The Bernie Sanders Mittens Pattern (Quick Knit)

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

You have probably seen the photos of the Fair Isle mittens he wore already and the Bernie 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 to view the free pattern, or purchase a printer-friendly, ad-free PDF here.

Mitten Pattern

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

Using the knit stitch 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 was 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 knitted 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

Purchase the printable, ad-free pattern here.

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

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

• Easy Mittens Knitting Pattern
• Snow Mountain Mittens Pattern
• Fuzzy Knit Mittens Pattern (Soft + Cozy)

Skill Level – Intermediate

Notes

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

This free knitting pattern is a really quick knit project, you can use colors that are close to the original pattern or, choose your own choices from your yarn stash.

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

Copyright Info

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

Size Information

Adult medium

Finished measurements – laying flat and unstretched =

• 8 inches Circumference.
• 10 inches long, including the cuff.

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

The Supplies You Need…

Yarn

• Yarn A – Dark Brown – 1 Skein of Lion Brand New Basic 175 (126) Espresso
• Yarn B – Camel – 1 Skein of Lion Brand New Basic 175 (124) Camel
• Yarn C – Fisherman – 1 skein of Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick and Quick.
• Yarn D – Barley – 1 skein of Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick and Quick.
• You don’t need a full skein of each color – 50-70g of each will be enough.
• Super bulky weight (06)/Super chunky/14-ply yarn.
• The New Basic yarn (Yarns A + B) was knit with 3 strands together to make the yarn super bulky weight.
• Yarn weight guide

Needle Size

• Set of 10.00 mm (US 15) 16″ circulars
• Or a set of 10 mm (US 15) 20″ circulars.
• Please note you may need to learn the magic loop technique. (View tutorial – Magic loop knitting | step by step)

Notions

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

Abbreviations

Knitting Abbreviations And Terms (US And UK)

• Approx – Approximately
• Beg – Begin(ning)
• CO – Cast on
• K – Knit
• K2tog – Knit the next two 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)

Bernie’s Mittens Pattern Instructions

(Make 2 the same)

Cuff

• Yarn A – With 10 mm (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.

Finishing

• Turn the mitten inside out and use the yarn from near the picked-up stitch to close the gap near 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

Should You Knit Stranded Knitting In The Round Inside Out?

Knitting stranded colorwork (also known as Fair Isle knitting) in the round inside out is a technique known as “purl-side out” or “wrong side out” knitting.

While it’s not the traditional method, some knitters find it helpful or more comfortable to knit stranded colorwork in this manner.

The reason some knitters prefer to work stranded colorwork inside out is that it allows them to keep the main color (usually the background color) facing them at all times.

This can make it easier to manage the tension of the yarns and to ensure that the floats (strands of yarn) between color changes are neither too tight nor too loose.

However, it’s worth noting that knitting stranded colorwork inside out may require some adjustment to your usual knitting techniques and may feel a bit awkward at first, especially if you’re used to working in the traditional manner.

Additionally, patterns written for stranded colorwork typically assume that you’re knitting the right side out, so you may need to adapt the pattern instructions accordingly.

Ultimately, whether you choose to knit stranded colorwork inside out or right side out depends on your personal preference and what feels most comfortable and intuitive to you as a knitter.

Experiment with both methods to see which one works best for you and helps you achieve the results you desire in your colorwork projects.

What Mittens Did Bernie Sanders Wear?

Bernie Sanders, an American politician, became the subject of widespread attention during the 2021 presidential inauguration when he was photographed sitting cross-legged, wearing a parka and a pair of handmade mittens.

The mittens were a notable part of his attire, and they quickly became a meme on social media.

The mittens were handmade by Jen Ellis, a Vermont schoolteacher and craftsperson.

She made the mittens from repurposed wool sweaters and lined them with fleece made from recycled plastic bottles.

The mittens were characterized by their unique design, which featured a patterned exterior with a variety of colors and a distinctive, cozy look.

The popularity of Bernie Sanders’ mittens led to widespread interest in Jen Ellis’ work and the story behind the mittens’ creation.

The mittens’ unexpected prominence also sparked conversations about sustainable fashion and the importance of supporting local artisans and crafters.

Share Your Work With Us…

I love seeing your finished projects on social media.

If you enjoyed making Bernie’s iconic mittens, I’d love to see yours on Instagram, be sure to tag me @handylittleme or #handylittleme.

If you are on Facebook, stop over to the handylittleme Facebook group and share a photo. 

I’d love to see your work.

You can also find me on Ravelry, Etsy, and Pinterest.

Happy knitting!