STILL haven't aced that move (gonna try this punching idea, it sounds fairly sensible), however in my efforts I discovered a variant on the move ...
Did you ever play "One potato, two potato, three potato, four ..."?
Assuming you do forward butterfly with your right hand on top: on the upswing move your left hand in a half circle, clockwise, around your right hand so that left is on top (One potato...). That's one beat, now move your right hand in a half circle anti-clockwise around your left so that right is on top again (two potato ...), repeat.
In effect you're just putting one hand on top of the other in time to your butterfly beat. Remember your hands change altitude not distance from body (major difference from thread the needle).
From my point of view it looks like quite an arb(itrary) move but people say it looks good.
Try letting out a whoop (YEEEEE-HAAAAAA !) while doing it, it'll change poeples focus from the whirling poi to your face/hands.
Wish me luck with this punching thing !
Bish