January Quickies: Anothozoa Mittens
Anothozoa
Somehow in the rush of the end of the year, I missed the opportunity to share these delightful fingerless mitts with you all! Anothozoa, designed by Jordan Prouty and knit in just one skein of Malabrigo Sock. These mitts would be equally as stunning in a skein of our new Ultimate Sock yarn as well. If you need a special something for a loved one that is knit-worthy, you could work these up over the weekend.
This pattern features an intertwined, cable pattern over the front that easily grows in and out of the ribbed edges. The mitts are worked up in the round, moving from the cuff to the hand, either using magic loop or on a circular needle of a smaller circumference.
Jordan has been designing knit patterns since 2017. She spends most of her time with her husband and four kids in Michigan but enjoys traveling the country with her crew in their camper. Jordan took the time to share a little bit about her design journey and the creation of this pattern and I’m happy to be able to share it with you all!
1: What is your favorite part of your Quickies design and why?
The cables are definitely the centerpiece of this design, and one of my favorite details is to have the ribbing grow into the pattern of the piece. For Anthozoa, this meant adjusting the cuff ribbing so the stitches could flow right into the intertwined cables. It’s a small detail, but it always really pleases me!
2: What should knitters pay attention to when working this pattern? Do you have any tips or tricks that will make knitting this pattern easier?
This is a fairly straightforward pattern, especially if you have experience knitting cables. Even if not, these cables are not overly complicated. Just make sure you keep track of which way your cables are crossing!
3: What do you think knitters will enjoy the most about this project?
Cables! The most enjoyable part of this knit, to me, is the cables. They are easy 4 stitch cables, so they are fun and simple to knit, yet they create a beautiful, intricate design.
4: What does your design process look like?
Each design is quite unique. Sometimes I begin with the yarn, and design something specifically to highlight its colors and characteristics. Other times, I will choose to design a certain type of knitwear, and then pick the textures and yarn that feel best for that item. But most often, I will get inspiration from something in creation, or come up with a certain motif, and build the design around it. Anthozoa was a case of building the design around a specific element. I had an idea for flowing, intertwined cables, and the design just grew up around that vision.
5: What impact does the color of this project have on you? Did you make design choices based on the color way name?
I absolutely adore the color of this project! I love blues of all shades, and Under the Sea is one of my favorites. The name of the colorway got me to look in the ocean for the name of this pattern: Anthozoa is the class of animals that includes sea anemones; the cables made me think of their graceful, flowing tentacles.
6: What is the one thing you wish people knew about you as a designer?
The most thrilling part of designing, for me, is seeing others make my designs. It’s such an honor to have a knitter choose to spend their time making something I designed. Every single finished object brings me joy!
You can find the pattern for Anthozoa on Ravelry here: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/anthozoa-3
Be sure to follow Jordan on IG @bluepointknits so you don’t miss out on any new releases!