Bernie’s Handknit Mittens are knit in the round using worsted weight yarn. The mittens are inspired by the ones worn Bernie Sanders at the 2021 Presidential Inauguration. (Jen Ellis, a Vermont teacher, sewed the iconic Bernie Sanders’ mittens from recycled sweaters and fleece made from recyled materials). The color work motif was designed to be friendly to knitters who are new to colorwork: only 2 different colors are ever used at one time and a repetitive pattern is easy to memorize. The palm side of the mittens was also designed with new-to-colorwork knitters in mind: a simple alternating color pattern is quick to knit and allows you to practice your colorwork technique.

Proceeds from the sale of this pattern have been donated to Meals on Wheels and the Atlanta Community Food Bank.

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Four sizes are included in the pattern. There is a separate chart for each size.

SIZE
1 (2, 3, 4)
Finished Measurements after blocking (to be worn with 1.25-1.5 in. / 3 – 4 cm of positive ease):
Circumference: approximately
8.3 (9, 9.75, 10.4) in / 21 (23, 25, 26) cm
Length: approximately 9.75 (9.75, 9.75, 10) in / 25 (25, 25, 25.4) cm

GAUGE
23 stitches and 33 rows = 4 in / 10 cm measured over pattern after blocking.

NEEDLES
US Size 5 (3.75 mm) needles: 32 inch /81 cm circular needles for Magic Loop used for body of mittens
US Size 5 (3.75 mm) Double Pointed Needles for thumbs.

YARN
Brooklyn Tweed Shelter, Worsted Weight Yarn, American Targhee-Columbia Wool, 140 yards per skein.

Sample knit with the following colorways:

Main Color (MC): Nest - approximately 40 (44, 47, 52) yds / 37 (40, 43, 47) m
Contrast Color 1 (CC1) – Fossil – approximately 24 (26, 28, 30) yds / 22 ( 24, 26, 28) m
Contrast Color 2 (CC2) – Hayloft – approximately 20 (22, 24, 25) yds / 19 (20, 22, 23) m
Contrast Color 3 (CC3) – Cast Iron – approximately 12 (13, 14, 15) yds / 11 (12, 13, 14) m

NOTIONS
Scissors, Tapetry Needle, two 12 inch lengths of waste yarn in a contrast color and same weight as MC to hold thumb stitches.
Optional: Row Counter