Twiddles
We have baskets overflowing with these things at home, and they’re called “twiddles.” At least that’s what they call them in our kids’ kindergarten classes where the teachers seem to spin gold out of oatmeal flakes, and maintain a miraculous yoga-studio-level of peace within a class of 4, 5, and 6 year olds. Those teachers work fairy magic as far I’m concerned, and I can’t do anything NEAR what they do, but I CAN try to replicate their ideas in hopes that it brings me calm, happily occupied children, too.
To make a Twiddle, all you need is TWO BALLS OF YARN.
That’s right:
- Two balls of yarn.
- And a partner. (But a doorknob or any stationary object will do.)
**Note: it’s extra-fun with Twiddles to use multi-colored yarn that changes color every few feet. That’s how that blue and yellow one above seems to have more colors. And wool yarn? EVEN BETTER.
- Cut the two pieces of yarn the same length. You’ll want it pretty long.
2. Give your partner (or the doorknob) one side, and walk away far enough so that the yarn is straight, but not too taut.
3. Start to twist. If you’re twisting with someone, go in opposite directions.
It should start to look like this.
Keep twisting…
If you drop an end, it happens, just pick it back up.
When it seems pretty well twisted, stop.
4. Now it’s time to walk one end over to the other.
You’re basically folding it over. One person, usually the younger one, walks their end to the other person. If you’re working with a doorknob, add (tie) your end to the doorknob too.
5. Now it’s time to WALK THE DOG.
One person is the “walker” while the other stays still. The “dog walker” takes the rounded “U”-shaped” end, and started to pinch it, slowly moving up the chain.
If you think of your fingers as feet, you’re putting one “foot” in front of the other.
**NOTE: The smaller and tighter your footsteps, the tighter your Twiddle will be.
6. When you’ve finished walking the dog, tie off the end, and you’re done! You’ve made a Twiddle.
What do you use a Twiddle for? Basically anything. We’ve wrapped gifts with them in place of ribbons, they’ve been worn as necklaces, bracelets, even belts. We use them as straps when we craft felt pouches. I had one daughter who kept her pants up with them all through third grade because APPARENTLY her mom was too flaky/forgetful/cheap to buy her a real belt.
But mostly they’re just a cool thing to make. And a fun activity for siblings to do together when they’re not trying to cause each other pain. Because you know what they say: Littles who twiddle together…um, giggle together. Okay, I lied, NO ONE says that because IT DOESN’T RHYME AT ALL, but whatever, happy Twiddling.
