Project Specs
Pattern: Thrummed Mittens designed by Jennifer L. Appleby
Pattern Source: Interweave Knits, Winter 2006
Yarn: Patons Classic Wool Merino in Grey Mix, 1 skein; approximately 2 oz Merino Top roving (1 oz each color, pink and purple)
Needles: US6 and US7 double pointed needles
Date started: 12/6/07
Date completed: 12/9/07
Size: Women’s
Modifications: Used only two colors of roving instead of the suggested four.
I know, I’m sure you’re all thinking, “What?? They’ve made even MORE mittens?” Well it’s true! This is the 6th pair of mittens that either Alice or I have made in the last month, and trust me we have no intention of stopping. But can you believe that out of all of those, I still didn’t have a pair for myself until now? Alice made a majority of the mittens (4 pairs), and the only ones I had made before these were the Chevalier Mittens for a friend for Christmas. These are only my second pair of mittens ever, but trust me they won’t be my last.
I’ve been interested in making a pair of thrummed mittens ever since I moved to Boston. The winters here can be so cold, and the worst part isn’t the below freezing temperatures or the snow, it’s the wind. The wind cuts right through every layer of clothing, so a regular pair of mittens just won’t do on the really bad days. However I think that these mittens are the solution since they have an extra thick layer of merino wool on the inside. I’ve tried them out around the house, and although my dexterity is pretty much taken away completely, my hands stay nice and toasty warm.
When I started I really didn’t know how this whole thrumming business worked, but Hello Yarn’s tutorial on how she does thrums was an amazing resource. I really recommend checking it out especially since she has included a free thrummed mitten pattern at the bottom of the page. I think some of the thrums I made were a little too long, causing the mittens look a little lumpy when you’re wearing them. I don’t really mind though, and if you work with them it really isn’t so bad. Eventually they’ll all felt down into mass with wear anyways! The roving I chose was some Merino Top I had sitting around since I was on my last spinning kick. It’s really gorgeous and soft stuff with great depth of color. I purchased it from Mind’s Eye Yarns in Cambridge, MA, and still have about 6 oz left. Maybe I’ll dust the old spindle and make some yarn for a matching hat! The pattern calls for four different colors of roving, but it worked out nicely with two. On the second mitten I reversed the chart so the colors spiraled up the mitten in the opposite direction as the first.
This pattern was a lot of fun to knit and the instructions were clear and easy to follow. If anything the pattern was too easy. I would have liked to see maybe more information on sizing since mine turned out a tad short. Also I wish that there was a thumb gusset instead of just an afterthought thumb. The pattern does include instructions of a child’s size pair which is really nice. I do love the way they turned out, especially the color combo. I can tell that they’re going to fuzz up quite a bit (the first mitten has fuzzed already just wearing it for a couple minutes here and there) and I am just hoping that the roving doesn’t snag too badly.
Since it is cold out today, I’m going to wear these when I wait for the bus to go to the Bazaar Bizarre!
Comments
Your thrummed mittens look great. I have been wanting to try that pattern from IK, and maybe even thrummed house slippers. The link you gave for the tutorial was very helpful.
You are one serious knitten mitten machine and I love them all. I followed your link here from Ravelry and I must say it has been quite educational. I will be back frequently.
Wow you are a really fine knitter! This blog is amazing, very pretty pics and lovely patterns!
Marvellous mittens! Looks like a very interesting technique.
Two thrums -- I mean thumbs -- up. Pretty AND warm.
Wow! I like the colors. Those are definitely what you need in Boston! Seems like if you're kind of gentle with them, and take them off once indoors, they should last forever. Wish i had an excuse to make some to wear here in California.
Thrummed mittens are on my list of things to make for myself too. Have I started? No. I do have the yarn, but I think the roving I was planning to use is rather on the rough side.
Your projects are always so beautiful.
Great mittens! I really like the diagonal striping of the thrums. I've got to make myself some thrummed ones before it gets much colder; thanks for the inspiration!
I made a pair of thrummed mittens from one of the Fleece Artist kits last year (or the year before?).
I LOVE them. It gets really cold here (-30C and colder some days!), and a lot of the cold is in the wind chill. As soon as it is below -15C I pull out the thrummed mitts, and my hands are never cold.
You're right about the dexterity though, I feel like I'm wearing oven mitts. But at least I won't get frostbite!
I loved wearing thrummed mittens when I lived in Providence. Now that I'm in San Diego, they're tucked away until I can get somewhere warm.
LOVE the mittens! I especially love how the thrums come to a flower at the tip! I am actually about to embark on this pattern this week! A friend of mine got me some Fleece Artist kit from Canada, but the pattern stunk, so I have this one and I am going to start over! Wish me luck! I just hope it isn't too crazy on the inside. Yours turned out totally awesome!
Love the inside pic - they look VERY warm, just what you need with these below freezing temps! Enjoy them.
I am in love and they would be perfect for my carpool duties! Now to find the pattern.
I love them! I am enjoying your mitten-knitting spree. I'm really aching to make some mittens after watching the gorgeousness you guys keep cranking out!!
Gorgeous!!
They're awesome! My hands feel toasty warm just looking at the photos. Great job as usual!
OMG! SO CUTE!!!!!!!
So cute! I love the matched spirals, and I think the 2 colors of roving are just gorgeous together!
The wind here in Chicago is pretty terrible, too... so I know what you mean!
So great. They look like such an interesting pattern to try; unfortunately I would never need a pair that thick in this climate.
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