by Vilma Tammelin | Oct 18, 2021
EMBROIDERY Handicraft skills were expected of all girls and young women from the age around ten onwards, regardless of class or birth. A middle-class girl had to demonstrate her skills and ability to be a housewife. Before making the actual trousseau, young women...
by Vilma Tammelin | Oct 18, 2021
THE KARELIAN HAND TOWEL Among the Greek-Orthodox Karelians valuable items of the household included a long, narrow towel or cloth known as the käspaikka. They were used as hand towels at a place by the door where one washed one’s hands, and also spread on the...
by Vilma Tammelin | Oct 18, 2021
THE RYA WEAVES The most flourishing and productive period of vernacular rya weaves was from the close of the 18th century to the middle of the 19th century. The rya (Fi. ryijy) was already used in the Bronze Age in the Nordic countries as a cover in boats. It became a...
by Vilma Tammelin | Oct 18, 2021
THE CRAFTS GUILDS The craftsman began his career at the age of 13 or 14, when he would enrol as an apprentice with a master craftsman. The journeyman stage, which came next, required a certain degree of acquired skill and an approved apprentice’s examination.The...
by Vilma Tammelin | Oct 18, 2021
KNITTING The craft of knitting with needles came to Finland presumably from Central Europe at the beginning of the century. Mostly socks, mittens and jerseys were made in this technique. The knitting of socks became an important livelihood in Naantali and in the whole...
