
At iNNOVATION Insights…We transform our clients' career journeys through the art of storytelling via our consulting, coaching, and career management services.

In episode 39 of the iNNOVATION Insights Podcast, I had the privilege of sitting down with Billie Elias, a remarkable individual whose journey has spanned engineering, entrepreneurship, and the intricate art of vintage knitting. Reflecting on our discussion, I am struck by the many layers of Billie's experiences, each interconnected through her enduring curiosity, adaptability, and love for problem-solving. Her story resonates deeply with the podcast’s theme of innovation in unexpected places.
Billie's Knitting Journey
Billie's love for knitting began early, at around four years old, with a pair of turquoise celluloid knitting needles given to her by her mother. Her initial projects were modest—simple garter stitch squares intended for an Afghan throw that never materialized—but the muscle memory she built laid the foundation for a lifelong passion. Like many creative pursuits, her knitting took a backseat during her academic and early career years. However, her joy in crafting and creating was rekindled each time she returned to it.

Billie's eventual return to knitting coincided with her retirement, marking a new chapter in her creative endeavors. With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, she immersed herself in the craft, producing a significant body of work and rediscovering the therapeutic and mathematical challenges knitting offers. Listening to Billie discuss the engineering precision involved in recalibrating vintage patterns to fit modern bodies was fascinating. It revealed an overlap between her engineering background and her creative pursuits, a theme weaving many aspects of her life.
Innovation in Knitting
Billie approaches knitting as both a craft and a science. She emphasized the mathematical intricacies of knitting vintage patterns, many designed for only one size. Her engineering expertise allows her to precisely modify patterns, recalculate stitches, and adapt designs to her needs. This analytical approach bridges the gap between engineering and art, showcasing how seemingly disparate fields can inform one another.

Another intriguing aspect of Billie's knitting journey is her focus on the 1930s and 1940s, a period she admires for its geometric Art Deco aesthetics. She gravitates toward patterns that reflect the streamlined, modern designs of American Art Deco, incorporating elements like chevrons and triangles into her creations. Her love for the era extends beyond knitting to encompass architecture, transportation, and fashion.
Reinventing Herself Through Career and Creativity
Billie's professional trajectory reflects her innovative spirit. Starting as an engineer, she pursued a field where women were—and often still are—underrepresented. Despite excelling in her career, Billie recognized that the corporate environment stifled her creativity. Leaving her engineering job, she launched an import business that allowed her to travel and explore her entrepreneurial instincts. She later pivoted to selling educational toys, a venture she managed while raising her child, demonstrating her adaptability.
Her ability to reinvent herself continued to retirement when she embraced knitting as a focal point. Not content with simply creating for herself, Billie launched her YouTube channel, Show and Tell Knitting, where she shares her creations and connects with a global community of like-minded enthusiasts. Her innovative approach to branding, incorporating cinematic elements and a vintage aesthetic, underscores her creative flair.
Lessons in Problem-Solving and Lifelong Learning
What struck me most about Billie’s story was her emphasis on problem-solving as a core life skill. From deciphering old genealogical records to recalibrating knitting patterns, her ability to approach challenges methodically has been a constant throughout her life. She attributes much of this skill to her engineering training, but it is also evident that her innate curiosity and resilience play significant roles.
Billie’s reflections on innovation were equally inspiring. She described it as creating something new with a vision for the future. This definition resonates deeply, as innovation is often reduced to a buzzword. Her thoughtful approach reminds us that true innovation is both intentional and impactful.

Final Thoughts
My conversation with Billie Elias left me reflecting on the power of creativity and curiosity to transform lives—and it inspired me to pick up my knitting needles and crochet hooks again. Her journey illustrates that innovation is not limited to grand technological breakthroughs; it can be found in the thoughtful adaptation of vintage patterns, the creation of meaningful connections, or the courage to forge new paths.
Billie's story shows that life does not have to follow a linear trajectory. Whether through her engineering career, entrepreneurial ventures, or creative pursuits, she has consistently embraced change and approached challenges with an open mind. Her ability to blend her technical skills with her artistic passions reminds us that our diverse experiences can enrich one another, leading to a more fulfilling and innovative life.
Billie's advice is simple yet profound for anyone considering a change in direction: prioritize happiness and not be afraid to make bold moves. Whether you are at the beginning of your career or exploring new horizons later in life, her story serves as an inspiring reminder that it is never too late to pursue your passions and redefine what success looks like.
If you love knitting, history, or stories of reinvention, I encourage you to explore Billie’s YouTube channel, Show and Tell Knitting. Her enthusiasm is infectious, and her insights are bound to inspire creativity and curiosity in anyone who listens.
Keep innovating!
Eulanda
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