DIY mittens for cold weather fatbiking

[Bjorn]

I have written a blog post about my recent sewing project - beaver mittens and seat covers.

Read more here: http://www.mjolnirofbjorn.com/blog/

[jehsohn]

Yo Bjorn,

 Those are awesome!! I've always wanted a pair. Do you have any other tips, pointers or advice about making some of my own? Thanks,

J

[Bjorn]

Jehsohn- thank you. Like I said in the post, I had my original pair of Yupik Eskimo mittens to look at for patterning but this was my first attempt at building fur mittens from scratch.
http://explore-build-do.blogspot.com/2012/04/handmade-beaver-mittens-supplies-1.html
The pattern on this blog is slightly different from mine but they are both basically following the same concept.
I had originally intended to photograph each step and really lay it out but I was also filming video to be used in our film about our upcoming adventure to the arctic. There were just too many tasks going on so I focused on sewing and more video.  
Blog post about our trip: http://www.mjolnirofbjorn.com/adventure/

Thanks again and may your hands be warm in the new year.

-Bjørn

[jehsohn]

Thanks for the info Bjorn. Your blog is very cool. Looks like fun exciting adventures up there.
J

[sean salach]

Bjorn, have you thought about attaching the tether in a way that the gloves would hang opening-down when not being worn, in order to keep falling or blowing snow out? Or will they flatten out such that the fur will be enough to keep it out?

[Bjorn]

Sean, that's an interesting idea. I have never seen it employed so I have no clear idea how it would work but I think the main drawback would be that the tether would have to be so long that it would become annoying. I have had very little trouble with snow getting into the mitten because as you say, when they are hanging the opening lays flat. However, if a little snow does get in I just turn it upside down and bang it out. Usually when it is super cold the snow does not melt inside and it shakes free. We both use vapor barrier knee high socks in our winter biking footwear but I have not, so far, used vbl gloves. It may be a good idea for some but for me, my hands are typically ovens and I imagine they would be grossly wet within the vbl. Instead, I just regulate layers and try to keep my hands from overheating. When everything is working as it should, the little snow that gets in stays frozen and does not cause a problem, so far.

I am really excited to be using the Titanium Goat wood stove this winter, as it will greatly improve evaporation of damp, frozen and wet clothing and sleeping bags. Moisture is inevitable and I really like the idea of not depending on reliance of having to head indoors to address damp gear. It's all theory at this point though.

Let me know if you try the tether on the tip of mittens. I would be curious if it works.

Happy new year. Hope you are getting good biking/skiing in.

-Bjørn

[asatrur]

Very cool. I also love the name of your site. Can I ask what was the reasoning behind the name?

[Bjorn]

asatrur- thank you. Mjölnir in the name of Thor's hammer. I have attached my own significance to Mjölnir and if you really want to know, I think of my camera as my Mjölnir - hence, Mjölnir-of-Bjørn.

[asatrur]

Very cool. Nothing was attached as far as I could tell. I know that Mjölnir is Thunar's hammer, as I am an Asatrur or follow of Thor and others.
In Frith,
Asatrur

[Hadfield]

Nice beaver mitts. I've got to build a pair for winter riding next year. Well done.

[stephjo]

I've been contemplating a beaver seat cover... I might just have to do that now.

[Bjorn]

I can't recommend the seat cover enough. Mine held up fairly well on our 1,100 mile trip to the arctic last winter/spring.
http://www.groundtruthtrekking.org/blog/?p=3344