In Case You Missed It — MAY 5, 2026 IRINA ANIKEEVA ADDRESSED THE GUILD
Irina Anikeeva – My Journey to Create Solace: Stitches of Comfort
Guild member Irina Anikeeva has treated us previously with her creative process. Her current book Solace, Stitches of Comfort has 22 patterns emphasizing elements such as lace, cables, and texture.
What impressed me most was how varied and precise Irina was about the sources of her design inspirations. Japanese and Scandinavian furniture lines, Elizabethan collars, Medieval cathedrals and nature’s geometrical patterns were all translated into design elements. For example, 19-century ironwork becomes lace with vertical columns in the Barnsley shawl. Her Isadora cardigan is a Celtic Revival motif brought to life with a mix of cables and airy eyelets.
Her book is mostly sweaters as well as shawls, headgear, and cowls. All the patterns were made with Miss Babs yarn in a variety of weights. Her sweaters are worked both top-down and bottom-up; she varies construction techniques both to make the knitting journey interesting and considering the project’s intended use.
Several members wore their Irina creations to the meeting. They reported being impressed both with the designs themselves and with Irina’s response to their questions. Our Guild is so very lucky and proud to claim Irina as a member!
You can learn more about Irina here on the Guild website, at her own site, and on her Ravelry page.
— Tania Marshall, Secretary
