Christine LeGrow & Shirley A. Scott – Saltwater Mitten Girls

Christine LeGrow and Shirley Anne Scott have always loved and treasured the traditional knitting of Atlantic Canada. Christine is a retailer with many years experience in the field at many levels. She is presently the owner of Sprindrift Handknits, a St. John’s, Newfoundland based business with a popular product line for all ages. She is also a talented photographer. Shirley Scott, also known as Shirl the Purl, is a retired librarian who loves to write about and praise traditional knitting. In her early years she wrote Canada Knits, a book on the history of knitting in Canada, an accomplishment that opened many doors.

Together with their publisher Boulder Books they have created an award-winning series of Saltwater knitting books: Saltwater Mittens, Saltwater Classics, Saltwater Gifts, and Saltwater Socks (Fall 2022). These dearly loved volumes feature fashion forward versions of the warm outdoor clothing that has kept Canadians warm for centuries. They also tell much about life on our far-off wave-lapped island. Christine and Shirley live to knit in St. John’s, Newfoundland.

When you’ve knit all your favourite Saltwater projects a time or two you’re not done yet. There are lots of ways to change the look a little or a lot, without a huge learning curve. By analyzing actual samples we will explore options for re-sizing garments for different ages and shapes. Learn how to alter the style of mittens by adding or subtracting trigger fingers, making wristers from mittens, modifying wrist patterns and the bands at the top of socks, and much much more. See how adding colours in lovely unexpected ways and even changing stitch patterns from horizontal to vertical can create exciting new looks while the method of construction stays the same. You’ll get enough new ideas from this session to keep you busy and engaged for a long time to come!