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Everyone who has tried these on, or even just stuck a hand inside, has let out an involuntary sigh. With a thick, soft cushion of insulating fibre on the sole and around the cuffs they’re the key to instantly warm toes. The secret is thrumming, a traditional technique used to create super warm mittens in chilly Newfoundland and Labrador. Every few stitches a wee bit of unspun fibre is worked into a stitch creating a fun pattern on the outside. The loose ends create a thick, fluffy layer on the inside just like a sheepskin. We like using bright thrums against a neutral background but there are endless options to use up stash and play with colours. With ten sizes covering little kids to big guys you’ll be able to keep everyone’s toes cozy.

YARN
Sturdy, chunky wool yarn, not superwash. Chunky is a broad category – look for yarns with a suggested gauge of 13-14 sts to 4” /10cm

Shown in New Lanark Chunky (100% wool, 132 yds / 121m, 3.53oz / 100g) in Limestone

115[125, 140,155](170, 190, 210)[230, 250, 275]yds / 105[115, 125, 140](155, 175, 190)[210, 230, 255]m

FIBRE
Between 1 and 4oz / 30 and 115g fibre for thrums. The exact amount required will depend on the fibre used and the amount in each thrum so it’s difficult to give a more precise quantity. Use a non-superwash wool that feels nice and soft to you. It’s important not to use a superwash fibre because you want the sole to felt into a nice even lining over time. Superwash fibres won’t felt together and could fall out. Merino, BFL and Shetland are all ideal and easy to find. It’s easier to make the thrums from combed top but carded batts or roving will give a lovely fluffy effect once you manage to separate somewhat even pieces!

NEEDLES
Size 7 US / 4.5mm dpns or long circular for preferred method of working small circumferences in the rnd. The sole is worked back and forth, if using dpns use just 2 needles.

SIZING
Sizes a[b, c, d](e, f, g)h, i, j
To fit feet up to 6¼[6¾, 7½, 8¼](8¾, 9½, 10¼)[10¾, 11½, 12¼]” / 1517, 19, 20.54, 25.5)[27, 29, 30.5]cm in length and approx 2½[2½, 2½, 3](3, 3½, 3½,)[4, 4, 4¾]” / 6.5[6.5, 6.5, 7.5](7.5, 9, 9)[10.5, 10.5, 11.5] cm in width

HELPFUL LINKS
Technique Thursday…Thrums