A passion for knitting
A good yarn
For one Nicosia woman it can take three weeks to knit a doll, but that also includes all the accessories, which may number tiny sandwiches, plates and cups
You wouldn’t think that seeing an old lady knitting away is that interesting, but never underestimate the power of a yarn and needle. Lito Savvidou isn’t your standard tablecloth-crocheting yiayia sitting outside her village house; she is a glamorous yiayia who can amaze both the older and younger generation with her eye-catching, knitted dolls.
Tucked away among the busy Nicosia streets, Baby Days, a shop dedicated to baby and children’s accessories, isn’t your average store. In the midst of prams, toys and high chairs, there is a corner that plays host to a range of colourful, detailed and highly-creative knitted dolls and animals. Can I call them toys? Can children possibly appreciate something like this? Their creator, Lito puts down her needles and, smiling, says: “Not really. In fact, kids don’t even notice them. It’s the adults that gather around, admiring and purchasing for themselves.”
Lito began knitting at a very young age, as most girls of her generation did over 50 years ago. “We learnt the standards, knew how to stitch and generally passed our time helping our mothers make tablecloths, curtains and other stuff,” she explains. “Knitting with wool came later on.” It was during a trip to London almost 20 years ago that Lito’s interest in knitting was ignited. “I had come across those magazines that illustrate how to make knitted dolls and found them absolutely fascinating. Having the basic knowledge, I found it easy in one way but it was still something completely new, so I decided to give it a go.” The dolls, although made of wool, require a fair amount of work before the knitting even begins. “I use the material used to stuff couches as the stuffing, cut out the patterns and then begin knitting individual pieces such as the arms, legs, clothes and accessories,” she explains. “But before all that, research is necessary, especially if it’s not an average doll.” So, how long does it take to finish one? “The big ones could take up to three weeks of constant knitting and putting together while the smaller ones could take ten days.”
At the start, Lito would make one or two dolls for her children and grandchildren but soon friends and relatives were putting in orders.
Today, she caters for all types of people, even serious businessmen. “A woman came in and noticed one of the designs was a golfer and decided to purchase one for her husband who loves golf and now has the doll in his office,” she explains, displaying a half metre colourful doll holding a golf club and practice equipment. This is perhaps what distinguishes Lito’s creations from your average commercial ones; every single doll has a concept behind it. There’s the chef with a carrot and sausages pouring out of his apron, the bird watcher with her map, compass and rucksack and even a seven member family! “I love that they all have a purpose and so I try to create the appropriate atmosphere, like here with the couple having a picnic,” she says holding out knitted biscuits, plates and sandwiches. “It’s not just about the dolls, it’s about creating a picture complete with pebbles, sticks and other bits and bobs.”
Baby Days: Philipiados 2a, Nicosia (behind Debenhams on Makarios Avenue). Tel: 22-767586
