gloves

[George]

When I first started doing my version of reenacting I was very surprised and pleased to find the clothes I made did a much better job than I expected. They were comfortable, warm and easy to use. Except for the hands. Finding HC gloves that kept my hands warm was a problem which was tough to solve. I finally did it by getting my goodwife to teach me knitting, and made my own. I had seen ads such as this, and decided that might be a good combination.

The South-Carolina Gazette
November 26, 1750
CHARLES-TOWN
Just imported in the Charming Nancy , Capt. White from London”¦. worsted and mill'd caps, mens mittens and muffatees, worsted knit breeches, womens evetlasting and leather shoes,

Diary of Ezra Tilden, 1779-81, Continental soldier:
"..... a pr of Leather Breeches, a pr of mittens, a pr of muffittees, 2 pr of Stockings, a pr of shoes & taps..."

I knew what mittens were, but not muffatees. Turns out they are fingerless tube gloves, commonly worn when fingers are needed for work in cold weather. I knitted these:



If I don't need fingers and it's moderately cold, it's mittens only:



When I need fingers, it's muffatees only:



If it's wicked cold, both, and the outer mitten can be slipped off in a second when the buck shows up:



It's a very effective way to keep my hands warm in any temperature I'm likely to be out in, and an easy to use, comfortable system. Those old boys knew stuff.

Spence

 

[Tallswife]

Really nice work! Beautiful!

There is also a pattern for flip top mittens. Not sure they would be HC/PC though.
flip top mittens

They do come in handy for hunting! I wear muffatees in the winter almost all the time, inside and out. My hands get cold easily and they really help.

Congratulations on taking up knitting. Now you need to learn to spin your own yarn!! :rotf:

 

[Artificer]

Spence,

I am quite impressed you learned to knit these items.

One question that has to do with cold wind affecting your muffatees, is it a very tight weave to overcome that or is the answer just to put the mittens on over them?

Back in the 70's, I made a pair of long buckskin mitten gauntlets to be worn over my wool mittens/gloves when it got very windy cold in Indiana. However, I found that those gauntlets were too much in all the but very coldest of days.

Gus

 

[George]

I have had a pair of modern flip-top mittens of heavy woven wool, and they work well as hunting gloves.

The simple knitting I did was several years ago, I'm sure I would be able to neither knit nor purl, these days. I've known a couple of really serious knitters, and was always fascinated to watch them knit and carry on animated conversations at the same time, apparently paying no attention to their knitting, doing very complicated patterns on auto-pilot. It's a very neat skill.

The main interest of my reenacting is to experience what the old folks did. I've learned a little bit of a lot of different skills they would have had, just to get an inkling of what their life was like. Knitting is an example of that, and these projects worked well in that way. A lot more work than just saying 'give me a pair of those in size 8, please'. But much more satisfying.

Spence

 

[jrmflintlock]

Do you know where I might get a pattern for Muffatees. I don't Know how to knit but I know several people who do and would love a pair.

I have been using fingerless wool gloves and I do not think they are HC/PC.

Thanks for the info!!

 

[MSW]

nice looking work ... I never could learn to knit, darn it!

 

[Tallswife]

Do you know where I might get a pattern for Muffatees. I don't Know how to knit but I know several people who do and would love a pair.

I have been using fingerless wool gloves and I do not think they are HC/PC.

Thanks for the info!!

muffatees for men

another pair of muffatees

gentleman's muffatees
Ravelry.com has 37 patterns

 

[coloradoclyde]

Fabulous!.....now if I could only learn to knit. :haha:

 

[Tallswife]

Fabulous!.....now if I could only learn to knit. :haha:

It's not really hard, I bet you could learn! If your close by me I can teach you. Guessing by your name you might be?

 

[jrmflintlock]

Awesome!! Thanks!!

I used to be! I was in Taos, New Mexico for many years. Now we live in northern Nevada!

We would love to live in Colorado but just can't seem to make it happen. Maybe someday!

Thanks again!

 

[Tallswife]

Your very welcome. You might just want to come for a visit. The legal climate, taxes, and cost of living pretty much kill the ability to live here well. We are moving when hubby retires to more fertile acres as it were!

 

[BrownBear]

If it's wicked cold, both, and the outer mitten can be slipped off in a second when the buck shows up.... It's a very effective way to keep my hands warm in any temperature I'm likely to be out in, and an easy to use, comfortable system. Those old boys knew stuff.

Amen. Never run across the term "muffatees," but 40 years hunting in Alaska has sure taught me the value of the combo with mittens. Priceless for warmth, while high utility in the field.

Hats off for learning to knit! :hatsoff:

 

[Crewdawg445]

:applause:

I must say these are splendid, I much enjoy mine! One thing I hate is cold hands and fingers... Nothing kills the day IMO than frozen digits.

 

[Cruzatte]

I never knew they were called "muffatees" either. I keep a pair in my winter bag along with my toque.

 

[pab1]

Very nice work! :hatsoff:

I've picked up a couple books on knitting and have some wool yarn but have not tried to learn how yet. I mailed my mother some of the wool yarn and she knitted few voyager style hats for me.