Hi everyone,

Does anybody knows where I could find these types of mitts? Apparently buffalo wool mitts are warm down to -40 and duffel mitts are also very warm as they are not knitted. Campmor used to have Dachstein boiled wool mitts in medium size but they have none now.

Thanks
Frankie

I've found some stores in Europe that carry them. 16 pounds seems to be the going rate on the British sites. You probably don't have to pay the Value Added Tax that is added into the price of all (most?) goods. Of course you could get hit with a small customs fee too.

Please let us know if you find a source that you had a good experience with, plus let us know how the mitts are.

I would try a trapper's supply store or an Indian art store from a remore area like Yellowknife, Inuvik, Iqaluit or Whitehorse

Hmm, I think that I recall that Eastern Mountain Sports also used to have boiled wool mittens.

Not much help, just my brain rambling on.....

Frankie, www.ragweedforge.com If you look at Ragnar's page of links you will find Judy Kavanagh who makes custom muclucks.She is canadian and can probably help you find someone. Are the dachsteins gone from Campmor forever? These were a seasonable item and a steal for the price. I almost bought a Dachstein sweater in the mid 80s and even then choked at the $ 300 price!

The Dachstein boiled wool mitts are listed at: www.cndoscotland.com/paramo/mitts.asp

Quiviut-"buffalo wool" is warm, but not so much warmer than wool that you need to go to great lengths to find it. Alpaca and Llama are also warmer than wool, and readily available in North America.

The mitts almost certainly are knitted, it's just that they are then "felted." (another term for boiled wool - which may or may not involve "boiling"). It draws in, shrinks and "mats" the fiber, making a very dense and warm fabric. Anyone who has ever accidentally put a wool sweater or socks in the washing machine will be familiar with the process.

In your area there are likely quite a number of craftspeople who have spinning wheels, spin their own yarn, and know how to felt clothing items - a somewhat simple process. You might want to check into it, support your local fiber farmers and artists, and maybe save a few bucks as well.

I have been a handspinner for about 10 years now, and have made yarn out of everything from sheep's wool to Alpaca and Llama and even dog and long-haired cat fur! I have done some felting, and NO, I'm not interested in taking orders! It's strictly a fun hobby for me.

Thanks for the info. Actually Qiviut is the Musk Ox wool. I have found this: http://www.isn.net/~minimill/store/

I may contact them. I'm really curious to try exotic bison wool mitts and other products. But of course I have in mind of using them as insulation under leather outer mitts which really break the wind and offer a good protection.

Hi Chris, I have found her website: http://jumaka.com/moccasins/index.html I may contact her.

I don't know if Campmor stopped selling them but they have been absent from their website for a couple of months now. I may contact them too...

Frankie

I have found http://www.americanbuffaloproducts.com/products/products_fashion.php

but the price is not right, at $140 for a pair of one size fits all knitted mitts...

Frankie