Lena Maikon learned to knit from her grandmother at the age of five in her hometown of Novosibrisk, Russia. She didn't pick up her knitting needles for thirty years, but started to knit again as a form of creative therapy. This quickly turned into a passion and profession. Lena often uses unconventional materials in her designs, and dreams of creating a knitted world. She knits and crochets socks, shoes, dresses, handbags, flowers, vases, and light fixtures. She has published two creative knitting books, and has her own handmade clothing and accessory label, Leninka. Lena is the mother of two sons who love to wear fuzzy knitted sweaters and cozy socks.