KNIT // thrummed mittens

Ah the thrummed mitten. A magical invention from the cold and devastatingly beautiful province of Newfoundland. I once owned a pair. They were mismatched - one grey and one blue, both with cream colored thrums. They were the warmest mittens I have ever worn.

As it has been one of the coldest and snowiest winters we've had in some time, I decided it was time to make the man who frequently shovels, waters the plants and drives me places the warmest mittens EVER.

We've had a large amount of colorful roving hanging around since the brief felting extravaganza of '13. I stumbled upon this pin and was inspired by the uniquely colorful thrums. From bright orange to teal and pretty fuchsia, these mittens have it all! I used a 100% grey wool (from this darling shop) for the base color. I tried to make each thrum about 1.5" long and about the width of the wool (when twisted). The most difficult part of the endeavor was trying to keep thrums consistent in size.

Ready to learn how to thrum?

First, insert your needle into the stitch below the stitch you are thrumming. Twist and wrap your roving around the right needle and pull it through the bottom stitch as if you were knitting.

Next, insert your right needle into the back of the current stitch and knit. Now you should see your newly knitted stitch next to your roving on the right hand needle.

Now, insert your left needle into the front of the roving stitch and pull it over the knitted stitch. 

Pull the roving a little tighter and continue to knit until it's time to thrum again. I love how they look like perfectly knitted V's!

If you're confused - this video is a life saver.

See my interpretation of the pattern below:

Supplies
worsted weight 100% wool
US 7 DPNs
wool roving
darning needles
scrap yarn (for slipping thumb stitches onto)

CO 33 stitches evenly distributed among 3 needles
join in the round - be careful not to twist!

Section I: Cuff
K2, P1 rib for approximately 3"

Section I: Body
K one round
*K2, thrum* until end of round
K next four rounds
*thrum, K2* until end of round

Section II: Thumb
K next two rounds (your mitten should be approximately 4" long from the beginning)
K2, slip 9 stitches onto a piece of scrap thread using your darning needle, CO 9 new stitches using a backwards loop cast on method (this video will show you how in the first 2 minutes)
continue to knit until end of round

Section III: Body
K next round
*K1, thrum, K1* until end of round
K next four rounds
*K2, thrum* until end of round
K next four rounds
*thrum, K2* until end of round
K next four rounds
repeat bolded section until mitten is 9 1/2" from beginning

Section IV: Decrease
*K5, K2tog* until end of round
K
*K4, K2tog* until end of round
K
*K3, K2tog* until end of round
K
*K2, K2tog* until end of round
K
*K2tog* until end of round
break yarn and thread through what should be approximately 7 stitches using your darning needle. Pull tightly and pull end through the inside of the mitten.

Section V: Thumb
distribute your yarn evenly among the 9 thumb stitches.
K joining in the round
*K2, thrum* until end of round
K next to rounds
repeat bolded section until thumb is approximately 2" from base
*K, K2tog* until end of round
K next round
break yarn and thread through remaining stitches using your darning needle.

Now repeat the ENTIRE pattern again! I'm still new to pattern writing, so if you have any questions don't hesitate to drop me an email at grace.macneil0@gmail.com.

Happy thrumming!