Jananas

Back in March, I wrote up a pattern for Lobster Claw Bicycling Mittens for a friend who cycled to school regularly. The pattern was inspired by the bicycling mittens Jason and Badur have. I ended up submitting it to the most interesting contest in the Malabrigo Junkies Malabrigo March Contest and surprisingly won 2nd place (and three skeins of Malabrigo!!).

Needless to say, I was a little bummed when I saw the Summer ’09 Knitty Issue, as one of the featured patterns is Tridactyl Mittens. I had the initial feeling of “but I got there first” except that all I’m judging that based on release date of the patterns – which may or may not be relevant. I have no idea when inspiration occurred. And you can’t tell from the picture below, but both the cuffs and the backs of the mittens are different with the Tridactyl’s backs having some fancier stitch work to add detail.

In the end, I’m going to chalk this up to great minds thinking alike. Plus, I have to admit that in some strange way I’m pretty proud that the idea behind the very first pattern I ever wrote was considered cool enough to be included in Knitty (even if theirs was by someone else!). Plus, it was cool enough to win 2nd place in a contest and nab me some free yarn.

Now with my second pattern, I’ll aim to take over the world!