how can I update 21.5" late 2013 iMac beyond 10.15 catalina? I need at least 11

sorry, you cannot. the last supported macOS for that iMac is Catalina.

if you need Big Sur, you will need a new(er) Mac.

Cricut Help – System Requirements – Design Space currently says that you need macOS 12 (Monterey) or later – and that "some features are not supported with minimum system requirements."

[redacted… /viking]