It’s been eleven years… Eleven years since I made myself a pair of wool mittens. Today, we were to celebrate Tess’ upcoming birthday, and I made her a pair. I had such fun, I think I’ll make me another pair!
They are made by laying bits of wool roving down along a plastic resist cut an inch larger than my hand. Excess wool is pulled over to the other side, where another layer is added, wetted, soaped, massaged a bit, then turned over to do another layer.
Bubble wrap helps in the felting process. Hot water and soap and more rubbing…
Changing the direction of the roving helps strengthen the mittens. I only put together four layers. The rubbing/ felting process begins in earnest. More soap. Water as hot as you can stand and rubbing and rubbing.
With the final layer, I added some pink roving for trim. One mitten felted fine, the second the trim didn’t felt to the mitten, so I had to sew it on. That added time to the process. But probably close to five hours of work later…
They will be large on Tess, but she can either wear thin gloves underneath, or she can continue to felt them down, shrinking them. While not made for every outdoor chore, you don’t want hay chaff in them, they’re particularly sweet for when you’re not moving much because they are warm!
Carol, you never cease to amaze me! I saw the picture and thought you’d knitted them and wondered how they could be so thick. Warm mittens for a cold day! Happy Birthday, Tess!
A practical and thoughtful gift for a ranch girl!
They look super warm and cosy.
What a labor of Love!