This is part 1 of the Crochet Along Fidget/Sensory Blanket for Alzheimer’s, a project dedicated to all persons suffering from any form of memory and cognitive disabilities. Before proceeding to Part 2, Part 3 and Part 4, please read through the post.
It is a project I would love as many of you to join me in because of what it symbolises- a piece of comfort and stability, especially for those experiencing Alzheimer’s.
Sometime in 2017 I came across an article, it was quite popular at the time, about a woman whose mother suffers from Alzheimer’s. She posted a picture of how her mother’s crocheting had deteriorated due to the disease.
This photo struck me, as it did many others because it kind of gave me an understanding of how bad this disease can be, and I could never imagine what it would be like losing my ability to create beautiful things or see someone I love go through such.
I could never imagine growing old and being struck by a disease that could leave me unable to button or unbutton my shirt, hold and use a crochet hook or even remember who my children are. I could never imagine it! And it pains my heart that people are actually going through this.
However, that’s not what go me started on this Fidget/Sensory Blanket. In fact, I never knew anything about them. But as I always say, “thank God for Pinterest”. I came across this type of blanket sometime in May this year and the first thing I remembered was the story of that woman.
And I thought to myself, “why not make one with crochet?”. I needed to see if this was something I could create, and now it means a lot more to me than any other project I have designed.
Since all the Fidget/Sensory Blankets I saw were sewn, I studied the photos, checking what safe elements I could use that would work well with the yarn. I also felt this blanket should be as simple as possible, not too busy, not scanty either. And though this is my first try, I think it came out well.
From what I’ve learnt about Fidget/Sensory blankets, they only need to be big enough to lay on the lap for easy reach. This blanket is made in 6 blocks which are joined together and measures 17.2″ wide by 21″ tall (after blocking). Should you decide to sew one, you may find this article helpful on how to make a fidget blanket.
This Fidget/Sensory blanket is so special to me, not that I personally know anyone suffering from Alzheimer’s or Dementia, but just for what it symbolises- Hope, Stability, Memories.
I may have no one to give it to right now, but it so happens our toddler began playing with it right before I assembled all the blocks. So it’s still useful for toddlers to build cognitive and motor skills. What a win-win!
You might ask, “why crochet one when I can just buy one?”. Well, I’ll counter-ask “You have the ability to make awesome things with crochet, why not do it?”
So, what will you be needing for this Crochet Along? 10 different sized buttons (some of which you already have in your craft stash or pluck out the ones from clothing you no longer use), 2 zippers, 25 grms or less of contrast yarn, beads and you’re set. Oh, I must not forget the yarn to actually make the blocks- less than 500 yards (I used only 1 and a half balls of what you see in the photo).
Crochet Along Fidget/Sensory Blanket for Alzheimer’s- Free Pattern
See Part 2, Part 3 and Part 4.
I’m excited to have you join me and see what yours will look like.
Join me on our private facebook group for updates and to share your progress and thoughts. Thank you.
My daughter-in-love is making crocheted fidget toys for one of the special ed teachers. She prompted me to look for patterns and ideas. That is how I came across your site. It is a wonderful idea!
What a find!! I have been looking for an adult crochet fidget blanket! Thank you so much!!!
My mom has Alzheimers and I’m hoping it may help her “keep busy” or calm her down when she’s “raging”. Alzheimers is a terrible disease. It breaks my heart to see my mother like this. I’m terrified of developing it also since it’s hereditary. I’m not terrified for me since I won’t be much aware. I’m terrified for my sons. I don’t want them to be burdened by me or feel guilty if they put me in a home.
I hope it helps your mother, and I hope it does it not happen to you.
this is such a wonderful idea, thank you for sharing the pattern!! my grandpa has advanced alzheimers and he’s never been a person who sits still, but unfortunatly he is now wheelchair bound. I think this would be a wonderful thing for him! he had learned to crochet in the last 10 years or so as well and made dishcloths for us for Christmas, so I feel like this would be a nice ode to that and a familiar texture for him.
hey Rose,
I’m am finding this post nearly 5 years after you originally posted it. It’s a fantastic idea, but unfortunately the links for parts 2-4 lead me to an error page that says the web address is incomplete. I tried the links at both the top and bottom of the page, but none of them worked. I’m hoping you’ll be able to help me out.
keep up the fantastic work,
Sabrina
I’m sorry, the site is experiencing some technical issues. We’re working to fix them. However you could try the link again.
Hi Rose! FYI although the link to Part 2, listed below under “Don’t Miss These” works, the links to Parts 2 and 4, listed above, in the body of the post, lead to an obsolete location, as do the links to Fidget Blankets within the Twiddle Muff post. Also, Part 3 seems to be MIA. Thanks!
I’m sorry, the site is experiencing some technical issues. We’re working to fix them. However you could try the link again.
Good morning from Brisbane Australia i have just been asked by my daughter to make your lovely fidget blanket for her 53 year father in law. He has Lewys Body Dementia and is in a nursing home. Could you please send me a copy of your pattern. I can’t find part 1
Thank you for this heartfelt idea and blanket. Should I use a neutral color for the blocks? I have a large skein of light yellow and another one that is light green. I have been looking for a pattern to use them in.
You could mix the colours?
Thank you. This is a fabulous project. I work in a library and this mat is perfect for our intellectual disability group that visits. This mat also gives me ideas for my storytime groups. In the past we have made sensory books, but I have been thinking of making books using zippers, buttons, etc. Now I can make the mats and we can play after our stortime is over.
It would be great if you made books like that.
I made this for a very sweet friend whose mama suffers from dementia.
I posted a picture of the blanket that I made on one of my crochet groups on Facebook and a link to the pattern.
Everyone has had a fit over this!!!
I’m also a nurse and I took it for our therapists to look at and give their input for any modifications that they would like.
They loved it tooooooo!!! Lol
Thank You for this pattern.
It’s absolutely perfect
Thank you SO MUCH for your feedback on this fidget blanket and sharing the link to the pattern. It makes my heart glad that it is impacting people’s lives.
I loved the idea of the fidget blanket. However for kids, especially smaller ones, I would worry about the buttons, beads and the loose tie string being pulled off. For older kids perhaps okay. Perhaps fasten or figure a way that small children, who can be very strong by the way, can’t pull anything off and stick in mouth. Sorry, like I said I love the blanket but just worry about kids.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts! This Fidget Blanket was designed with Seniors in mind. Anyone can take inspiration from it and create something child appropriate.
Thank you for this! 💓 my dad has Alzheimer’s and this project will not only give me something to work on and enjoy, but I think he’ll like it too.
Hello Kat, I am so glad you found this and I hope your dad finds comfort with the finished project. Thank you for stopping by and sharing your thoughts.
I made two of these in quilting fabric with my quilt guild a couple years ago for a charity group in our community. I am also a crochet fanatic, and this is a neat pattern for something similar. I have ADHD and a light case of Asberger’s, and I found myself playing with my own quilts!
Oh, what a blessing you were able to create something that eventually turned out useful for you.
I just had to place my mother in long term care due to dementia. It is a small facility and only has 12 residents but it is very highly rated. While visiting, I noticed all the residents do tend to wander and touch everything. I have been searching for a pattern/idea to make for my mother, now I hope I have the time to make one for each resident before Christmas. Yes, I want to make 12 of them.
Oh, that’s amazing and I really hope you find the time to make all 12 of them before Christmas. It would be a wonderful Christmas gift. Thank you for stopping by and sharing your thoughts.
This is an awesome pattern. I do sew as do my 3 sisters and we actually made our mother a fidget quilt a couple of years ago (she passed away almost 2 yrs ago). In addition to the usual fidget items, we made ours out of things that had meaning to her ( a miniature clothesline with pins to hang clothes on, a small Raggedy Ann and Andy doll and booklet, some thread spools and other sewing notions and a tiny sewing machine on a clip from the kids’ toy section at Michael’s and a few crocheted things – she taught us the love of handcrafted items, and also a pickle on a clip to remind her of the time we spent canning pickles with her mom ). At the time I had thought of doing this crocheted fidget muff that I had seen but ran out of time : (
One of my sisters is retired from a nursing home and she has been making fidget quilts to donate there and to other homes, and I would love to make a few of these in Mom’s memory to donate as well.
WOW! What beautiful memories you have of your mother. She was blessed to have you and your sisters. I truly hope these blankets you and your sisters make bring comfort to those you donate them to.
Thank you for this article and pattern. My Mom passed away 8 years ago, she suffered from Alzheimers for about 6 years before then. In my mine it is the worst illness anyone can have – not only does it distroy the person, but it also distroys the family as they watch their loved one slip into a world of their own.
Oh, I’m so sorry to hear about your mother. Truly, I could never imagine what it was like for you to go through that. May all be well with you and yours.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
What a lovely thought. It is really a beautifull blanket. Pity I didn’t think of it while I was caring for my dad (12 years). I will definitely try it out. Have everything. Making baby jackets for my stall on Country Market.
Thank you for sharing. And good luck to all for trying it.
Lynette.
South Africa.
Hello Lynette. I’m sorry about your dad. Sometimes we get overwhelmed by many things and cant do it all. I hope your baby jackets become a hit. Thank you for stopping by and sharing your thoughts.
This is amazing. Think this is my next project. My gran has Alzheimer’s so would be perfect for me to make for her as a gift 🎁
Oh DOnna, that would be wonderful. I am certain she would find it very useful. Thank you for stopping by and don’t forget to share your progress with us on facebook or instagram.
What a wonderful idea. I shared on my Facebook page. 🙂
Oh, thank you so very much. The things we can do with crochet…
This is a great project to use up scrap yarn by making each block a different color. I’ve been wanting to make some fidget muffs or pads for the local nursing home. This is great. I have a ton of scraps I can use for this.
It is going to be wonderful. I can just piture what it will look like, a vibrant fabric. Your kindness will touch lives. Thank you for stopping by adn sharing your thoughts.
What a great idea! love that it can serve as a mini blanket as well. I’m sure it will get used a ton.
That’s right. And it also be used as a play mat for the little ones. Thank you for stopping by and sharing your thoughts.