We’re a little obsessed with our new yarn from Gum Tree Farms. Honestly, every time I walk past it, I need to pet the lanolin drenched goodness. The natural undyed colors offer a pallet of three beautiful neutrals, and I’ve been wracking my brain on how I can put them all together. Maybe because it’s January. Maybe because it’s an election year. Or maybe just because it was cold and rainy outside this weekend – I thought of Bernie Sanders. That’s right. The infamous beloved curmudgeon of a Senator. WHY? – I can hear the question resonate as I type this. Probably not for any of the reasons you’re thinking. In 2021 the esteemed Mr. Sanders went viral for his mittens. That’s right, the whole knitting world went ga ga for Bernie’s mittens and patterns to replicate their cozy design were immediately born. And I’m feeling a bit of nostalgia for a nice, cozy, neutral set of fair isle mittens. And maybe a cowl. And I might need a new sweater while I’m at it. Maybe.
Not to be left out of the 2021 zeitgeist, I myself immediately cast on my Feel the Bern sweater, which is to this day one of my favorite knits designed by Caitlin Hunter. If you’ve seen me around the shop on the weekends I start wearing it as soon as the weather turns crisp enough. Well, despite what I thought was a great pairing of plum and purple with neutrals at the time, I’ve always longed to make a true neutral version of the design – and what better yarn to use than the 100% natural (and local!) wool by Gum Tree. While all the original designs include 4 colors (including the infamous mittens on Bernie’s hands themselves), the Gum Tree pallet only comes in three colors. Either I will make a simple swap (making the pattern repeat only 3 colors) or maybe I’ll find a skein of Spincycle Dream State to add a splash of color. Regardless of what I end up deciding, I see a cozy mitten/cowl combo in my future. And, maybe a new sweater too. Pattern details below! (Note: For those of you reading along who aren’t local, Stone Wool Cormo would make an excellent substitute for the Gum Tree.)
Feel the Bern
Size
1 (2, 3, 4, 5, 6) {7, 8, 9, 10) Finished circumference at bust: 32 (36, 40, 44, 48, 52) {56, 60, 64, 68}” [81.5 (91.5, 101.5, 112, 122, 132) {142, 152.5, 162.5, 172.5) cm]
Yarn
C1 (dark brown): 2 (2, 2, 2, 2, 3) {3, 3, 3, 3} skeins
C2 (medium brown): 2 (3, 3, 3, 3, 4) {4, 4, 4, 5} skeins
C3 (Dream State): 1 (1, 1, 1, 1, 1) {1, 1, 1, 1} skeins
C4 (cream): 1 (1, 1, 1, 1, 1) {1, 1, 1, 1} skeins
Needles
Other
stitch markers, tapestry needle for weaving.
Gauge
18 stitches and 26 rows = 4 inches in colorwork
Vermont’s Finest
Size
One Size
Yarn
C1 (dark brown): 1 skein
C2 (medium brown): 1 skein
C3 (Dream State): 1 skein
C4 (cream): 1 skein
Needles
Other
stitch markers, tapestry needle for weaving.
Gauge
18 stitches over 4”
Bernie’s [Mittens] Cowl
Size
One Size
Yarn
C1 (dark brown): 1 skein
C2 (medium brown): 1 skein
C3 (Dream State): 1 skein
C4 (cream): 1 skein
Needles
Note: the original cowl is written for DK, but Gum Tree is a flexible gauge and we think it will work fine. If you feel the resulting fabric is too dense, go up a needle size
Other
stitch markers, tapestry needle for weaving.
Gauge
28 stitches and 28 rows over 4”
