The local public library in my new town is HUGE — I got a library card and immediately went to the knitting section too see if I could find the books some of you recommended that I check out after my last post (when I asked about double knitting). The books suggested were not there, but I found this:
It’s a very large and heavy book written pretty recently, and it does indeed have a little section about double knitting — turns out the recommended way to cast on for double knitting is the tubular cast on, which is also good for k1p1 ribbing. Yay answers!
The book, however, did not have a section on thrumming, which I learned about the other day and REALLY want to try. I’d never heard of it, so I’m going to take the chance that some of you might not know and explain what it is. Thrumming is when you work short pieces of wool into the stitches of a knitted object, such as a mitten or a hat, so that the loose ends are on the inside and provide ultimate insulation. They usually make some sort of dotted pattern on the surface, and you don’t have to tie them off or anything because the loose wool fibers entwine on the inside and keep everything in place. Click here for a photo example of thrummed mittens on the inside, and for a tutorial on how to do it.
Thrummed mittens would be completely unnecessary here in South Carolina (unless I decided to camp on a mountain with no fire for days on end), but I might make some anyway just for the fun of it. If I don’t end up doing that, I’ll eventually try to make a similar pair of mittens to the ones pictured above (the pattern looks like a good one for a first pair). You can apparently even use the thrumming technique with crochet! Have any of you tried thrumming before? If so, what was your experience with it?
My day did not start off well — I woke up late for something important, which was very embarrassing and did not at all look good. Then I got my first allergy shots at my new clinic here in town. After that was the library trip, which made the day better, then dinner at Panera Bread (it’s one of the few restaurants that’s not awkward when you go alone). Once I’d been home for a little bit, some Mormons came knocking door to door to talk about their beliefs, and I didn’t want to be rude so I talked to them for a while (even though I’m not interested in becoming a Mormon). They were nice but it was a little weird.
Well, that’s all for right now. I’m off to browse through Ravelry and maybe start a knitted hat for a Christmas present. See you next time!
not your average crochet 
Never heard of thrumming before but those mitts are so lovely and they look very warm. I need some!
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Me too! It actually is below freezing temperatures outside right now so I might have to make some soon after all!
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I have that knitting book and would be completely lost without it! It pretty much covers everything else you can imagine though 🙂 Those Mittens look really nice. I was actually going to do a review on my blog about the book
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That would be really cool, you totally should!
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Glad you are out exploring your new town. I imagine it can be pretty daunting discovering all these new places, out and about on your own. A library can be a great place to loose yourself for a few hours. And nice and warm I hope.
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It is indeed! Very… Exposed. All of the walls are glass but it’s cool to look out over the city!
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Mormons. Hmmm, there’s something about people coming right up to my front door and trying to push their stuff into my face that gets me riled up. A friend of mine, on answering his door and being told that they’d like to talk to him about Jesus, replied, “Oh no, what’s he done this time?!”
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Hahaha I should have said something clever like that! I was too nice and I fear a return visit!
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Yay for thrumming!!! I have 2 thrummed slippers under my belt now… and I want to do much more of it! Working with the roving even inspired me to learn to spin! And those mittens are definitely going on my to-do list. 🙂
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Ooooo I bet your slippers are nice and cozy! I can see how it would make you want to learn how to spin — I’m interested myself!
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I always enjoy your blog and reading today’s post about the Mormon missionaries visiting you caught my eye since I myself am a Mormon, (or more officially a member of “The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints”). Reading your post and the subsequent comments made me chuckle just a bit because my own 3 sons have served missions for our church, in San Francisco, CA, Portland, Oregon and Guadalajara, Mexico and have themselves gone knocking on doors spreading the message of Jesus Christ. They do have some stories to tell about their experiences! I’m sure your kindness to those missionaries was much appreciated. It seems that for the most part, people are kind hearted where ever you go! My best to you and Happy Crocheting!!
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