By Conway Crew Jan 21, 2021 Although Wednesday's inauguration came after a volatile election and featured the swearing-in of the country's first female vice president, the country's collective attention appeared to be on former presidential hopeful Bernie Sanders. Or, more specifically, Bernie Sanders' mittens. Sanders, who braved the 40-degree temperature wearing an oversized pair of brown-and-cream mittens, quickly became the star of countless memes -- all posted by people who marveled at the Vermont senator's choice of winter accessories. One Twitter user commented, "Bernie dressed like the inauguration is on his to do list today but ain’t his whole day." It turns out there's a story behind the mittens. After seeing Sanders wearing the gloves, Vermont teacher Jen Ellis revealed she made them for the senator from recycled wool she took from old sweaters and lined them with fleece made from recycled plastic.