The Bernie Knitted Mittens Pattern {Quick Knit}

This Bernie knitted mittens pattern was inspired by those worn by Bernie Sanders at Joe Biden’s Inauguration on January 20, 2021.

You have probably seen the photos of the fair isle mittens he wore already and the memes that followed.

This is an excellent project for anyone who loves working with more than one color yarn and knitting in the round using the magic loop technique.

These mittens use four colors and are a really quick knit project, I made two in around 2-3 hours.

Scroll down for the free pattern or you can purchase a printer-friendly, ad-free PDF here.

Mitten Pattern

The super-chunky mittens are easy to make, with intermediate knitters in mind.

Using knit and purl stitches, you will create ribbing, for the cuff, knit in the round using stranded knitting (four colors) and it will also introduce you to decreasing and shaping.

The pattern and the color chart below will help you to create your mittens in no time at all, ready to wear in just a few hours!

The Yarn + Needles I Used…

I raided my yarn stash for this project and used the colors I had that were most fitting.

I made the mittens using Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick and Quick yarn in the colors Fisherman and Barley (yarn weight – super bulky/super chunky/14 ply).

I also used Lion Brand New Basic 175 in the colors Camel and Espresso, these yarns were knit with 3 strands together to make the super bulky weight.

The New Basic yarn has been discontinued, so you could substitute it with any yarn that is super bulky/super chunky/14-ply yarn.

Bernat Softee Chunky, Paintbox yarns wool mix super chunky and Rowan Big Wool all have dark brown and camel shades.

I knit them on size 10 mm (US 15) 16″ circular needles, so there was no seaming involved, just a few loose ends to sew in at the end.

You could use 9″ circulars if you wish, as using the 16″ or 20″ circulars means that you will have to use the magic loop technique.

The Bernie Knitted Mittens Pattern {Fair Isle + Quick To Knit}

Purchase the printable, ad-free pattern here.

The pattern PDf that is for sale in my shop features the pattern with the colour chart.

If you like these mittens you may also like these patterns:

• Easy Mittens Knitting Pattern
• Snow Mountain Mittens Pattern
• Fuzzy Knit Mittens Pattern

Skill Level – Intermediate

Notes

Make super chunky knitted mittens to keep your hands warm and toasty this winter!

There is a video tutorial to help you to knit the thumb of a mitten over on my YouTube channel here.

• Please do not copy, sell, redistribute or republish this pattern. 
• If you wish to share this pattern, link to the pattern page only.
• You may sell items produced using this pattern.
• Do NOT use the copyrighted photos for your product listing.
• For the copyright T&C’s please read my Terms of Use.

Size

Women’s medium

Finished measurements – laying flat and unstretched = 8 inches Circumference / 10 inches long including the cuff.

Gauge – 10 sts and 14 rounds = 4in/10cm in Stockinette stitch

The Supplies You Need…

Yarn

Needles

• Set of 10.00mm (US 15) 16″ circulars
• Or a set of 10mm (US 15) 20″ circulars.
• Please note you may need to learn the magic loop technique.

Notions

• Tape measure
• Darning needle
• Scissors
• Stitch markers
• Stitch holder

Abbreviations / Knitting Abbreviations List

• Approx – Approximately
• Beg – Begin(ning)
• CO – Cast on
• K – Knit
• K2tog – Knit next 2 stitches together
• M1 – Make one stitch
• P – Purl
• PM – Place marker
• Rem – Remaining
• Rep – Repeat
• Rnd(s) – Round(s)
• SM – Slip marker
• St(s) – Stitch(es)

Mittens Pattern (Make 2 the same)

Cuff

• Yarn A – With 10mm (US 15) 16″ circular knitting needles CO 18sts.
• PM and Join in the round – being careful not to twist sts.
• 1st round – K1, P1 to the end of the round.
• Rep 1st round – Cont to work in 1×1 ribbing for 2 inches.
• If you are working on the chart – the color chart begins here:
• (Rnd 1) Next round – *K8, M1, K1* – then rep from * to * one more time (2 sts increased= 20sts).
• (Rnds 2+3) Change to Yarn B – K 2 rounds.
• (Rnd 4) Next round – *K1 Yarn C, K2 Yarn B* Rep from * to * to the last st, K1 Yarn B.

Thumb Increase

• (Rnd 5) *K1 Yarn C, K2 Yarn B* Rep from * to * twice more (for 9 sts), PM, M1 in Yarn B, K1 in Yarn C, M1 in Yarn B, PM, *K2 Yarn B, K1 Yarn C* rep from * to * to end of the round (for 10 sts). (2 sts increases = 22sts)
• (Rnd 6) K1 Yarn C, K1 Yarn B, K3 Yarn C, K1 Yarn B, K1 Yarn C, K2 Yarn B, K3 Yarn C, K2 Yarn B, K1 Yarn C, K1 Yarn B, K3 yarn C, K1 Yarn B, K1 Yarn C, K1 Yarn B. (Slipping markers)
• (Rnd 7) In Yarn C only – K9, SM, M1, K3, M1, SM, K10. (2 sts increased = 24 sts)
• (Rnd 8) *K3 Yarn C, K1 Yarn D* rep from * to * to the end of the round. (Slipping markers)
• (Rnd 9) K1 Yarn D, K1 Yarn C, K3 Yarn D, K1 yarn C, K3 Yarn D (9sts), SM, M1 in Yarn C, K1 Yarn C, K3 Yarn D, K1 Yarn C, M1 in Yarn C, SM, K3 Yarn D, K1 yarn C, K3 Yarn D, K1 Yarn C, K2 Yarn D. (2 sts increases = 26 sts)
• (Rnd 10) In Yarn D only – K 1 round. (Slipping markers)
• (Rnd 11) K2 Yarn D, K1 Yarn A, K2 Yarn D, K1 Yarn A, K2 Yarn D, K1 Yarn A (9sts), remove the marker and place 7 sts onto a stitch holder, remove next marker, CO 1 st with Yarn D, K1 st Yarn D, K1 st Yarn A, K2 Yarn D, K1 Yarn A, K2 Yarn D, K1 Yarn A, K2 Yarn D. (20 sts)

Body

You will now work 12 rounds as follows for the body:

• (Rnd 12) *K1 Yarn D, K2 Yarn A* rep from * to * to the last st, K1 Yarn A.
• (Rnd 13) K1 round in Yarn A only.
• (Rnd 14) *K1 Yarn B, K1 Yarn A* rep from * to * to the end of the round.
• (Rnd 15) K 1 round in Yarn B only.
• (Rnd 16) K 1 round in Yarn B only.
• (Rnd 17) K1 Yarn B, K1 Yarn C, *K3 Yarn B, K1 yarn C* rep from * to last 2 sts, K2 Yarn B.
• (Rnd 18) *K3 Yarn C, K1 Yarn B* Rep from * to * to end of the round.
• (Rnd 19) K1 Yarn B, K1 Yarn C, *K3 Yarn B, K1 Yarn C* Rep from * to * to last 2 sts, K2 Yarn B.
• (Rnd 20) K 1 round in Yarn B only.
• (Rnd 21) K 1 round in Yarn B only.
• (Rnd 22) *K1 Yarn B, K1 Yarn A* rep from * to * to the end of the round.
• (Rnd 23) K 1 round in Yarn A only.

Decrease

• (Rnd 24) K2tog Yarn A, K1 Yarn A, K1 Yarn D, K3 Yarn A, K1 Yarn D, K2tog Yarn A, K2tog Yarn A, K1 Yarn D, K3 Yarn A, K1 Yarn D, K1 Yarn A, K2tog Yarn A. (16sts)
• (Rnd 25) K2tog Yarn A, K3 Yarn D, K1 Yarn A, K2tog Yarn A, K2tog Yarn A, K1 Yarn A, K3 Yarn D, K2tog Yarn A. (12 sts)
• (Rnd 26) In Yarn D only – *K2tog, K2, K2tog* rep to the end of the round. (8 sts)
• Cut yarn and leave a long tail – about 8/9 inches, weave that tail through the rem sts and pull up tight at the top of the mitten.
• Secure and weave in any loose ends.

Thumb

• Place the 7 sts on the stitch holder onto the needles.
• In Yarn D – Pick up and knit 1 st from the CO edge.
• Place a stitch marker under the picked-up stitch to mark the beg of the round.
• In Yarn D only – Knit 8 rounds.
• To decrease the thumb – *K2tog* to the end of the round.
• Cut a tail of yarn and weave through the rem sts and pull up tight to close.
• Secure and weave in any loose ends.

Finishing

• Turn the mitten inside out and use the yarn from near the picked-up stitch to close the gap near to the base of the thumb.
• Weave in any other loose ends.
• Repeat the pattern for the second mitten.

Tip

If you see that you have maybe used the wrong color stitch somewhere in the work – you can stitch over the V shape of the stitch with the correct color.

This is a quick fix so that you don’t have to pull the work out (frog) to knit again.

Color Chart

I love seeing your finished projects!

If you enjoyed making this project, I’d love to see yours on Instagram, be sure to tag me @handylittleme or hashtag #handylittleme.

If you are on Facebook, stop over to the handylittleme Facebook group and share a photo!  I’d love to see your work!

Happy Knitting! xoxo