Sensory alternative to pulling threads out of socks?

[LynnS6]

Ds (9) has SPD and has always fidgeted. We've moved from whole body fidgets down to doing something with his hands.

The good news is that he appears to have stopped pulling his hair. The bad news is that he is pulling fuzz and threads out of his socks. He's made holes in 2-3 socks in the last week and we have little bits of fuzz all over the carpet in the living room and basement (he does it while watching TV too).

Is there an alternative we might be able to give him? I've never been able to find a fidget toy that he likes. He seems to need to pull something.

Or is it just cheaper to buy socks?

[bluebackpacks]

I might try old wash rags from the thrift store-- preferably ones that are threadbare.  That's my idea if the socks are cost-prohibitive.

Other ideas:

• handspinning yarn
• stretchy porcupine ball
• rubik's cube
• spin ring
• tangle
• velcro (either running his fingers over the soft side, or ripping it apart)
• pipe cleaners (pulling his fingers along the length of it)