Delsy is from the provinces. Her mom taught her how to knit, but she really enjoys embroidery and crochet. Now pregnant with her second child, Delsy likes to watch TV while she embroiders. She has a little workshop in her house where she likes to work. Watch her interview. 

Lidia was a clandestine knitter. Her family didn't want her to knit, so she learned using a pair of nails! She perfected her technique by knitting and unraveling over and over until her stitches were perfect. Although she has a passion for knitting, she hasn't taught her children how to knit because she wants them to concentrate on their studies. Lidia can knit and walk, and when Emilime asked if she could knit and dance, she smiled and she said she could. Lidia explained that her hands know what they are doing, so her eyes can watch where she is going!  

One of the most experienced knitters in the group, Rosa started knitting when she was thirteen. She has four children, and always has her baby on her back. Rosa says that she knits best when she is standing and rocking her child.  

In addition to knitting for Emilime, Ruth takes care of her family of eight and provides for them by growing potatoes, corn, and beans. Ruth also has cows, pigs, and sheep that she looks after. Ruth suffered a leg injury this year when her cow pulled her into a hole. Because of Emilime, Ruth has been able to continue working while recovering from her injuries and has found knitting to be a therapeutic way to spend her time.  

Hidubina is quite the entrepreneur. In addition to knitting, she owns a small store, and collects electricity payments for the town. Her sister, Franci, also knits. Hidubina admits that she doesn't have that much time to knit, but when she does, she finds it very relaxing.  

Delsy has been knitting for 8 years with a group of women, and this is the second year that she has knitted for Emilime. Delsy used to run a small snack stand outside her home while she watched her children, but now she works in the cafeteria of her children's school. She likes this job because she can spend more time with her children.  

In the mornings, you can find Franci selling fruit under her blue tent in front of her sister's store. In the afternoons, she packs up and heads home to do her household chores. Franci knits at night, but she doesn't like to knit dark colors because they hard to see.  

Olga has 20 years of experience knitting, and has helped to develop many Emilime samples. She started out knitting baby clothes, and finds knitting very entertaining. Olga knits in her house as she watches her three grandkids and, when they head off to school, she finds that she can really concentrate on her knitting.  

Angela is twenty years old and has an adorable one and a half year old daughter. Angela knits while she watches her daughter playing. Her dream is to travel out of the country and experience another culture.  

Hilda has three children, and she can knit while she watches them. She learned to knit when she was five, and her sister knits with her. The pieces that Hilda knits have lots of little balls on them, which she says take a long time and a lot of concentration.  

Irma is the fastest knitter Emilime has ever seen! She likes that her designs are being exported because she feels that they can be better appreciated. Irma started crocheting when she was younger, but likes knitting now because she can do it so quickly. She taught her two daughters how to knit, and they are always asking Irma if they can help her while she is knitting her pieces for Emilime.  

Sulvey is in charge of a large knitting group of twenty members! She learned to knit and crochet when she was a little girl. Normally Sulvey attends to her household in the mornings, then knits during the afternoon. When she doesn't have a knitting job, she likes to knit things for her two daughters.  

Also known as "La Rica," Ricardina has many jobs in addition to knitting. She works in a small bus, (known as a combi) as a cobrador or the person who opens and closes the door and charges people their bus fare. She works the more rural areas, so she has time during the long stretches to get some knitting done. Ricardina also works during the chakra, picking potatoes, and works in her house while watching her two children. 

Noemi is a busy stay-at-home mom caring for her three boys. She is an experienced and talented knitter who also knows how to crochet and embroider. Noemi is delighted that she can knit while at home with her children; working with Emilime enables her to maintain a very active and involved role in raising her boys. 

Cari started knitting when she was a little girl. She learned from her mom and her sisters just by watching them knit. She could then help knit items for her family. Now Cari has three daughters of her own, and usually knits at night when her daughters go to bed. While the other women in the group knit, Cari enjoys embroidering as well.  

Jenny's mom taught her how to knit when she was a little girl. She learned how to crochet on her own and now prefers it over knitting. Jenny has two children, and you can usually find one swaddled on her back as she knits. Although she frequently knits in her house, she also enjoys walking around town while she knits. 

Ayde is the leader of a group of knitters, a position she earned by attending so many training sessions. She is always ready to help other knitters if they get stuck or have a problem. Ayde wants to help the other knitters succeed, and thinks that the best way to help her fellow artisans advance is additional training that are provided free, since people are unwilling to attend training sessions otherwise. 

Angelita is originally from the mountains of Payasca, but she moved to Lima and started to knit. Angelita has three children, and her first priority is to care for them. What little free time she has left she dedicates to knitting, and loves to knit at home alone in her living room.  

Mari Magda is twenty. She is a little shy, so it was difficult to get her to share her bio with Emilime. We'll have to let Mari Magda's beautiful knitting speak for itself!  

Maria speaks Aymara, which Emilime does not, so it was a little hard to interview her. Maria was thoroughly entertained, however, when Emilime attempted to speak to her in the few words of Aymara that we have learned. We'll try to know a little more next time, Maria!  

Maribel just had her second child and is spending most of her time taking care of her new baby, but she's returned to knit for Emilime for a second year. She is also a sheep herder and can hike up mountains and knit at the same time! Maribel specializes in embroidery. 

Rosa learned how to knit from her family. Her entire family knits, including her brother. She got her start when she knitted a chompa (a sweater) and was able to sell it in a local market.  

She started knitting when she was seven. She has three children. She watches her kids and knits. She likes to knit because sometimes she gets bored in the house. She also helps in developing samples.