Limberlost

Limberlost Mittens by Melissa Schaschwary

What Is Being Made

Limberlost is a pair of warm and whimsical knitted mittens designed to keep hands toasty during outdoor activities like apple picking, writing, or everyday wear. These are small, fitted mittens available in two sizes: S/M with a palm circumference of 7 inches, and M/L with a palm circumference of 8 inches. The mittens feature a decorative cuffed opening and are constructed using a combination of knit and purl stitches with cable techniques for visual interest and texture.

Craft and Techniques

Limberlost mittens are created using the knitting craft. The pattern employs several intermediate-level knitting techniques to achieve its distinctive appearance and structure. Slipped stitches are used throughout to create a textured surface, with both wyib (with yarn in back) and wyif (with yarn in front) methods controlling yarn placement for clean, defined stitch definition. Cable techniques are incorporated into the cuff design, where stitches are dropped and manipulated off the needle to create twisted, interlocking cable effects. These techniques require careful attention to stitch placement and the ability to work with a cable needle to temporarily hold stitches while crossing them over one another.

Stitches Used

The pattern utilizes fundamental knitting stitches combined in strategic ways:

• Knit stitch (K) – the primary building block of the fabric
• Purl stitch (P) – creates reverse texture and is used in alternating patterns with knit stitches
• Slipped stitches (sl) – stitches passed from one needle to another without working them, used to create texture and prepare for cable crossings
• Cable stitches – created by dropping slipped stitches off the needle to the front of the work, working subsequent stitches, then picking up the dropped stitch and knitting it, creating a twisted, interlocking effect

The cuff pattern alternates between knit and purl sections in a repeating sequence, with slipped stitches and cable manipulations creating a decorative, textured band that frames the opening of the mittens.

Materials and Tools

Limberlost mittens are worked in DK weight yarn, specifically using 75 yards of Malabrigo Yarn Silky Merino for the complete pair. The yarn choice provides warmth and a soft, luxurious feel against the skin. Knitting needles required are US size 6 (4.0mm) for the S/M size, or US size 7 (4.5mm) for the M/L size, allowing the knitter to adjust sizing by changing needle gauge. A cable needle is essential for executing the cable techniques in the cuff pattern. A darning needle is needed for weaving in yarn ends after completion. The pattern is worked to a gauge of 24 stitches and 32 rows over 4 inches (10cm) in pattern, which is critical for achieving the correct finished dimensions.

Difficulty Level

This pattern is rated as intermediate difficulty. While the basic stitches—knit, purl, and slipped stitches—are fundamental, the combination of these techniques and the cable manipulations require a knitter with some experience. The ability to confidently work slipped stitches with yarn control, manage stitches on a cable needle, and execute cable crossings by dropping and retrieving stitches makes this project suitable for knitters who have completed several basic projects and are ready to expand their technical skills.