This is not a collection of traditional ethnic mittens. It is a collection of inspired-bys. As such, I found it disappointing but useful. Canada is represented here by Cowichan-sweater-inspired mittens as Ireland is represented by Aran-jersey-inspired mittens and the Channel Islands by gansey-inspired mittens. I can't speak to Ireland or Jersey, but the author really ignores a strong Canadian knitting tradition that makes real mittens in patterns that draw from several sources in favour of folk-mittens-that-never-were (failing, however, to give instructions for the traditional Cowichan method of colourwork which she briefly describes), and in my opinion does her topic a disservice. Nor does she present any pictures of her inspirations -- I would have dearly loved to see the Colonial New England mittens with knit-in text, which she claims actually existed -- and the lack impoverishes the book. It certainly doesn't approach the level of excellence achieved by Folk Socks, the companion volume by Nancy Bush. Still an interesting source of patterns and inspiration, but in my opinion better titled "Folk-Like Mittens". ( )