Infinite, Endless, Limitless: The Story Behind the Ananta Cardigan

We're excited to share our pattern, the Ananta Cardigan, with you, a knitting project that will balance your energy and ground you in your environment. Ananta stems from the Sanskrit word for "infinite," "endless," or "limitless."  

Though the name comes from old Indian scripture, the inspiration for this pattern comes from my in-laws' Islamic heritage, which has roots in pre-Islamic Persia; Central Asia and Europe. 

I got married to my husband Asim in 2017, and over the years, I've spent a lot of time with my mother-in-law and in the homes of my relatives. I have always been wowed by the pattern and detailing of their clothing and the artwork my mother-in-law proudly displays. 

When design meets storytelling, we end up creating something that expresses a shared human experience. Islamic Art is all about storytelling; each design finely weaves concepts of spirituality, faith, and the relationship we share with “the Creator.” We can see these stories everywhere across the Arab World and in Islamic design; on the towers that protect a Mosque, flushed across renowned monuments like the Taj Mahal in India and the tiles and pottery that decorate our favourite Middle Eastern restaurants. 

The Ananta Cardigan is a beautiful representation of the intricacy and detailing of Islamic Art, which uses geometric shapes, floral motifs, and calligraphic elements. Specifically, this design celebrates the natural rhythm and movement of floral motifs and the bold geometric shape of a hexagon. These shapes represent the unity between humanity and divinity and illustrate abstract concepts such as eternity, infinity, and perfection – concepts we all reflect upon from time to time and contemplate to understand life around us. In the Ananta Cardigan, they're harmoniously unified to bring inner balance.

We hope you enjoy this pattern as it pulls you back from worldly focus and into spiritual contemplation and gratitude for the life, people and environment around you.