Is Wild and Woolly starting a side hustle in background noises? Why are you writing about thrumming?
No, this isn’t about thrumming as in the humming sound that engines make. This is thrumming as a way of adding an extra layer of unspun wool to the insides of knitted things to make them warmer.
Hmm. Are you sure about that? It’s sounds a bit like a thing you’ve just made up to sound heritage-ish and old school. Surely I should have come across it already in one of the 487 projects I’ve got in my queue.
Well let’s just say it’s kind of niche. But as we all know, what’s niche today, can easily be normal tomorrow. Take top-down seamless sweater knitting for instance.
That’s completely different! Obviously seamless sweater knitting makes more sense. It was always just a matter a time before separate-pieces-knitters would clock onto that.
Wait till you hear how thrumming works. I’m telling you. This time next year.. or maybe in 2034.. it’s going to be all the rage. And then you’ll be all cool and nonchalant and like “yeah, I’ve been thrumming for years now – it’s just a much warmer way of knitting’.
Ok, you’ve got 5 minutes to convince me that I’m interested in thrumming.
You’re on. The history and benefits of Thrumming in 5 minutes. But you mustn’t interrupt me.
Ouch! That’s harsh!
So it’s a way of knitting whisps of unspun wool into your knitting to create an extra layer of warmth on the wrong side
You already told me that!
No Interruptions I said! As well as the warm bit on the inside thrumming also creates a cool pattern on the right side. The technique originates with the “Thrums” or short lengths of waste yarn left over after woven cloth was cut off the loom, which resourceful people in cold countries in the olden days, used to stuff into pillows and mittens and things. But it wasn’t until the ingenious folk of the extremely cold province of Newfoundland and Labrador in Canada took it to the next level, that we got to today’s thrumming. That’s where roving or unpun sheep’s wool gets knitted into hats, slippers and mittens in a way that adds pattern and warmth all at the same time.
As Interweave’s T Mclaughlin says, “Basically you’re making a sheepskin for the inside of your mittens.”
Ok, if this means I can knit a pair of mittens that will keep my hands properly warm on the bike ride to work in the morning, and my feet warm in my slippers, I’m on board. I can’t believe I’m saying this, but please will you tell me how to thrum.
Sorry my 5 minutes is up, but lucky for you, Wendy Peterson is doing a thrumming class on 1 December where everyone is going to get to knit and thrum a pair of mini mittens.
Oh my goodness that is too exciting – we’re going to make those delicious mittens?
Yes and they use all the same techniques you need for full sized ones – and perfect timing for the cute decorating season. Plus she’s also creating a kit for full sized mittens with instructions about how to thrum.
How do I book?