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The Bernie Knitted Mittens Pattern {Quick Knit}

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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.

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Bernie knitted mittens in four colours

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!

wool mittens

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.

Yarn basket and knitted mittens
warmest mittens

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:

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

Notions

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)
Knitted mittens with the intarsia technique

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)
Bernie mittens

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

Bernie Mittens symbols chart 3

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

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16 Comments

  1. I bought the Bernie Mittens pattern. Fyi: The Lion Brand New Basic Espresso and Camel yarns are both discontinued. What would I use instead? Please let me know. Thank you.

    Emilee

    1. Hello Emilee,
      You could substitute those two colours with another two colours that are similar in the same yarn weight.
      Bernat Softee Chunky, Paintbox yarns wool mix super chunky and Rowan Big Wool all have dark browns and camel shades.
      Any super bulky/super chunky/14 ply yarn can be used.
      I hope that helps!
      Louise

  2. Love this pattern!! i just need help on the thumb!! It’s just not making sense to me. I’m stuck. I’m sure I’m making it harder than it is, but I’m hung up on it and I can’t get it figured out. I have the 7 stitches on my needles…..then I need help. Do you have a video tutorial on this? Thank you so much!

    1. Hello Kylie,
      Sorry, I don’t have a video for that – it is something I will add to my to-do list.
      If you have the 7sts on your needles, divide them 4 on one and 3 on the other, and then pick up and knit 1 st from the co edge.
      Next – you can place a stitch marker at the start of the round and continue on from there.
      You have to use the magic loop because there are only a few stitches.
      I hope that helps!
      Louise

    1. Hello Deb,
      No sorry, I don’t have a video to help with this pattern, I made it quickly over about 3 days, that I didn’t have time to get any videos ready.
      Perhaps you could research into stranded knitting as a technique and see if that can help you?
      Louise

  3. I need to close the gap by my thumb, however it is a loose mess. What can I do, what did I do? I can send a picture? Let me know where. Help!

    1. Hello Deb,
      It sounds like you need to put in a couple of stitches at the base of the thumb to close the gap there.
      If you have loose ends from the colour changes around the base of the thumb, pull them and weave them in securely, so that the stitches on the right side of the work look neat.
      I hope that helps!
      Louise

    1. Hello Linda,
      To size up for a man, you could try casting on an extra 2 or 4 sts but you would have to work out the colour pattern from there, possibly make the thumb wider and longer and adjust the decreases.
      So it would need some working out!
      Let me know how it goes,
      Louise

  4. Please if you can help me out. I just started knitting this mitten and so far it is going well. But I am wondering if I knit both mittens the same for the right and left hand. I am almost done the first mitten. If you would please advise. Thank you.

    Donna

    1. Hello Donna,
      Yes, both mittens are knit the same.
      When you wear them there is no difference, they look the same front and back.
      I hope that helps!
      Louise