How to make a twist?
 

Okay, I'm a little bit at lost at how can I start making the twisted cords in a perfect way like it on the door knob. I'm thinking of some sort of lofting, but how can I make the curves very smooth?

Just need a bit of a boost to help me get started. :-)

I say use a Twist Deformer then bubble out the belly with a Flare Deformer, bah, this is just what I see when I look at this.

I'd probably do it the other way round , use a lattice to flare it out then use a twist, but thats just me!