The Great Wall of Mittens

As Canadians, mittens are near and dear to our hearts, and a basic, unromantic part of our heritage. We may have memories of a favourite pair from childhood, perhaps a pair that Grandma made, or a pair that were stuffed so full of thrums that your hands were always toasty and warm, or maybe idiot strings that eventually became a bit of an embarrassment!

This week at Little Red Mitten we are celebrating mittens. In the spirit of competition, more than 20 mitts hang in the shop awaiting your vote ...and there are some real masterpieces!!!

We hope you'll drop in, appreciate the talents of our local knitters and be inspired.

Prizes will be awarded Monday, February 28.

A Mittenful of Trivia:

• The oldest mitten ever found (in Latvia) is believed to have been made 1000 years ago.
• A man might choose a wife based on her mitten-knitting skills.
• "A bride would not cross the threshold to her new home until she had laid down a pair of mittens."
• Mittens were an important part of Latvian wedding ceremonies. Between 100 and 200 pairs were necessary to fill a hope chest and ensure a happy marriage. Every pair had to be a different design or the bride would become a laughing stock.
• In the summer, mittens were attached to a waistband as an adornment.

Trivia from Latvian Mittens by Lizbeth Upitis and photos by Tamara David.