Words: Ingrid Keneally
Russian born Glushakova Oxana Nikolaevna, known as Kseniya, resides in Moscow and has transformed her dream job of knitting into a business. After having many different career moves it was the birth of her daughter who inspired Kseniya to create tools for knitting, design knitwear and to then hold knitting workshops. Her creations are incredible and her wooden tools and spools are divine.
1. Describe how you work with wool:
I work with different compositions and types of yarn, I usually resort to methods of manual winding. This allows me to create the desired color and thickness.
2. A pivotal moment in your early career:
The turning point in my career was when I had my daughter Maya and I was on my maternity leave. During this happy time I realized that I could turn my hobby into my work!
3. Did anything in your childhood influence what you do now?
As a child I was influenced by my mother, who did not allow me to sit around and dream but taught me everything she knows. It was because of this I was knitting and sewing clothes for myself in my early school years. Now my mum is still a big inspiration for me.
4. The professional achievements you are most proud of:
I believe that the greatest achievements are ahead. At the moment I’m proud of the spokes we have made.
5. Is there anything you wish you’d known when you were starting out in wool?
I learned to knit in early childhood, but even now I can not say that I know everything. Russians have a very wise saying: “You live - and learn”.
6. Why do you think wool/handmade textiles are so fashionable right now?
I think there are a lot of factors that influence this trend: this recession and the mass market domination and the rush of our living and social networks as the replacement of live communication.
People are drawn to the times of our civilization origins where everyone can do something with their hands. Owning a skill is excellent to stand out from the crowd. It is very cool when you can take a coil and a pair of sticks to create yourself a haute couture piece.
7. What skill do you want to master next?
Next skill I want to master and I’m already working on it, is to learn weaving and yarn spinning.
8. Which artists who work in the wool/textiles field have inspired you?
My idol number one is my mother, who never stops amazing me with her skills. She is now engaged in the restoration of knitwear. Of the worlds creators I admire and get inspiration from, they would be : Johan Ku, Craig Lawrence, Alison Tsai and many others. I love pinterest, tumblr for my daily channels of inspiration and new names.
9. Your favourite item of clothing made out of wool or cotton?
My favourite knitted clothes vest transformer – they are irreplaceable in our climate. Also our cold rescue caps as we have very cold winters in Russia.
For beginners: do not be afraid to experiment and break the rules.
11. The KPC Yarn hue that speaks to you and why?
Too hard to choose I like all their colours!
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