"I have been knitting since my mom taught me years and years ago when she got tired of seeing me sitting around and doing nothing."
Well done, Jenny's mother, I say! Please welcome a dear friend I met on Plurk years ago and let's jump right in.
Tell us a little about who you are
and where you come from.
My name is Jenny and I am an Alaskan Native Yupiaq Eskimo, I grew up in a
very small Yup'ik village on the West coast of Alaska. I now live near
Chicago with my husband and family. I've lived down here for 13 years
now.
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| Lace weight cowl or nachaq (From the description: "A nachaq is basically the hood of a parka (atkuk). These days it is also a word used for hat since not everyone wears parkas anymore." Bet you didn't know that. I didn't.) |
What's your craft and how did
you get to do it in the first place?
I knit and crochet. My mother taught me how to knit when I was about 12
years old. I didn't get into it until I was about 17 or 18 and at that
time I dove into knitting with lace weight yarn and (what seemed to me
at the time) tiny size 3 needles. As for crocheting, I was taught by my
grandfather's sister. I made a bunch of granny squares ,but never got to
finish the whole thing. After I went off to college my mom asked what I
wanted to do with them and I had no idea. She asked if I wanted her to
sew the squares together to make a blanket. It was a great idea and as a
thank you we decided to give it to my grandfather's sister. She loved
the gift and told me that she still uses it!
 |
| Mix and match crocheted newborn baby hats |
I think this is one of
the most
asked questions – where does your inspiration come from?
My
inspiration comes from wanting to knit something beautiful and eye
catching. I love making gifts for people, especially when I know they'll
be worn and appreciated! Not exactly sure if that's an answer for "inspiration," but that's it for me.
 |
| Fingerless armwarmers made to order in different colors |
Tell us a fun thing about yourself.
No idea!
Do you do other crafts, if yes,
what?
Well,
I mostly knit and crochet. Once in a while I will cross stitch. I have
so many started cross stitch projects that I would love to finish one
day.
I
also bead and make bracelets, necklaces and earrings with seed beads.
When I first started I was very young, making single stranded "jewelry."
When I got older, I found a necklace that my mom's grandmother made for
her and I copied it. I still love making that pattern.
Which one of your pieces is your
absolute favorite?
One
of my absolute favorites I had listed to sell, but after a little while
I unlisted it because I could not part with it. It is a deep purple
lace cowl that I made and couldn't stand the thought of selling it. I am
planning on making other cowls in the same pattern some time soon.
 |
| Knitted North Star scarf |
Which one was the hardest to make and why?
I don't know if there are any
things that, for me, were the hardest to make. Maybe the full fingered
gloves because they're custom made to fit the buyers and I have to make
sure the fingers will fit their measurements.
Is there someone whom you admire
and who inspires you?
All
the women in my family are crafters of some sort. Almost everyone can
do knitting, sewing, beading, crocheting, weaving. Hand sewing
clothes out of fur was the key to the survival of my ancestors. I wish I
could hand sew things like parkas and boots like they did way back
then, but sadly it has become a dying art. I admire them all because it
all ties us together.
 |
| Men's hand knit fingerless gloves |
If you had free choice of just one
supply you can use for your craft, what would you be dreaming
of, no matter how expensive?
That
would definitely be Qiviut (the wool of the musk ox)!!! I have been telling my husband for years
that if he bought me a baby musk ox to raise I would be happy for the
rest of my life. Sadly, it hasn't happened- yet. :D
Do you sell online, if yes, where
can we find you?
Is there anything you feel you
need or want to tell the world outside now?
Eat your veggies, drink plenty of water and don't forget to buy my stuff! :D
Thank you, Jenny ... or should I call you Bug like I'm used to? I bet there's a story behind that, too!! ;-)
