Sanders Cowl Knitting Pattern

We have been having so much fun with all the Bernie Sanders inspired knitting patterns lately, and I could not resist adding one of my own to the mix.

The Sanders Cowl uses four colors of yarn and is worked in the round from the bottom up. I studied the infamous mittens to design the color charts, and inverted the chart at the bottom for the top so that it would be symmetrical, though the original mittens have a slightly different pattern at the top.

I made my version with random yarns I had at home that were close to the right colors, which I think Bernie would approve of. They are worsted and aran weight yarns, but you can change the yarn to change the size if you like!

In the spirit of Bernie’s passion for healthcare, I also decided to make this pattern a fundraiser for two amazing charities aimed at helping the physical and mental health of often-underserved communities: the Native Wellness Initiative and the Loveland Foundation.

If you want to stitch up something to remember the time a pair of mittens stole all our hearts, but maybe you don’t want a pair of mittens, this pattern is a great option. It’s actually really easy and a pretty quick knit, too! You’re never working with more than two colors in a round so it’s a great way to dip your toes into colorwork.

You can learn more and grab the pattern on Ravelry.

Check out these books dedicated to Knitted Cowl Patterns still looking for more cowl patterns? Check these out on Etsy.

It’s a common complaint among women and femme dressing folk that our clothes do not include enough (and enough useful) pockets. And even if your clothes do have good pockets, there’s always a chance that you’d rather have another pocket to put some essentials in rather than having to carry a whole bag.

But because we are knitters, we can take this problem into our own needles and knit ourselves some auxiliary pockets.

Beatrice Mase did just that, with a kind of fancy toolbelt pocket accessory that they call VELVET Pockets.

The stitch pattern has a plush, sort of velvet effect, thus the name, but it’s worked with regular fingering/sock weight yarn. (The sample uses wool, but you could experiment with other fibers, too.) It calls for 776 yards of 710 meters, which you might just have in your sock yarn stash.

The pattern includes several pockets of different sizes, with the main body of the pocket worked flat in one piece and the exterior pockets sewn on at the end. You also have the option of adding screw rivets and a coordinating clasp that make it look even more toolbelt chic.

The design is worked with a loop of knit fabric at the top so it can slide onto a belt. The pattern includes explanatory diagrams, photo and video tutorials and is adjustable to fit different sizes of belts.

It’s almost enough to make me want to start wearing belts again, even though I haven’t for years. Because who wouldn’t want a few extra little pockets to hold things when you don’t have enough to really justify carrying a bag around?

The pattern is available in English and French on Ravelry and you can also buy a kit complete with the yarn, rivets and clasp (the pattern is not included in the kit) direct on Etsy.

[Photo: Beatrice Mase]

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