A Passion for Crocheting Made Spokane Home for This Ukrainian Family 

The chill of fall entered the room as the smiling mother-daughter duo brought in bags of finger crocheted items. Immediately they were pulled out and strewn all over the couch with pride and excitement. Amazed, I picked up a scarf, so soft and intricately crafted, and placed it around my neck. Soon enough, we were all bundled in hats and gloves handcrafted by Sabina. 

Inna and her 10-year-old daughter, Sabina arrived in Spokane this spring. The war in Ukraine has driven 3.7 million people from their homes. 

“At the very last moment it was already very tough to be in our country,” said Inna, “We decided to leave because it was very hard with schooling for my daughter, and it was very dangerous.” 

It got to the point where Sabina could not play outside anymore and became restless. 

“We started looking for ways to get that energy out of her… after the war started that first time. We did all sorts of crafts,” said Inna. 

After trying all sorts of activities, they discovered a type of yarn with little loops for finger crocheting. Sabina picked up the skill quickly and made her first purse with the guidance of her grandmother. 

“Grandma always had this dream of teaching Sabina how to knit,” said Inna, laughing. “Because she tried to teach me and wasn’t successful.” 

Sabina channeled her energy into crocheting with her grandmother the rest of their time in Ukraine. Sadly, bringing the yarn was not an option when they finally got on a plane for the journey to Spokane. 

A walk in the park rekindled her passion for crocheting  

“Here in the states, we like to go out and see things… when we were out and about, walking around, in one of the stores, we saw this kind of yarn,” said Inna holding up a soft blue ball of yarn. “She had no ends to her excitement.” 

Since that day, Sabina and her yarn have been inseparable. 

“She walks around, and she knits everywhere she goes,” said Inna. 

Because of the hospitality shown throughout Inna and Sabina’s journey, they have encountered many opportunities to share Sabina’s work with others and meet new people.  

“In America you don’t have the feeling that you are a stranger… in Europe you can feel it starkly, ‘these are locals, and these are the people that came’, but here in Spokane I don’t feel that at all,” said Inna. 

With the help of Oksana, a Community Ambassador at the Friendship Center, Sabina hosted a booth at the Jubilee Craft Fair where she sold her scarves, hats, gloves and purses.  

Sabina loves making gifts for her friends, taking great care to be sure the whole outfit matches.  Most recently, Sabina made a purse for a friend’s birthday. 

“This friend loves her bag, almost like it’s part of her,” Sabina said with a laugh. 

They found not just a place to worship, but a sense of belonging 

Inna and Sabina have also been warmly welcomed into the community of their new church in Spokane, where hospitality flows in reflection of Jesus’s love. When a few of their friends extended an invitation to attend a Sunday service, they found not just a place to worship, but a sense of belonging in this new chapter of their lives.  

The kindness didn’t stop there — Oksana invited Sabina to join the children’s activity at church, where she was greeted by the laughter and smiles of children her age. Sabina shared her crafting gift, creating new friendships and a sense of home.  

“People are very kind-hearted in Spokane and maybe one of the reasons is almost everybody goes to church… so when we go here in Spokane, we see that the people that attend church, attend a community,” said Inna. 

Inna is thankful to God for her daughter – who is also her best friend. She is thankful that they live in peace, comfort and safety in Spokane. 

“For you guys [World Relief] we are thankful; for all the people we have met… who reach out a helping hand,” said Inna. 

About the Author

Odelia Dahl is an intern at World Relief. She was born in a very small town on the border of Canada and owns a flat haired retriever named Arlo. Her passions include skiiing. Currently she is attending Whitworth University for marketing.