Meet Zanete Hussain, the knitwear designer who swapped software development for knits and purls.

Zanete Hussain is a former software developer turned knitwear designer, challenging her creative limits and inspiring others to do the same. Zanete's journey as a knitter started innocently enough, like many impassioned knitters. But soon, she realized that knitting was much more than a hobby.

For years, Zanete juggled her love for arts and crafts–from needlework to playing the piano–with a successful career in the tech industry as a programmer and software architect. But, four years ago, during maternity leave for her second child, the pull of knitting was too strong to resist. She taught herself everything she could about the craft, pouring over YouTube tutorials and Instagram feeds to learn new yarns, needles, and techniques. As she knitted sweaters and cardigans, knitting became a way to express her creativity, rest her emotions, and find peace amidst the chaos of everyday life.

It wasn't long before Zanete's friends and a growing community of followers on social media started to take notice of her intricate designs and beautiful garments. 

Particularly, Zanete had one friend from college who always asked her to explain how she knitted garments she posted online. Eventually, she realized everyone was looking for practical guidance, so she taught herself how to create knitting patterns to help express her process in a way knitters understood best. After three months of learning how to create patterns and guides on knitting, Zanete launched Zanete Knits to inspire other knitters who want to create beautiful garments and feel more fulfilled as craftspeople.

Within three years, Zanete's patterns gained a following of over thirty thousand people. Today, Zanete is a recognized influencer in knitwear design. She is known for her innovative use of traditional motifs from Latvian folklore in modern colourwork garments and her ability to push the limits of what is possible with various yarns. She has been featured in numerous knitting magazines, and her patterns have been used by knitters everywhere. 

The story of Zanete Knits

What comes to mind when you think of knitting?

We know that for people on the outside, knitting can seem like an "old person's hobby" for people who long for comfort but not adventure, ease and not a challenge. We don't think that's true at all. Knitting takes time, effort, patience, determination and focus.

Knitting is about balance – finding harmony in our duality of wanting peace and adventure, in our quest for solitude and a community we can call our own.

We're here for people who want to celebrate that duality–their whole self–and find the balance between their peaceful and adventurous sides. Our patterns offer both a form of meditation and physical therapy and a way to challenge yourself when you think you cannot go any further or do any better.

With each design, you'll be surprised by what you can create and with our guides and tutorials, you can push past limiting thoughts and go beyond your current skill level, creating garments that will WOW you!

Enjoy the thrill of a challenge while taking the time and space to hear your thoughts, sit with your energy and re-center to take on what life offers you.

If you are on a journey to seek solace and feel empowered and more connected to who you are, we're so glad you found us.

You can find us on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and Ravelry as @zaneteknits.