こねくり回まわす

godan verb (-su), transitive verb

knead thoroughly; work with the fingers; twist and turn

Emphasizes persistent, often messy or excessive kneading, twisting, or fiddling with something using the hands. The こねくり part adds a nuance of repeated, fussy motion.

• 子こ供どもが粘ねん土どをこねくり回まわして、変へんな形かたちを作つくった。

  The child kneaded the clay thoroughly and made a strange shape.

• 彼かれは考かんがえ事ごとをしながら、ハンカチをこねくり回まわしていた。

  He was twisting and turning his handkerchief while thinking.