Introducing: Knitting designer MONA ZILLAH

Mona Zillah designs beautiful shawls that work perfectly with Wolle’s yarns. Here is an interview with Mona in which she talks about the design process and her inspirations.

Tell us a bit about yourself

Mona holding a selection of Wolle’s Cotton Yarn

I have a background in science and art. I studied leaf-cutter ants for a number of years, which was fascinating. I also worked as a graphic artist and in a costume shop for theatre. After learning to sew, I began designing costumes and participated in a few fashion shows.

How and when did you start designing?

I began designing patterns for handknitting in 2013. My family had just moved, and I began meeting people who knitted and crocheted. I knitted my first mystery shawl and it was such fun I decided to try my hand at designing. My first design was a pair of mittens with the Eiffel Tower on them.

How do you get your ideas? What inspires you?

I am interested in a multitude of things and people. Sometimes, I find a colour that guides me through a design, other times it may be a film or character in a book. And most often, our natural world - plants, animals, fungi, architecture - provides constant inspiration.

What do people like about your designs?

The joy of creating is important to me as well as environmentally beneficial crafting. When people write me that they had a wonderful time knitting my design and could not put it down, it is one of the best compliments to receive and makes me feel great! I want to provide patterns that are engaging and fun to knit. People enjoy the mystery knit alongs. Our Ravelry group is very relaxed and we mainly concentrate on the knitting. We have no time pressure and people are welcome to knit along or share their finished projects anytime in the future.

What ideas/goals do you pursue when you design a pattern?

Mona is wearing her DAHLIA Shawl knitted in Wolle’s colorway VISION

I want to provide patterns that are enjoyable to knit and perhaps have a few new techniques in them. I like to include both written and charts, when possible. When I work, the flow of stitches and patterning are crucial to a successful design. I often work up a few ‘paths’ that stitches may take and fiddle with them until I find a pleasing progression.

Talk a bit about the design process: How do you do it?

As mentioned above, the flow or path of stitches and design elements is important to me. I knit a number of small swatches before I settle on a motif pathway.

What are you proud of as a designer so far?

I am pleased with the direction my business is going. I support ethical sourcing and climate/people conscious companies. I hope to provide more instructional videos in the future. I have been fortunate to work with independent yarn dyers, like Wolle’s Yarn Creations, and am exceedingly grateful for such a supportive community.

How can people contact you? Where do you sell your patterns?

I sell my patterns on Lovecrafts and Raverly. I also have several patterns included in magazine and book publications, as well as a few kits. I try to post regularly on Instagram (@bunnymuff) to keep people up to date with my new projects and sales.