October Quickies: Ansh Cowl
I was thrilled to see Kavitha’s cowl design submission and I was even more excited to see the final product because it turned out even more stunning than I imagined! I think that no matter where you live once those magic words “Sweater Weather” are activated there is an intense urgency to knit everything in sight. Even if that means you have half-bits of projects hanging off all your needles……. But Kavitha’s design, Ansh Cowl, eliminates that problem because it is knit in Dos Tierras (a DK weight yarn), making it a quick knit, and a neat construction that the pattern easily helps the knitter navigate. I love that it’s a faster knit, meaning I can make on in just about every color of Dos Tierras before the knitting season ends, and I’ll have a match for just about any wardrobe combination I put together!
Kavitha turned to her love of knitting and crochet after leaving her corporate career so that she could focus on her family. Designing provided a way to explore various fibers, crating techniques, all while also keeping those math skills sharp! Kavitha also enjoys reading, sketching, long walks, and making wholesome home-cooked meals.
Kavitha shared a little bit about the Ansh cowl, the design process, and some helpful hints about working this pattern”
1: What is your favorite part of your design and why?
I love the fact that Ansh only uses the foundational stitches - knits, purls and yarnovers. One of the things that amazes me about knitting is how much potential is there in just a few basic stitches and techniques. It doesn’t always have to be an advanced level project to pique your interest and bring some joy. So, every now and then I like to design something with as minimal techniques as possible but pack a lot of fun into it.
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?
My suggestion would be to read the schematic & construction section and mentally walk through the construction once before casting on. After you get that big picture, the individual sections are quite simple to follow. Lastly, block your project according to the schematic and then do the seaming.
3: What do you think knitters will enjoy the most about this project?
The transformation that happens when the flat-knit piece is seamed (a very small seam), IMO is a very satisfying moment in the project. When the project is still flat, it hardly looks like a wearable item. :)
4: Are there any applicable tutorials or videos relevant to your design?
Under the “SPECIAL TECHNIQUES” section in the pattern, I have given links and written instructions to my favorite bind-off and seaming methods. But, please feel free to use your preferred methods.
The same section has instructions for the stitch pattern without the increases and decreases. You can use this if you want to make a gauge swatch or simply practice the stitches before actually starting the project.
5: Was there any particular inspiration you had when creating this piece?
The idea for Ansh came from the dilemma I have around shawls and cowls. I love designing and wearing shawls and how cozy they are. But the truth is shawls always don’t remain elegantly draped on me as I go about my day (: I had to come up with an easy-to-wear cowl that has a pointy tip as if wearing a shawl and has some lacey diagonal lines in its fabric. Malabrigo’s prompt for “small, fun yet challenging” came at the right time for me to solidify this idea into a real design.
6: What is something you wish people knew about you as a designer?
How much they have helped me evolve in my journey as a designer. There are people who trusted me with their knitting time - even when I had nothing much to my credit.
I am ever so grateful and will always be eager to learn/share from every knitter I come across.
You can find more of Kavitha’s work in the following places:
IG: @craftdoodling
Facebook Group: The Knitting People
Ravelry ID: craftdoodling
Website: https://craftdoodling.com