Originally from the village of Bayzak in the Naryn region, Elvira was born in 1991. After finishing school, she began her career as a seamstress. In 2013, she got married, and now she and her husband are raising two sons in Karakol.
In her free time from family responsibilities, Elvira finds time for her favorite hobby. Today, she is an example of a woman who has managed to turn her passion for handicrafts into a real profession.
“My passion started with knitting bags. The first one was made from cord yarn, and my hands hurt a lot; sometimes they even swelled. But I didn’t back down in the face of difficulties and kept trying, and over time my hands got used to it. Later, I became interested in knitting footwear. For example, I knitted sneakers on my first try—I just saw a model and was able to reproduce it. It all depends on imagination and inspiration. Some knit quickly, while others need more time,” she shares.
Elvira's family supports her endeavors, especially her husband, who helps with finances for purchasing materials. Thanks to this support, she knits shoes and bags in various styles, paying special attention to the quality of materials.
“When I first knitted a bag for sale, pricing it at 600 soms, my mother-in-law bought it for 1000 soms to support me,” she recalls.
According to her, it takes 3–4 days to make one pair of shoes. The main advantage of handmade knitted footwear is that it is lightweight, comfortable, and warm, making it in demand.
Elvira takes orders right at home and offers finished products through social media. The price depends on the amount of yarn used and the effort expended. For example, the cost of shoes ranges from 1000 to 2000 soms, while bags cost from 600 to 2000 soms.
— “Since I started knitting, I constantly have the desire to try something new. If I see an interesting shape or model, I immediately want to make it. I take pride in what I create with my own hands, and it brings me great joy,” she notes.
Elvira plans to continue developing her craft and sharing her knowledge with others.
To beginner artisans, she advises: “The most important thing is to not lose motivation and not give up. With patience, success will surely come,” she concludes.
