's a national website for exchanging stuff. Use this link. You register for your geographical area and you will be sent posts of people offering stuff or asking for stuff. I find it really useful - have found tables, packaging beans, chicken wire, all sorts through using the site. I'm sure you could find some old keys through the site.