Not your grandma’s needlework

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This article was published 28/03/2018 (2743 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A local entrepreneur is giving knitting and crochet a 21st century spin.

In October 2016, Janine Myska decided to follow her passion and start her own business. Now, she is featured as one of city’s top influencers as part of the Winnipeg Home & Garden Show’s DIY Challenge.

“I was gifted a knitting loom for Christmas,” said Myska, who graduated from River East Collegiate in 2012. “I taught myself how to use it, through YouTube. Before I knew it I had dozens and dozens of hats and nowhere to put them. So, I started an Instagram page to sell them.”

Knits ‘N Knots, which is what Myska named her knitting and crocheting endeavour, took off. By the time she graduated from the University of Manitoba with a bachelor’s degree in food science, Myska was hooked.

“I wanted to take my business to the next level,” she said. “So I quit my masters in October 2016, and I’ve been doing this full-time since.”

Still, Myska said jumping into the life of an entrepreneur with both feet was daunting at first.

“I’ve always done things because I was supposed to,” she said. “But pursuing my business is the best choice I ever made.”

Less than two years later, Knits ‘N Knots boasts over 17,600 followers on Instagram.

“I don’t think I would be anywhere close to where I am now without the power of Instagram,” Myska said.

And while social media has helped catapult her business into the spotlight, Myska admitted that it takes a lot of work to successfully market a product online.

“I put a lot of time into social media,” she said. “It’s something I’ve been learning as I went. As a business grows, you start to find your style, and it shows in your photos.”

Myska describes Knits ‘N Knots as a contemporary crochet with a polished, store bought look.
“I love surprising people.” she said. “When people think of knitting and crocheting, they might think of something outdated. But it can be fun, creative, sexy.”

Knits ‘N Knots has benefited from a strong local market for unique, handmade fashion and crafts, including successful showings at Third & Bird and Scattered Seeds.

“The amount of foot traffic you can get is amazing,” she said. “I’m so happy Winnipeggers are interested in shopping. Personally, I just love supporting other businesses who share the same values.”

Myska said she was inspired by her father Neil, who died in March 2014, to make her passion her life’s work.

“He was an engineer for the City and he loved his job so much that he said if he ever won the lottery, he’d keep working,” Myska said. “I want to follow in his footsteps, and build a life for myself that I love so much that I wouldn’t trade it for anything.”

The Winnipeg Home & Garden Show takes place April 5 to 8 at the RBC Convention Centre. Follow @knitsnknotswpg on Instagram for a chance to win Myska’s contribution to the DIY Challenge.