Lovikka mitts

[SGL70]

So in the pursuit of learning new things I have turned my attention to the making of mitts and socks, even if I was an utter failure with these thing when I last tried (during school waaay back when...)

I wanted to try my hand at making traditional Lovikka mitts. So with some google-fu i found some instructional vids at Youtube. Mommy dearest have been very helpful as well....

https://drive.google.com/open?id=0Bza6zoWd1ZJCQTNHZ3pBLUlQcnc&authuser=0
https://drive.google.com/open?id=0Bza6zoWd1ZJCSUZGWWFDRUVMWUk&authuser=0

So....i have almost completed the left glove and besides the fading feeling of being Knapsu, think this is rather fun and rewarding - You can do it indoors and it yields a warm result.

The aestethics of the mitts will hopefullt improve with practise.

Happy New Year!

//Greger

 

[Toddy]

Well done

I think knitting is a vastly under-rated skill, I really do.

Socks, boot liners, mitts, wristwarmers, vests, gloves, hats, scarves, cowls, all make life very comfortable when it's perishing cold.

If you make them too large, and then felt things like mitts, you'll make them windproof too

M

 

[TallMikeM]

excellent stuff, one day I'm going to learn to knit (it'll be quicker and more productive than nagging mrsTallM to do the knitting for me).

 

[Toddy]

In the past professional knitters were men. They were quicker and their work was tighter.
There are some superb examples of knitted tapestries as well as clothing, that they made.
Sailors and lighthousekeepers were all known to knit their own clothing pieces too, and in wartime menfolks who could repair and create new were appreciated.
Now it's most often seen as a domestic/housewifely thing, but it's really not; it's a very practical skill.

There are men-only classes being set up in London because of the rise of the appeal in learning this skill, and there are dozens of sites out there too.
http://knittingdoc.wordpress.com/when-knitting-was-a-manly-art/
http://www.menwhoknit.com/community/


M

 

[TallMikeM]

I remember reading in a Dales folk museum how the (male) lead miners would knit socks for the navy on the way to and from work. You'd have to have the balls off of several brass monkey to tell them it was women's work.
When my left hand heals up a bit I'll have to nag mrs Tall to teach me. Bit tricky to knit with only 1 and 1/2 hands.

 

[tombear]

Lovely work!

I've tried to learn a couple of times but have some sort of mental block despite the best efforts of some patient folk. Thankfully the other half is good at such things!

My grandad used to knit, he started off underground but ended up minding the boilers for the cage etc so he could do it, or make rag rugs, while he watched the gauges etc. I regret nothing was kept after he died although it was probably all used to destruction.

ATB

Tom

 

[SGL70]

Thanks folks.

Hehe...it is tricky with two hands

This youtube series was helpful to me (in swedish, but I think it could help never the less) http://youtu.be/ZCnaAqpzyQg

 

[SGL70]

Need to hurry the knitting along

 

[Toddy]

For a change, we're colder than Scandinavia !

The thermometer in my back garden reads -3.2 just now, though the one in that's sitting with the Sun shining on it is at -1.7.

It's a beautiful day here though

M

 

[Grebby]

I think you may have mis read where the decimal point it there Toddy

 

[Toddy]

Ooops

I did indeed.

Okay, you're a lot colder than we are

Get knitting lad !

M

 

[SGL70]

Hehe...

So for the right hand mitt, I was given somewhat stern instructions to use less brute force by my mother. As one always should listen to mothers, I did as told. There was a result...from the same starting setup in both cases I got a pair that were somewhat Jekyll-and-Hydish...

The bigger one is better so the left hand puppet will have to go...I will attempt to make a new one, but I am a bit worried about the size of that one...

 

[Toddy]

It's like writing; with a little practice you find your own tension, your own 'style'. The third one's most likely to turn out like your second one

You should have seen the difference in the first pair of socks I knitted on five pins
My Granny just laughed, and told me what I've just told you.

M

 

[SGL70]

Knitting might just be a numbers game...if I do enough mitts, I will eventually have a matching set

...but I think your granny is right, though..

 

[SGL70]

Finally completed.

The new left glove came in ok in size.

Traditionally, the mitts are decorated (embroidered somewhat... in sharp colours) as well as combed (do not know the proper term for it) and I did so too.

To get the exact right tactical feel, I used black thread for embroidery and I took a small steel brush to the mitts.

The final result:

Some conclusions:
It is not that hard. Anyone can do it.
It was a surprisingly fast project.
Cheap: less than 15 €
Fun!!

 

[Gary Elson]

Hi
Great mitts
Just show them to my wife (an experienced knitter!) could you tell me what wool you have used please ?

Thanks stay warm
Gary

 

[SGL70]

It is a 100% wool simply called Lovikka.
Here is one webshop: http://www.ullcentrum.com/list_varugrupp.asp?varugrupp=281&t=Lovikka+garn

 

[Gary Elson]

Thanks
Do you wire brush them to get the same effect as felting, so that the fibres mix together to achieve a tighter weave ?
Gary

 

[SGL70]

Yes, I used a wire brush on them. I am not sure if they are felted traditionally...will have to look into it.

 

[SGL70]

The first ever Lovikka (around 1892) mitt was actually a failure - the customer didn't want them as they were too tough and hard. In an attempt to make then softer, Erika Aittamaa washed them and used a carding comb...and it was kind of successful. So the story goes.

However, in my family, the washing never caught on..