What is a Thrum and Why is it in My Mitten?

re: What is a Thrum and Why is it in My Mitten?

sharon@4 — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 09:16:47 GMT

Hi It's summer here in Australia and has been very hot. around june it starts to get cold I'm looking forward to trying out your Thrums although I don't know where to get the yarn from we are very isolated here .

re: What is a Thrum and Why is it in My Mitten?

AmyS@12 — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 20:29:20 GMT

Hi. Your video for crochet thrum mittens is very clear. I thought you were going to have a video for knitted thrum mittens -- am I mistaken? Is it somewhere else? Again, I appreciate your videos. They are very clear.

re: What is a Thrum and Why is it in My Mitten?

ZassZ — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 02:01:06 GMT

JOY & RobinC, I was going to mention but didn't, but now that you did about the Keeshonden fur. I was told by my breeder that their fur does not have an odor even when wet, like most other dog hair. It's true, our Kees was with us for quite a long time and her fur never did. Once I bathed her, I brush her and separate the clean fur into pillowcase for spinning later. Keeshonden have a double coat, the undercoat is soft and the top is furrylike.

re: What is a Thrum and Why is it in My Mitten?

JOY@2 — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 15:33:14 GMT

Someone mentioned dog hair--there are lots of sites on the web discussing how to collect, spin, knit, etc. I am currently saving the undercoat of my Australian shepherd--I keep it in a mesh bag. The plan is to mix it 50/50 with merino wool. I have been advised to not wash it prior to spinning. Also, they say it will always have the dog smell when wet, so something more than a hat it probably not a good idea. The down I collect is similar to the musk ox--very soft and expensive! Good luck! S

re: What is a Thrum and Why is it in My Mitten?

JOY@2 — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 15:25:56 GMT

Last year I ran across thrums somewhere on the web and was so excited by the concept I proceeded to make a pair of mittens. They are really warm and eventually the thrums felt for an even warmer mitten. The roving is so soft it is like wearing clouds on your hands! Thrums were used in leg warmers, fronts of sweaters, vests, hats, boot socks, anyplace where people needed to be kept warm. The thrums can be spaced however one wants--only on the back, an inch apart, etc. Mittens without leather palms are not good for driving and the palms are hard to find. Happy thrumming! S

re: What is a Thrum and Why is it in My Mitten?

ZassZ — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 05:03:31 GMT

RobinC No, it's not too crazy. In fact we had a gorgeous Keeshonden. The couple we purchased her from told us about how beautiful their fur is and people really do knit with it. It has been done before! Hope you can too.

re: What is a Thrum and Why is it in My Mitten?

berigora — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 03:05:01 GMT

Thrumming seems like a wonderful alternative to using faux fur lining in all sorts of items, not just mittens. I grew up in post-war London and instead of mittens had a muff with a real fleece lining and a useful pocket on the outside. It kept the hands warmer than gloves did and of course did not get wet during snowball fights. Just the accessory for trying out this technique - but it can wait until our scorching Australian summer becomes a memory! Thank you.

re: What is a Thrum and Why is it in My Mitten?

Lulu5156 — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 22:50:43 GMT

What amazing mittens, you certainly couldn't find these store. They are so cute! Thanks for sharing.

re: What is a Thrum and Why is it in My Mitten?

tamdoll — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 00:54:05 GMT

I adore my thrummed mittens, made them a few winters ago before I knew what I was doing. They're huge. The roving pattern is irregular (I just threw in a strand when I remembered to). The wool inside and out is starting to clump a little. But I wouldn't trade them for the world! I shovel with them, wear them when I have to walk outside in this frigid New England weather. Now that I know better, I'm going to make some more, make them prettier and would encourage everyone to make at least one for themselves!

re: What is a Thrum and Why is it in My Mitten?

BettyB — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 18:46:05 GMT

I live in Quebec, canada, and the winters are cold. I'Ve been making thrum mitts for agesand my family loves them! The slippers are wonderful also, toasty warm, but don't forget to add leather soles, as they are very slippery!! (If you have rugs all over then it is not necessary. Betty B shefford quebec canada

re: What is a Thrum and Why is it in My Mitten?

LeslieB — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 16:34:48 GMT

Well, now I have to make a pair. Ball of roving and you sending a message about them now requires it. Thanks, sigh.

re: What is a Thrum and Why is it in My Mitten?

Kristie — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 15:48:46 GMT

I made some thrummed mitts for my niece last year, (without thumbs, she didn't need them and it made for quick knitting!) and I bought undyed roving, and then my 5 yr old nephew and I died little batches of it in kool-aid until we had all the colors of the rainbow, and made a rainbow mitten that way. Since you only use a small amount of roving for a pair of mittens, by dying it yourself you only have to buy one chunk of it instead of lots of different colors. You can check knitty.com for instructions on kool-aid dying.

re: What is a Thrum and Why is it in My Mitten?

ChrisT — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 15:45:50 GMT

I made three pairs of thrummed mittens this winter and they are the best mittens I have ever put my hands into. I have also made several earflap hats and thrummed the earflaps, then needle felted the thrums - oh, so nice and soft on the ears, and so warm. This is a great idea to spread the thrums around the world.

re: What is a Thrum and Why is it in My Mitten?

GillianB — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 10:56:28 GMT

There is a free two needle thrum mitten pattern at www.wool-tyme.com I have made dozens and dozens using this pattern--it uses canadian wool produced by Briggs & Little--a tough hard-wearing outdoorsy wool. People say thrum mittens are like instant warm.

re: What is a Thrum and Why is it in My Mitten?

kittybear24 — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 08:21:47 GMT

I have the interweave crochet that these are in.I actually saw a how to video on thrums on youtube.Im not sure if it is the same person but im pretty sure since she said that it was for knitting and she haddone these for crocheters in the viseo.I was so stoked when i saw those but then i saw a written pattern that i can have and love forever.oh, it's too good.....Now, all i have to do is finish one of my 8 WIP's so i can start these...flump