Tips For Making Thrums

re: Tips For Making Thrums

Lynda@2 — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 17:47:02 GMT

If you want to make roving from left overs get 2 small wire brushes for cats as they are like tiny carders and card the wool yarn.

re: Tips For Making Thrums

Jessica-JeanI — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 23:03:31 GMT

Has anyone tried making thrums from (100% wool, of course) pre-cut yarn lengths made for latch-hook rug-making? I think I'll try it, since I've a few bags of them and no desire to make a rug.

re: Tips For Making Thrums

SueW — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 12:43:19 GMT

Brilliant!! The only use for thrums I've ever experienced was for use in rug making but it never occurred to me to use them in knitting. Doh! Well done y'all. Sue from Oswestry, UK.

re: Tips For Making Thrums

Ann@3 — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 23:02:06 GMT

Actually, you can buy roving/top online. Just Google "roving" or anything similar and you can get any type, any color, sometimes a small bag of samples. Try it. You'll like it.

re: Tips For Making Thrums

cmwarner — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 15:11:01 GMT

What happens when the thrummed garments are washed? Don't the thrums felt up into little masses and lose their fluff?

re: Tips For Making Thrums

MelanieD — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 09:06:07 GMT

I have been so interested to read about this and to learn a new word, too - thrums! When I first lived in Eastern Switzerland in 1984, I was living with a very ecologically aware family who made whatever they could themselves and generally lived very simply, which has had a lasting effect on me. We had quite a lot of late snow and the mother of the household, late 30s at the time, was just making some mittens for her 10 yr old daughter at the time - and she was attempting to make them even warmer and more snowproof (without going out to buy manmade fibre mittens) by using thrums. Hers, however, were not actually made of roving. She had thick homespun wool anyway, and just cut short lengths, which she looped into the mittens for this effect. I was quite fascinated by the idea and never forgot it, although until now I have never heard of or seen it again... ... and now it even has a name! Goodness knows what the Swiss called it!! Does anyone know how it originated or where the name comes from??

re: Tips For Making Thrums

HelenD — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 03:19:27 GMT

I've made thrummed mittens before, but I've never made up a pile of thrums ahead of time. I just pulled the roving into little bits as I went along. Rather than create a piece with loops at both ends, I just fold the length of roving over my finger (like a very short unspun piece of yarn) and knit it in with the yarn for the mitten. I would think the loops would catch finger tips, unless they're very small. But, since it's 10 degrees tonight and going to be at a high of 18 tomorrow, maybe some warmer mittens or even slippers are in order.

re: Tips For Making Thrums

Lisa@8 — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 21:41:15 GMT

I crochet far far more than I knit, but I found "thrums" to be fascinating. Thanks for the information so far. I am looking forward to tomorrows email. I also like seeing both crochet and knit patterns. We crafters can enjoy more than one addiction.

re: Tips For Making Thrums

AmandaD — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 21:33:06 GMT

Hi in England we call Roving 'wool top', if this is the same material you would use to make felt with.

re: Tips For Making Thrums

maryalma — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 21:26:00 GMT

I bartered for raw wool from 3 pet sheep, breed unknown, I figured if it didn't spin well I could use it for felting. Could it be used for thrums? Thank you, Mary Alma cmcs78@hughes.net

re: Tips For Making Thrums

InaH — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 20:46:40 GMT

please tell me where i can find the lace cardigan you picture with add for store and dvd of Knitting daily tv show??? thank you ina- dharding2@stny.rr.com

re: Tips For Making Thrums

PatriciaD — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 20:21:26 GMT

Roving needed for the Thrum mittens, can be found at most Weaveing Shops..it is called Pencil roving..works wonder for the mittens..also can be used for socks/hats using the same method.It works great.

re: Tips For Making Thrums

JayelF — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 20:20:55 GMT

Okay, Sandi, now I have to try this! I have all this roving sitting around with my felting needles, waiting for inspiration. Thrummed mittens, here I come!. I'll bet unspun or pencil roving would work too, just not quite as fluffy.