Knitter Sharon Draznin Gets Down to Business

Three years ago, knitter Sharon Draznin shifted from hobby to profession when she was juried into in Annandale. The local artisan was approached by gallery member during an exercise class. Safran asked if she had ever considered selling any of her items in a gallery. “I was just dumbfounded because I didn’t have any idea that I could do that,” Draznin said. “I was just knitting for fun.”

Draznin brought five items to the gallery that she considered her best work. She was juried in and jumped at the opportunity to display her work. “For the first time, I actually considered myself an artist and a professional knitter,” she said. “I just didn’t see myself as that at all before. I think my work has evolved quite a bit since I started displaying my pieces there. My style has become more sophisticated, more artistic.”

Fellow gallery member said Draznin allowed her to experiment with photographing some of her knit purses and scarves. “We sat down at the computer and worked on her website and Etsy shop together,” Anderson said. “I love the bold colors in her scarves – red, purple, bright yellow – and the matching sets of hats, mittens and scarves that she offers.”

Draznin said that her use of color and texture and also of thinking more artistically is way beyond what she was doing pre-Artisans United. The Burke resident knits scarves, shawls, hats, mittens, kerchiefs, cowls, ear warmers, purses and even baby blankets. She also designs almost everything she knits on her own. “If I use a pattern, I will rarely use the colors that they suggest,” she said. “I find my own colors all the time.” 

She often knits a crocheted trim or adds a splash of color to make the item more unique. “The idea of combining the colors and the textures makes me think, ‘What would look nice next to it? How can I make it visually interesting?’” 

She currently has 100 items at the gallery, including ruffled scarves made out of sock yarn called “helix scarves,” which can be twisted multiple times to create a more playful look.  As one of the gallery’s high sellers over the holidays, Draznin is looking for ways to stay “top of mind” in the spring and summer months by knitting lighter items. “I may try knitting some things with cotton yarn,” she said. “I’ve seen some patterns for tank tops so I thought I might try a couple of those and see what happens.”

The Chicago native and grandmother of six moved to Burke 10 years ago to be closer to her grandchildren. She participates in the annual Burke Craft Festival and the Spartan Fest at Springfield High School. She also does commissions for anyone who sees her knitting and asks for a specific item. One market she’s considered tapping into is local schools by knitting their logos onto big Afghans and other items. “That’s a direction I’m thinking about moving in,” she said.

Until then, Draznin is enjoying the relaxation of knitting and the creative aspect of the craft. “I take this yarn and I make something beautiful, wearable and usable,” she said. “I’m finding that I must have had some hidden artistic something or other because I’m really enjoying working with textures and color rather than just the physical act of knitting. Since being juried into the gallery, it really has become way more of an artistic endeavor rather than just something that I do when I’m waiting in the doctor’s office.”