Little Bay Islands Mittens Kit with Pattern

Little Bay Islands is a resettled outport community, nestled around a picturesque harbour, on a small island off the northeast coast of Newfoundland. The designer of these gorgeous mittens had the privilege of touring the community and island with a group of avid knitters during COCO's Grand Opening in October 2022. She writes that after walking along the abandoned roads, ducked into empty structures, and saw what was left behind when the last provincial ferry left the wharf in 2019, she was left inspired.

The boat-less wharves, the fish-less flakes, and empty lobster and crab pots left wharf side represent a former time of abundance and way of life. Today, the island has two permanent residents, who occasionally host seasonal residents and tour groups.

This pattern pays tribute to the residents of Little Bay Islands, to a life and a place that once was, and to the knitting tradition of Newfoundland and Labrador.

The colourway is inspired by the Mermaid of the island and its surroundings; Turquoise for the expansive sea and the livelihood it provided, Yellow for the changing season of Fall and Green Meadow for Spring, for the return of all things living and life.

Carolynn Sheu is a high school Art Teacher who lives and teaches in Ottawa, Ontario. Her love of knitting started at a young age when she was taught by her Grandmother. During COVID, she came across the Saltwater Mittens Facebook group and was intrigued by the tradition of Newfoundland & Labrador knitting. Giving the patters a try, her colourful knits caught the eye of Shirley Anne Scott; co-author with Christine LeGrow of the Saltwater Knitting Books and asked her to be a test knitter for their last book.

Three of her knits are featured in the book.  Carolynn continues to knit and explore the word of fibres through various traditional crafts while incorporating textiles into her own art making practices.

When her needles are at rest, she busies herself in the garden, foraging for mushrooms and enjoys adventures along with misadventures when in the kitchen.