More Bernie Mitten Inspired Knits

January 25, 2021 by Sarah White

After nearly a dozen Bernie Mitten knitting patterns popped up in a matter of days, knitters are now getting into other projects inspired by those now-iconic mitts. Lots of patterns are now available on Etsy also.

They actually have a great pattern of multicolored chevron and simple crosses that will still be fun to wear long after the memes have died down.

Let’s start with Caitlin Hunter’s Feel the Bern cropped top, which is based on her popular Soldotna Crop with the colorwork added on top. It hasn’t been knit or tested so it is available as a free pattern on Ravelry.

Feel the Bern is also the name of a hat pattern using the same colorwork designs, this one designed by Christine M. Watson. The worsted weight hat uses four colors of yarn and is available on Ravelry for $3.

The Weekend at Bernie’s Beanie is another free pattern, this one designed by Rosee Woodland. It uses aran weight yarn, is available in four sizes and has the classic colorwork designs we’ve all come to love.

Bernie’s Socks by Stone Knits include what looks like a slightly fancied up version of the mittens, with the colorwork around the leg and bottom of the foot. They are worked in fingering weight yarn and are available in three sizes. The pattern is free on Ravelry.

It seems like Bernie’s motifs have graced everything in the knitting world other than a scarf or cowl (that I’ve seen). I’m working on a cowl version right now that I hope to have released by the end of the week.

Have you started a Bernie mittens-inspired project? I’d love to hear about it!

Next Pattern:

Have you read?

Knit a Spiky Balaclava

Not too long ago my daughter and I had a discussion about what a chestnut really looks like. The nut itself is small and brown, of course, but on the tree they’re covered with this weird kind of spiky, kind of fuzzy shell. It’s a wonder anyone ever figured out they were edible.

If you didn’t know that, you might wonder why this project is call Chestnut balaclava, but now you know.

This fun design from Yevheniia Pyroh is covered with spikes just like a chestnut shell, and is even the same color, though of course you can make yours whatever color you like. It uses two strands of fingering weight yarn held together (which it says is fingering weight but you could try a light/DK yarn and see if you get gauge with it if you’d rather).

There are two different design options in the pattern. One is a more fitted balaclava style hat (it doesn’t cover the face but does go around the neck) and a looser fit hood.

It’s worked primarily in garter stitch, with shaping done by knitting and purling in the same stitch and through various decreases (including a knit 3 together).

The pattern is charted but also explained in words. It’s worked flat to the size you want, and then joined into a hood shape with ribbing at the neck. The opening for the face is finished with I-cord.

This hood/balaclava would definitely be a conversation starter and in different colors it might read more dinosaur than chestnut, which could also be fun. The sizing is totally custom so you can make it fit whatever head you’re stitching for.

If you want to try it for yourself (and I’d love to hear about it if you do!) you can download the free pattern from Ravelry.

[Photo: Yevheniia Pyroh]

Balaclava Knitting Patterns

Colorwork Balaclava Knitting Pattern [Knitting]