In the village of Bura-Kirta, 79-year-old artisan Rafiga Sadykova knits beauty for her family and friends.

      Despite her venerable age, she continues to gift her loved ones items made by her own hands. In the village of Bura-Kirta in the Zainsk district lives an amazing woman – Rafiga Sadykova. Even at 79 years old, she does not part with her knitting needles, turning colorful skeins of yarn into warm socks, mittens, and luxurious blankets for those dear to her. She was born and raised in Bura-Kirta, where she also met her fate – she married a fellow villager, Akhnat. In love and harmony, they raised five children: four sons and a daughter. Today, the main pride of the craftswoman is her grandchildren and growing great-grandson, who adore their beloved grandmother. Until her retirement, Rafiga Sadykova worked as a milkmaid on a farm. Hard work, household chores, and raising children – it seemed there was no time for knitting. But she always found time for her beloved hobby. Her mother was a skilled seamstress and dressed half the village during difficult years when clothing was scarce. The daughter tried to follow in her mother’s footsteps, but sewing did not capture her heart; however, knitting became her favorite pastime. She started with simple items – socks. In village life, keeping feet warm is the most necessary task. But the craftswoman's talent demanded scale, and over time, true works of art began to emerge from her needles. In Rafiga Gabdelkhakovna's cozy home, soft furniture is adorned with luxurious blankets featuring colorful three-dimensional roses. Imagine: each flower, each square is knitted separately, painstakingly, and then sewn into a single piece. This work requires incredible patience and skill. Colorful chair mats, warm mittens, numerous socks and slippers of various kinds, women's scarves – the golden hands of the craftswoman have created it all! Rafiga Sadykova does not sell her creations. For her, knitting is not a way to earn money, but another way to share love and care with her loved ones. She gives all her products to relatives and friends. Even while ill, on the eve of March 8, she found the strength to finish knitting warm slippers to delight her dear ones. After all, the most valuable gift is not the one bought in a store, but the one infused with soul. Of course, her health is not what it used to be: her aching legs do not allow her to walk far, but Rafiga Gabdelkhakovna does not despair. She joyfully welcomes guests at home, tends to her flowers, watches movies and series, flips through fresh newspapers, and solves crosswords. On weekends, her children gather at her house, and during vacations, her grandchildren keep her from getting bored, alongside whom she feels young at heart and is inspired to knit new masterpieces.

      Irina Smirnova