Rachel Brown Gherkin Mittens Knitting Pattern

Rachel Brown Gherkin Mittens

Project Overview

The Gherkin Mittens by Rachel C. Brown are a pair of quick-knitting mittens inspired by London's distinctive Gherkin building. The design captures the architectural essence of the structure through twisted stitches and swirling stitch patterns, creating a visually striking pair of winter mittens. These mittens are crafted in bulky-weight yarn for warmth and cushioning, making them an ideal last-minute gift for cold winter weather protection.

Knitting Techniques

This pattern employs several key knitting techniques to achieve its distinctive appearance:

• Seamless Construction: The mittens are worked in the round, eliminating the need for seaming and creating a smooth, professional finish.
• Cable and Twisted Stitches: The primary design element features twisted stitches that create the swirling, twisting lines reminiscent of the Gherkin building's exterior. Two main twisted stitch techniques are used throughout the pattern.
• Afterthought Thumb: The pattern includes instructions for working an afterthought thumb, a technique that allows for a custom-fitted thumb opening worked after the main mitten body is complete.
• Decreases: Strategic decreases are used to shape the mitten top and create proper fit.

Stitches and Abbreviations

The pattern utilizes fundamental knitting stitches along with specialized twisted stitch variations:

• Knit (k): The basic knit stitch forms the foundation of the stockinette sections.
• Left Twist (LT): Created by slipping two stitches as if to do ssk and returning to the left needle, then knitting the second stitch through the back loop from the wrong side of the fabric while leaving it on the needle. Both stitches are then knitted through the back loop and slid off the left needle together.
• Right Twist (RT): Formed by knitting two stitches together while leaving them on the left needle, then knitting the first stitch again before sliding both stitches off the left needle.
• Purling: Used in combination with knit stitches to create texture and pattern definition.

Sizing and Finished Dimensions

The Gherkin Mittens are available in four sizes to accommodate different hand sizes:

• Size S: Total mitten length of 9.25 inches with a finished circumference of approximately 8 inches and thumb length of 2.25 inches
• Size M: Total mitten length of 10 inches with a finished circumference of approximately 9 inches and thumb length of 2.5 inches
• Size L: Total mitten length of 10.75 inches with a finished circumference of approximately 10 inches and thumb length of 2.75 inches
• Size XL: Total mitten length of 12 inches with a finished circumference of approximately 11 inches and thumb length of 3 inches

Materials and Yarn Requirements

The mittens are designed to be worked in bulky-weight yarn for quick completion and superior warmth:

• Yarn: BC Garn Semilla Grosso is the recommended yarn, with yardage requirements of 2 skeins for sizes S and M, and 3 skeins for sizes L and XL. Each skein contains 87 yards (80 meters) and weighs 50 grams. Alternatively, approximately 170 to 260 yards of heavy worsted weight or bulky yarn may be substituted.
• Needles: The pattern calls for US 4/3.5 mm needles for ribbing and US 5/3.75 mm needles for the main body, or whatever size is needed to achieve the correct gauge. Knitters may choose to use double-pointed needles (dpns) or circular needles according to personal preference.
• Gauge: 20 stitches and 28 rows per 4 inches on the larger needles in stockinette stitch.
• Additional Notions: A short length of waste yarn for the afterthought thumb, a tapestry needle for weaving in ends, and a stitch marker to indicate the start of each round.

Skill Level Requirements

This pattern is suitable for kn