Spokane native Emily Russell is a fiber artist with more than 20 years of expertise in knitting and crochet work. Growing up, Emily was always surrounded by creative people; friends were always crocheting and knitting, and her mother was always working on different crafts. When she was 7 years old, a friend taught her how to knit, and then at around age 12, she taught herself how to crochet. She took to the craft immediately, knitting every day! In her teens, she had already started selling her knit hats in a few coffee shops around Spokane. In 2020, during the pandemic, she launched her business, eM knits, and made it her full-time job. The eM in the name is short for Emily.

She specializes in knitting and crocheting plants and cacti, designing pieces that showcase her passion for the craft and nature. She is intentional with the fibers she selects and the knits she creates with them. One of her favorite stitches is the seed stitch because of the beautiful texture it creates; it's the stitch used to knit the barrel cactus. When she started knitting cacti, people were really enjoying them, so she decided to write/create the pattern so others could make their own. The knit kits followed soon after. Her first Knit Kit was "A Prickle of Cactus Knit Kit."

Much of the creativity in the knits and kits she produces stems from the varied surroundings she inhabits and the passions she cherishes. In Spokane's transitional geography, Emily finds motivation in a mix of textures, hues, and terrains. The climate of eastern Washington contributes to her appreciation of being warm, cozy, and beautifully adorned with knits. The knitting process starts with selecting inspirational yarns that will guide the project, and then she bases all her designs on that particular yarn or fiber. With yarn as her medium and knitting as her artistic expression, her creative ideas come to life in DIY kits that you can enjoy at home.