Bernie Sanders Meme and his Crotched Doll
The viral Bernie Sanders meme inspired Tobey Time Crochet to create a handmade crochet doll.
Getty Images/eBay
  • A “Bernie’s Mittens” crochet doll from Tobey Time Crochet delighted people online over the weekend.
  • The original doll is now being sold on eBay and 100% of the proceeds will go to Meals on Wheels. 
  • It’s based on the iconic Bernie Sanders meme that emerged on Inauguration Day.
  • Visit Insider’s homepage for more stories.

Bernie Sanders emerged as the fashion icon no one expected (but we all desperately needed) on Inauguration Day. 

While the style world gushed over Michelle Obama’s plum-covered suit and Vice President Kamala Harris’ monochromatic shift dress, Sanders unexpectedly stole the show with his very modest, and completely on-brand, attire.

Photographer Brendan Smialowski snapped the instantly-iconic photo of the Vermont senator, who wore his beloved Burton jacket and a pair of patterned handmade mittens while sitting cross-legged at the Capitol.

The moment quickly went viral and sparked a flurry of memes that took the internet by storm over the weekend.

A post shared by Tobey Perales King (@tobeytimecrochet)

 

The meme became so popular that a Texas woman designed the "Bernie's Mittens Crochet Doll" - complete with little mittens and a face mask - and shared it online. 

"I couldn't wait to share with you what I've been working on today!" read the caption from Tobey Time Crochet, a company and Etsy shop owned by Tobey King of Corpus Christi, Texas. "I already had a Bernie Sanders pattern that I wrote a year ago and now I'm editing it to include the jacket and mittens!"

The doll, created out of acrylic and cotton yarn, is nine inches tall with arms and legs for posing. 

King didn't immediately respond to a request for comment from Insider.

People online instantly fell in love with the Bernie Sanders doll

Tobey Time Crochet first shared the Bernie's Mittens Crochet Doll on Facebook one day after the inauguration. Already, photos of the crochet doll have amassed more than 83,000 likes and 226,000 shares.

"This is the most amazing thing I've seen since it actually happened! I think you should make one and send it to him," one Facebook user wrote. 

"Absolutely brilliant! We need to make this and everybody can stage their own crochet 'Bernie sits' on landmarks worldwide," another person said. 

Someone else wrote, "The talent and creativity of people sometimes blow me away! This is so wonderful!"

A commenter called King an "amazing artist," adding "you managed to capture his essence in knitted wool. WOW! Respect!"

Many commenters said they were inspired by the crochet doll and were encouraged to try the DIY craft. 

"I don't crochet, but if you release a knitting pattern for this I could dive right in," a person wrote. 

And others wanted to purchase a doll for themselves and their loved ones. 

"How do I get one of these? My grandmother would love this way more than you know," a user said. 

The crochet doll's pattern was shared on Tobey Time Crochet's Etsy shop, where more than 31,000 people have already downloaded it for $5. Buyers shared photos of their own Bernie dolls made with the pattern in the reviews section. 

Bernie's Mittens crochet doll review photos
Photos of the "Bernie's Mittens" crochet dolls people have made using Tobey Time Crochet's pattern.
Tobey Time Crochet/Etsy

A bidding war has erupted on eBay to purchase the original, now-collectible doll 

On Saturday, Tobey Time Crochet announced that her original Bernie's Mittens Crochet Doll would be sold on eBay, with 100% of the proceeds going towards Meals on Wheels. 

As of the time of writing, the collectible doll has gotten 149 bids and the current bidding price is a whopping $15,500. Bidding, which started at just 99 cents, closes on Tuesday, January 26 at 2:56 PM EST. 

A post shared by Tobey Perales King (@tobeytimecrochet)

 

A Meals on Wheels America representative told Insider via email statement: "Senator Sanders has long been one of Meals on Wheels' biggest advocates, and it's incredible to see how his unexpected moment in the spotlight is inspiring others to join the fight to address senior hunger and isolation, as well."

"Amid the pandemic, the demand for Meals on Wheels has skyrocketed as more vulnerable older adults find themselves homebound and in need of this vital lifeline. The awareness for our cause is needed now more than ever, and on behalf of the entire nationwide network, we greatly appreciate the support," they added.

Following Inauguration Day, Sanders began selling a $45 sweatshirt that featured the meme on his website, with 100% of proceeds also going towards Meals on Wheels Vermont. Supplies quickly sold out and currently aren't available for purchase. 

Sanders' much-loved Inauguration Day mittens were designed by Jen Ellis, a Vermont teacher who made the mittens from old wool sweaters and recycled plastic bottles and gifted them to Sanders years ago. Ellis revealed on Sunday that the mittens were sold out after the national fanfare. 

The Burton jacket Sanders wore that day has also sold out. 

Read the original article on Insider