The purpose of these mittens is to memorialize the number of American killed in Iraq at the time the mittens are made. Since the number escalates daily, each mitten has a different number and date. Seen together, the pair of mittens show a span of time and the increase in killed soldiers over that time.

Mittens are an ideal form for this project, since the difference between the left and the right hand explores the relationship between time and the escalation of dead Americans. Any garment that can be knitted can be knitted with charted numbers! Try it on hats.

For current numbers of American and coalition soldiers killed, see icasualties.org or the Department of Defense website.

Supplies:

• 2 skeins Lamb’s Pride worsted in contrasting colors
• worsted weight waste yarn in a third color for trim (optional)
• 1 set double pointed needles, US#2 (for very dense mittens)
• tapestry needle for weaving in ends