Text by Teti Lutsak
Teti wearing her Javelin pullover
On the morning of February 24th my life changed forever. Worries that seemed to be so important the day before vanished the moment I saw the news.
Russia had invaded Ukraine, my homeland.
The first few days passed in a blur. I couldn’t sleep, couldn’t work. News reports were the only thing I was interested in, besides calls home. Every few hours, I called to see if everyone was alright, if there was anything I could do, but from the safety of my current home in the Netherlands, all I could do was worry. Pattern releases were postponed, all collaborations and previously made commitments paused. I was prepared to pack a bag and rush to the Polish border to pick up my fleeing family.
But they refused…
Refused to flee and leave their homes and lives behind.
Two weeks after the war broke out, I began knitting again. I couldn’t focus on writing patterns, so instead I cast on new designs and went with the flow. Knitting worked its magic, and took my mind off the news reports. This was the time when Javelin pullover was born. With its spear-like textured ribbing pattern it is all about strength and resilience, or body armor, just what my broken heart needed. To not fall apart and be able to support my family, I keep knitting.
At the same time, I started educating my followers on Instagram about the situation, explaining why this war is a genocide of Ukrainians and why the world cannot stand by and watch these atrocities happen, why we cannot afford to just give up for the sake of peace, why this war did not start overnight and how complicated the historical context is.
I auctioned many of my design samples to raise money for charities supporting Ukrainian refugees and Ukraine in this war. You’d be surprised, but even a cup-of-coffee-worth-of donation for you and me can buy someone in Ukraine food for a couple of days.
Speaking out grounded me, and together with knitting, my full-time job, helped keep me sane. I believe it is my way of fighting, by promoting Ukrainian culture and my heritage, and also my selfish way of processing the events.
View of her grandmother's house in Ukraine
The knitting community’s response was overwhelming! My inbox exploded with incoming messages. People from all over the world showed up with their support, shared their stories and offered help. Total strangers, on-line and off-line. I am eternally grateful for every single one of those messages.
I also want to thank every single one you for opening your hearts and homes for Ukrainians. Thank you for standing with us, than you for standing with Ukraine.
Light will overcome this darkness. It cannot be otherwise. Peace must come for Ukraine, peace for all of us!
Support Ukraine Now provides people with information about all the ways people can support Ukraine. There are links to different foundations, depending on the nature of their work, as well as ways to help locally in different countries.
https://supportukrainenow.org
Teti is an Ukrainian knitwear designer who lives in the Netherlands. Her design contribution in this issue appears on pages 61 ~ 62.
Photos courtesy of the designer