I enjoy making twiddle mats, muffs, cuffs and standalone twiddle items like octopus, and donating these creations to hospitals and residential care places. Often these donations go through Volunteer Services departments who keep a record of hours of work of volunteers. We are virtual volunteers, working in our homes and in small groups. I have attempted to provide you with a guide to work out the hours involved if you are ever asked for them.
It has been a challenge. I began with great purpose and recorded the start time, became engrossed with the making but forgot to record finish time or stop / start times. Therefore the times listed are only estimations to guide us. How much time involved in making twiddle cuff tells my story when I tried. The suggested time includes, selection of yarn, making and attaching the twiddle item securely. I have included links to items on the website too.
Each suggested time is only an estimation. Each maker will be different. Type of yarn thickness will impact on times too. So, please, adjust the time to reflect your making time.
| Twiddle item | Estimated time (minutes) | Website link |
| Making a rectangle piece for a mat (1 piece, you need 2) | 60 | Creating a twiddle blanket/mat |
| Joining 4 pieces together for a mat | 30 | |
| Making a twiddle muff piece | 120 mins | Making twiddle muffs |
| Making a twiddle cuff piece (1 piece, you need 2) | 45 | How much time involved in making twiddle cuff |
| Twiddle Twirl | 45 | Project Twiddles Twirl A simple & fun twiddle item |
| Smiley face | 45 | A fun idea for knitters |
| Curly worm | 50 | Calming Hands & Minds with stand-alone twiddles |
| Coral Flower | 35 | Twiddle Coral Flowers Making Simple Twiddle Items |
| Twiddles Twirl Flower | 45 | Knitted Project Twiddles twirl flower Project Twiddles flower |
| Buckle with flaps | 45 | Twiddles Gallery |
| Coral Reef | 50 | Twiddle Coral Reef |
| Heart | 60 | Pocket Heart Hugs |
| Heart pocket | 30 | How much time involved in making twiddle creations |
| 8 Petal flower | 40 | Eight Petal Flowers |
| Button flaps | 40 | Button Flaps |
| Flower with ribbon | 40 | Flower with Ribbon |
| Button tabs | 30 | Having fun with button tabs |
| Covered rings | 10 | |
| Decorating large button | 40 mins | |
Standalone Twiddles
| Twiddle | Estimated time | Website link |
|---|---|---|
| Heart hugs | 60 | Pocket Heart Hugs |
| Smiley face | 4560 | Calming Hands & Minds with stand-alone twiddles |
| Puzzle/Maze with beads | Calming Hands & Minds with stand-alone twiddles | |
| Octopus | The Octopus Story | |
Finishing your twiddle creation
Make sure you include the time you take to attach your twiddle items to the mats, cuffs and muffs.
To help you work it out:
| Activity | Estimated time in minutes |
| Sewing on buttons | 5 |
| Sewing on twiddle item | 5 |
| Checking for pins and safe use | 10 |
| Sewing / crocheting a backing to front piece / base | Depending on size: 45 to 90 mins |
| Edging around finished piece | Depending on size & complexity: 45 to 120 mins |
| Edging on a cuff /muff | Depending on size & complexity: 60 to 90 mins |
This all seems rather daunting. Certainly quite confronting to write. But it is only meant as an estimate. And do remember to include with your donations your name, contact details and hours taken to make your wonderful creations. One example is this:
Project Twiddles Donation
Date:
From (name)
Postal Address or Email:
Number of items:
Estimation of total making hours:
Post to: Volunteer Services, C/- Post Office, The Royal Melbourne Hospital,
Parkville, VIC 3050
If you ever need to include hours I hope this helps you. It is only meant as a guide and everyone’s time in making bits and pieces is different.
Happy creating everyone!
Sandra @ Project Twiddles
