This month I'm challenging everyone to a project that I'm hoping will help others, but will also inspire your creativity! We will be creating Fiddle Muffs for local agencies.
What are Fiddle Muffs?
Fiddle Muffs are sensory comfort items that can be used to help those struggling from dementia or those who may have attention or sensory challenges. Knitting, crocheting, or weaving in different textures and colors and including fun 'baubles' such as buttons and bows onto these warm muffs will help calm fidgety fingers and minds.
There are a number of patterns. I will share a few in this post, but there is really a lot of room for variation and creativity allowed in this project. Below are some simple guidelines that might make it easy.
Knitting in the round with 3 Colors/textures:
Main Color: Cast on about 35-40 stitches of med- med bulky weight yarn onto circular needles (8mm circular works well)
Knit in the round until you have a tube about 15" in length
Change to #1 Contrasting Color, knit 4 rows
Change to #2 Contrasting Color, Knit 1 row
Purl 3 Rows
Change to #1 Contrasting Color, knit 4 Rows
Change to Main Color, Knit 4 Rows or enough rows to make approximate 24" long tube
Cast off leaving a tail 3x the circumference of the tube.
Tuck 12" of the main color inside the tube and join the short ends with the long tail
This will create the lining of the tube so that you have a muff approximately 12" long. You can now attach 'baubles' such as buttons, bows and other items to the fiddle muff making sure they are well attached and ends are well woven in.
You can also create this as a flat piece and then seam up the long sides to create the tube. You will simply need to knit the right side and purl the wrong side to create the stockinet stitch.
Crocheted Fiddle Muff
Chain 40 joining the ends together to create a circle. You will be crocheting in the round without turning.
Row 1: Single Crochet around
Row 2-4: Half Double Crochet around
Row 5: Change to first contrasting color, single crochet around
Row 6-7: Single crochet around
Row 8: Double Crochet around
Row 9: Front Post/Back Post Double Crochet around
Row 10-12: Single Crochet around
Row 12: Change to second contrasting color, single crochet around
Row 13: Create a Puff Stitch or bauble stitch around
Row 14: Single crochet around
Work row 9 backwards to row 1 creating the same pattern for the second half of the muff.
You should have a muff approximately 12" long. Cast off and attach "baubles'
These are just two examples, but you can really come up with your own stitch variations and patterns. Be creative and remember we are all unique creations and these muffs are the same. Each one will be uniquely made with love.
Please reach out to me if you need any assistance or yarn support. I will have some different textures and color yarn at our next Stitching Under the Sails!
