New mitten patterns from Newfoundland knitting pros
The knitting pros that found success last year with mitten patterns based on traditional Newfoundland styles have followed that up with a new line, in an effort to preserve and popularize the designs.
Christine LeGrow and Shirley 'Shirl the Purl' Scott are the talented team behind the new Smiling Land Mittens series, released in St. John's in early May.
"There haven't been any really good patterns for Newfoundland mittens before myself and Christine starting writing these. They're hardly ever written down, except for scraps of paper at home, and most knitters knit them up out of their heads," said Scott.
"We kind of felt that they would last a little longer if we got them down in writing. We're trying to work for history."
Smiling Land features four new patterns that add to that posterity, including a trigger mitt sized specifically for children.
"People are always asking for those, even though the youngsters lose them in five minutes," laughed Scott.
Inspired by tradition
The two mix tradition with their own inspiration for the colourful and intricate mitts, as in the men's pattern 'Stars of Logy Bay.'
"I like the stars in it, because I always think about how fishermen and mariners used to use the stars to guide them home," said LeGrow.
"I just thought it was a nice, inspirational way to knit a pair of men's gloves."
The two have also riffed on the pink, white and green Newfoundland tricolour flag, as well as a wavy, ocean-like pattern.
"I was taking the plane from Halifax, and all the sea ice was down below me. It was a beautiful sunny day and I could just see blue, blue water and white ice, and that's why I knit that one," said Scott, of her pattern 'Wild Waves.'
Far flung success
The duo's first set of traditionally-inspired patterns, released last spring, found world-wide success, much to the knitters' surprise.
"They're sent all over the world — we have no idea why!" laughed Scott, who has mailed patterns to Europe, the U.S. and every province in Canada, at a cost of $24 for a set of four.
They're sent all over the world - we have no idea why!- Shirley Scott
While some people are just avid knitters in search of a new, interesting pattern, LeGrow said many have a connection to this province.
"Hundreds of people that are from Newfoundland, or their parents are from Newfoundland, wanted a hard copy of patterns that we put in the mail with a stamp and sent them snail mail," she said.
"It was all people wanting to knit a little bit of home."
The pair's last patterns were featured in the popular Vogue Knitting magazine, but the knitters are relaxed about any sophomore success.
"Heaven only knows. Wherever those patterns go now, wherever it takes us, that's where we're willing to go," said LeGrow.
The Smiling Land patterns are for sale at select stores in St. John's, and by request through ChristineLeGrow@nl.rogers.com.
With files from Heather Barrett