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