Handmade Store: The Knitting Lady

I've been a knitter for as long as I can remember. I never had anyone teach me my craft, and first learned to knit simple patterns by watching my mother. Growing up in Russia, my mother would knit socks and mittens for our large family during the long winter months. Knitting was not only a necessity to combat the harsh environmental elements; it was a pastime as well. On occasion, our house would be completely snowed-in, and my family would spend days inside until neighbors would help shovel us out. It was during those long, cold winters spent by my mother's side that my creativity was first sparked. I would watch my mother's hands move in repetitive motions that would eventually create clothing that was not only functional, but beautiful as well. It didn't take long before I picked up my first set of needles and began knitting my own creations.

As I matured, so did my skill in the craft. I began by knitting simple items for myself - from basic scarves to full winter coats. Family and friends would comment on my talent, and began asking me for custom items - sweaters, accessories, and requests to replicate items clipped from magazines. I could never refuse an order, and would sometimes spend weeks trying to figure out a specific pattern. Every piece had to be measured on the individual, custom-made, and then measured again on the customer for proper proportions. As every seamstress knows, it's quite difficult to knit something without a pattern - a task that was routine for me in my early days. Now, as a developer of my own patterns and designs, I greatly enjoy the creative process and get complete satisfaction when I finish a work that is uniquely my own.

The development of my collections is mostly inspired by children, especially babies. I get my greatest joy in making tiny baby clothes that are full of intricate details, and then seeing the pieces on my littlest fans. For me, the satisfaction is priceless. I'm eagerly anticipating the arrival of my own grandchildren so that I can dress them up in cute outfits already designed in my imagination.

Knitting can be very monotonous work, requiring a lot of patience. I admit I sometimes take a break from the work for months, and think I won't pick up my needles ever again. However, as time goes by, styles and trends evolve, and the urge to create returns. It's this constant state of change that keeps me interested in designing fashions that everyone can wear.