January Quickies: Sweetheart Mittens
I cannot believe we are already three weeks into 2023; how about you? That means it is time for our first Quickies pattern of the new year, and this pair of mitts is just the perfect way to start the year! Not only do they provide a needed pop of color in a very dreary season, depending on where you live, but the heart cables are just the extra touch, and they could be the perfect gift for your sweetheart in the coming month. First, you need one skein of Rios (may I suggest Fuscia, like the pattern sample is knit? I think it’s truly the perfect color for this pattern!).
Kel is a pattern designer from Manitoba, Canada, and we are thrilled to share a little bit more about this design and the design process used to create this month’s Quickies pattern.
1: What is your favorite part of your Quickies design and why?
My favorite part of this design is the way each heart cable flows into the next! Also, I love them way this creates a seamless look between repeats.
2: What should knitters pay attention to when working the pattern? Do you have any tips or tricks to make knitting this pattern easier?
When it comes to the Sweetheart Mitten pattern my number one piece of advice is to look over your work frequently. The sooner you catch a missed or incorrect cable, the easier it will be to fix it. In addition, if you learn to read your work you will be able to predict the next cable without having to memorize the abbreviations or continuously refer back to the stitch explanations.
3: What do you think knitters will enjoy the most about this project?
I think that the most enjoyable part of this project is learning that cables can be used in many modern and unconventional ways! There are so many more possibilities than a basic braid or twist (even though I love those too)!
4: What does your design process look like?
When I start to design, I first come up with a few core terms that embody what I have in mind. Terms like “flanking cables”, “double cuff” “honeycombs” are perfect examples of a simple idea that can start to define what the finished project will look like. Once I have my core terms, I break out the graph paper and start to work with the numbers, seeing how many stitches I would need to make this design work. From there I choose an appropriate yarn weight and needle size and get to knitting!
5: Was there any particular inspiration you had when creating this piece?
For this piece I really wanted something that could brighten up those dreary winter mornings and make braving the cold just a little more enjoyable. Both the pattern and the color of these mittens never fail to energize me when I’m struggling to get myself outside.
6: What impact does the color of this project have on you? Did you make design choices based on the colorway name?
The color of this project really reflects everything I set out to accomplish with this pattern. It’s bold, it’s bright, and its unapologetically fun!
7: What is the one thing you wish people knew about you as a designer?
I wish people knew just how much their support means to me! Knitting is my passion and when others show that they resonate with that it really means the world.
You can find the Sweetheart Mittens pattern here on Raverly
Be sure to follow Kel on IG: @kelpknits so that you don’t miss out on new patterns or upcoming designs.