Here is a quick and easy pattern to make a fidget toy, with pleasing texture and comforting weight and solidity that can be attached to a key chain, or back-pack, or belt loop, etc. I’ve also included instructions for how to make this into a bracelet.

Fidget toys have been found to be helpful for people with anxiety issues, restless energy (such as people with ADD, ADHD etc), and even some stages of Alzheimer’s disease, as it gives them something to direct the restless energy into. This nearly unconscious redirection can be soothing and calming, and enhance the ability to focus on tasks.

I’ve named this pattern for my Father-in-law, who suffers from Alzheimer’s. Seeing the constant restless energy in the motion of his hands inspired me to come up with a fidget toy that would be simple, comforting, and easily carried/kept handy.

You will need a small amount of sock weight yarn (less than 50 yards) to make either the toy or the bracelet. For each item you make, you will also want a standard sized play marble. One of my testers came up with the idea of making the key-chain longer, and adding a second marble, which is another good possibility.