Hello everybody and thank you Corey for inviting me to be a guest on your blog.
I’ve been reading Corey’s blog from the beginning when she started it many years ago.
We first became online friends but later met when Corey and Yann stayed with us in Hong Kong for a few days and later I visited their beautiful home in Provence.
Oh, I forgot to introduce myself:
My name is Irina. I live in Florida after moving to the States from Hong Kong in 2016, first to Alexandria, Virginia, and later to Florida.
What I would like to talk about today is what I like to do the most- knitting. Especially color knitting.
Here is the proof- a cabinet full of colorful yarn and some of my knitted mittens and gloves
(Sidenote: Yes, Irina knitted all of those!)
I started knitting at the age of nine and haven’t stopped since knitting needles are always in hands and lots of knitting ideas in my head.
I’ve been always fascinated with traditional costumes, with all the work that goes into making them. I’m originally from Ukraine my country traditions and costumes are truly beautiful. Starting with flower-head-wreaths to hand-embroidered Vyshyvanka (blouse). So it is no surprise that in my knitting I prefer traditional styles. It has always been fair isle knitting that I work on mastering in following its technic and colors but also I’m totally in love with Estonian knitting traditions.
Here is my work in progress, knitting Estonian gloves originated in Muhu, and traditional Muhu stockings.
I hope that one day I’ll visit that tiny island of Muhu! It’s been my #1 dream destination for awhile. But for now, I keep reading, mastering my knitting technique, and admiring works of those who continue to keep traditions alive.
(Work in progress. Knitting fair isle vest.)
Fair isle it’s a knitting technique where you have always two colors in a row. The name comes from the island name- fair island which is one of Shetland islands in Scotland. Most of the time I knit with wool, and mostly Shetland wool.Here are some of my fair isle knits.
Also I enjoy needlepoint.Above are two examples of slippers I needlepointed for myself and another pair with a fox head for my son.My embroidery from a while ago and an all time favorite piece that I've done. This was from a painting by Thomas Sully of his nine year old son painted in 1820. Referred asThe Torn Hat
Irina describes her latest needlework, "Albrecht Durer’s watercolor The Young Hare embroidered in cross-stitch – my recently finished work. With a few other needlepoints, knitting, sewing projects, it took me almost a year to embroider one of my favorite paintings, and like they say ‘this is not your grandma’s embroidery’. The pattern is very detailed, it uses 36 colors of DMC floss. With 265 x 294 stitches, it has a size of about 15? x 16? on 18-count canvas.
Can you imagine 36 colors… in taupe.
The first steps to perfecting needlework you must have good eyes, nimble fingers, and love for calculating and patience.
Regarding Irina's stunning work, The Young Hare (Albrecht Durer’s watercolor).
Question: Do you knit for others?
Yes, I take commissions. Most of the time there will be a waiting time before I start. I’m working on something most of the time, especially fall/winter. I knit everything by myself, with no help and all by hand, especially that kind I do, like fair isle or other color knitting takes a lot of time. If anyone is interested in knowing more you can DM me on Instagram with questions/commissions.
*If you would like to see more of my work, knitting and needlepoint, welcome to my Instagram where I share all of that.
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