Sept 16, 2009: Mittens

xoxoxoBruce · 09-16-2009, 12:31 AM

Mittens... Latvian mittens... Latvian NATO mittens.

Quote:

What will 9,000 hands have in common during the NATO Summit in Riga this November? 4,500 pairs of traditional hand-made Latvians mittens!

That’s what the NATO Summit Latvia Task Force is preparing for Summit guests. The mittens are being specially knitted by hundreds of women and men around the country ranging in age from 30 to 86. At least half of the mittens have already been produced, turning 190 kilos of Latvian wool into 2,250 pairs of traditional mittens steeped in Latvian folklore, customs and beliefs.

What a unique gift, a pair of mittens unlike the other 4,499 pair.

Quote:

Each pair features a unique design, utilizing a wide variety of traditional colors, patterns and symbols. For Latvians, mittens are much more than a way to warm your hands. Every ethnographic Latvian mitten tells a story, marks an anniversary and represents a specific region in Latvia. Some mitten designs are specially intended for weddings or other special events. There is even a rich tradition of folkloric etiquette associated with the wearing, storing and displaying of mittens.
While most Latvians will not be able to attend the NATO summit, you could say that hundreds will have a hand in making the NATO guests feel at home. Many of the knitters are producing an average of three pairs for the Summit, although many, excited by the prospect of sharing their traditional skill with the world, are eager to produce more*. For most Latvians, this project is a special source of national pride, because it combines tradition, culture and history with something of lasting practical value that will be enjoyed around the world.

*Well, give those people my address.

link

link

ZenGum · 09-16-2009, 01:14 AM

What a purl of an idea. It'll keep them in stitches. But how will they operate their mobile phones?

Sheldonrs · 09-16-2009, 09:41 AM

No glove; no love.

DanaC · 09-16-2009, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZenGum

What a purl of an idea. It'll keep them in stitches. But how will they operate their mobile phones?

They'll be far too busy pulling hot trays of cakes from the oven to answer calls.

wolf · 09-16-2009, 10:34 AM

It would be cool to have a pattern for those, but I don't know if my meager knitting skills would be up to it. I've never done multicolor pattern work.

newtimer · 09-16-2009, 10:46 AM

"...traditional mittens steeped in Latvian folklore..."

I don't remember ever seeing Latvia making mittens. Maybe Simka made them while Latvia was busy working in the garage.

xoxoxoBruce · 09-16-2009, 12:12 PM

That's Latka, not Latvia, in the garage.

Sheldonrs · 09-16-2009, 01:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xoxoxoBruce

That's Latka, not Latvia, in the garage.

I thought that was potato pancakes.

Gravdigr · 09-16-2009, 03:22 PM

No doubt they're a close-knit group...

Clodfobble · 09-16-2009, 03:40 PM

This thread is incomplete without some kittens.

Wombat · 09-16-2009, 08:29 PM

Quote:

Each pair features a unique design

I can see three the same:

bottom row right-hand side, red background with yellow hexagon pattern and pairs of black dots
Three rows above this one, the same pattern again.
5 rows above that one and slightly to the right, the same pattern again.

monster · 09-16-2009, 10:05 PM

they might be different on the inside

wolf · 09-16-2009, 10:06 PM

Even if the patterns appear identical, you always screw something up somewhere along the way, making each one unique.

boodoggy · 09-17-2009, 12:12 AM

Lots of stitches. The knitters have apparently been told not to use the swastika on the mittens. Delegates will also be given honey. I wouldn't want to risk a jar of honey in my luggage, and liquids are frowned upon as carryon items. Hmmm... http://www.metro.co.uk/weird/article...4&in_page_id=2

xoxoxoBruce · 09-17-2009, 12:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wombat

I can see three the same:

bottom row right-hand side, red background with yellow hexagon pattern and pairs of black dots
Three rows above this one, the same pattern again.
5 rows above that one and slightly to the right, the same pattern again.

But you can't see the whole mitten.

Quote:

Originally Posted by boodoggy

Lots of stitches. The knitters have apparently been told not to use the swastika on the mittens. Delegates will also be given honey. I wouldn't want to risk a jar of honey in my luggage, and liquids are frowned upon as carryon items. Hmmm... http://www.metro.co.uk/weird/article...4&in_page_id=2

Carry on? This in NATO, they all come in bombers.

09-16-2009, 01:14 AM	#2
ZenGum Doctor Wtf Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Badelaide, Baustralia Posts: 12,861	What a purl of an idea. It'll keep them in stitches. But how will they operate their mobile phones? __________________ Shut up and hug. MoreThanPretty, Nov 5, 2008. Just because I'm nominally polite, does not make me a pussy. Sundae Girl.

09-16-2009, 09:41 AM	#3
Sheldonrs Master Dwellar Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 4,412	No glove; no love. __________________ Laugh and the world laughs with you; cry and the world laughs AT you.

09-16-2009, 10:34 AM	#5
wolf lobber of scimitars Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Phila Burbs Posts: 20,774	It would be cool to have a pattern for those, but I don't know if my meager knitting skills would be up to it. I've never done multicolor pattern work. __________________ wolf eht htiw og "Conspiracies are the norm, not the exception." --G. Edward Griffin The Creature from Jekyll Island High Priestess of the Church of the Whale Penis

09-16-2009, 12:12 PM	#7
xoxoxoBruce The future is unwritten Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 71,105	That's Latka, not Latvia, in the garage. __________________ The descent of man ~ Nixon, Friedman, Reagan, Trump.

09-16-2009, 03:22 PM	#9
Gravdigr The Un-Tuckian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: South Central...KY that is Posts: 39,517	No doubt they're a close-knit group... __________________ These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA, EPA, FBI, DEA, CDC, or FDIC. These statements are not intended to diagnose, cause, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. If you feel you have been harmed/offended by, or, disagree with any of the above statements or images, please feel free to fuck right off.

09-16-2009, 10:46 AM	#6
newtimer Operations Operative Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 479	"...traditional mittens steeped in Latvian folklore..." I don't remember ever seeing Latvia making mittens. Maybe Simka made them while Latvia was busy working in the garage.

09-16-2009, 03:40 PM	#10
Clodfobble UNDER CONDITIONAL MITIGATION Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 20,012	This thread is incomplete without some kittens. __________________ My book My other book My spirit animal

09-16-2009, 10:05 PM	#12
monster I hear them call the tide Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Perpetual Chaos Posts: 30,852	they might be different on the inside __________________ The most difficult thing is the decision to act, the rest is merely tenacity Amelia Earhart

09-16-2009, 10:06 PM	#13
wolf lobber of scimitars Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Phila Burbs Posts: 20,774	Even if the patterns appear identical, you always screw something up somewhere along the way, making each one unique. __________________ wolf eht htiw og "Conspiracies are the norm, not the exception." --G. Edward Griffin The Creature from Jekyll Island High Priestess of the Church of the Whale Penis

09-17-2009, 12:12 AM	#14
boodoggy Non-Newbie Sort Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 6	Pointy mittens Lots of stitches. The knitters have apparently been told not to use the swastika on the mittens. Delegates will also be given honey. I wouldn't want to risk a jar of honey in my luggage, and liquids are frowned upon as carryon items. Hmmm... http://www.metro.co.uk/weird/article...4&in_page_id=2

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes	Rate This Thread
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode	Rate This Thread: