the mittens were knit by latvians as 'souveniers' of the Nato summit (i want to be a diplomate and get one of these mittens!)

the chief difference between men's and woman's mittens is size. (all pattern are acceptable for either sex/gender)

missing is the most traditional design, the crossed swords as it is known in Latvia, but known to most of us as the swaztica. because this symbol is still so closely associated with the Nazi power of Germany, its become a bit taboo to knit.

(some did a count, over 9000 pairs of mittens were made and distributed!)

my other obsession