The mittens that launched 1000 memes overnight and this Vermont Mittens Free Crochet Pattern - all Inspired By Bernie Sanders at 2021 Inauguration. The Vermont Love Mittens Free Crochet Pattern is my own take on these fun Mittens.

Learn more about the original Mittens made by Jen Ellis here.

I so love when we have a community spark to our creativity. Check out these other fun projects to crochet that are inspired by the Sen. Bernie Sanders’ mittens.

Tobey Time Crochet’s Bernie’s Mittens Crochet Doll Pattern
Sweater Mittens Sewing Pattern from Fox and Pine Stitches
Bernie Sanders Doll Amigurumi pattern by Fiona Dolls

Truly - the Vermont Love Mittens Free Crochet Pattern is also a GREAT stash-busting pattern and you can use any color combo that you like or have on hand. Save this pattern for holidays and you can make it for the whole family in lots of colors.

I want to take a minute to state very clearly that this pattern is merely my artistic interpretation inspired by the amazing cozy mitts Senator Bernie Sanders was seen wearing at the Biden/Harris inauguration. Sen. Sanders mittens were gifted to him and made by Jen Ellis, a Vermont resident. Neither the Vermont Mittens Free Crochet Pattern or myself (or this blog) are affiliated with or endorsed by Sen. Sanders or Ms. Ellis. This is not a copy or replica of the original design or mittens. It is an artistic interpretation.

Materials
Worsted Weight Yarn
Color A: Black
Color B: Camel Brown
Color C: Beige
Color D: Ecru
Crochet Hook Sizes H-8 5mm & I-9 / 5.5 mm
Or hook to obtain gauge and desired size
Tapestry needle to weave ends
Tape Measure

Stitches Used / Abbreviations:
fsc – foundation single crochet
ch – chain loop
sc – single crochet
scbl – single crochet back loop
st – stitch
sk – skip
Splsc = split single crochet ** see stitch detail in pattern notes
slpsc2tog -  split single crochet 2 together decrease

PATTERN STITCH:
SPLSC – Split Single Crochet. This is also often called Waistcoat Stitch. To create this you work sc between ‘legs’ of the sc when you insert your hook (splitting the sc stitch) instead of through top loops.

PATTERN NOTES:

The cuff is worked in rows then joined together. Using your smaller hook.
You can use the larger hook for a slightly larger cuff.
The body of the mitten is worked in the round with joined rounds.

Each round of the body begins with a ch 1 and ends with a sl st.
Neither of these count as a “stitch” – they are merely for construction

You will keep the unused color as strands in the back (inside) the body of the mitten.

Gauge for this pattern is not essential. What matters most is a fabric that fits.
The best way to create bigger mittens is to go up a hook size.
I actually went up 2 hooks sizes from my initial attempt in this design until I got a fit I liked.  

The Split Single Crochet /Waistcoat Stitch creates a thick, not very stretchy fabric. Perfect for mittens. But without much stretch, go up a hook size if you think it seems “small”. 

This is best worked using Intarsia Crochet and creating bobbins of your colors

CUFFS 

BEGIN WITH COLOR A / USING 5mm HOOK

Row 1: fsc x10, ch 1, Turn.
***for a longer or “fold over cuff do a longer fsc. I suggest fsc 24 for a fold-over style***
Row 2: 10 scbl across, ch 1 turn.
Rows 3 – 28: Repeat row 2
After Row 28, Sl st to top of initial fsc from first row, then 10 sl across to attach the band to become a cuff

DO NOT CUT YARN  // Turn to now work the body 

Round 1:  ch 1 (does NOT act as a st), 28 sc around Sl st to join.

Fasten off Color A.

CONTINUE BODY WITH COLOR B / USING 5.5 mm HOOK

Round 2: ch 1 (does NOT act as a st), *2 sc in next st, sc in next 6 sts *; repeat * to * around. Sl st to join. Total 32 sts

Rounds 3 - 11:  ch 1 (does NOT act as a st), slpsc around in accordance with color chart, Sl st to first splsc join. Total 32 sts 

CREATE THUMB HOLE

Round 12: fsc x 5 (for a larger thumb-hole fsc 7), sk 5 (7) sts,  slpsc in next st, slpsc around, Sl st to first fsc to join. 

BODY CONTINUED:

Rounds 13 - 34: ch 1 (does NOT act as a st), slpsc around in accordance with color chart, Sl st to first splsc join. Total 32 sts *** for longer mittens, add rounds here before going to decrease rounds ***

Round 35: ch 1 (does NOT act as a st), *slpsc2tog, slpsc in next 2 sts *; repeat * to*  around, Sl st to first splsc join. Total 24 sts

Round 36: ch 1 (does NOT act as a st), *slpsc2tog, slpsc in next 2 sts *; repeat * to*  around, Sl st to first splsc join. Total 12 sts

Fasten off leaving 6 inch tail

Using the tail, weave in to the open bottom of the mitten and pull tight like a drawstring to close.

THUMB: REJOIN COLOR B

Rounds 1 - 12: ch 1 (does NOT act as a st), slpsc around and do NOT join after each round, work in continuous rounds for the thumb.

Total 12 (15) sts sts

Fasten off leaving 2 inch tail

Using the tail, weave in to the open tip of the thumb and pull tight like a drawstring to close.