This document discusses crochet and its history and applications in Finnish craft practices. It outlines that crochet originated from knitting and was brought to Finland in the early 19th century. It grew in popularity in the late 19th century, especially in western Finland. Today, crochet is used to make toys, clothing, home decor goods, and works of art and activism. The document presents examples of different crochet styles and products over time in Finland.

1. CROCHET AND ALLIED
TECHNIQUES IN THE
FINNISH CRAFT PRACTICE
HANDICRAFT PROJECT SEMINAR IN LATVIA / MAY 2012

2. CROCHET AND ALLIED TECHNIQUES IN THE FINNISH CRAFT PRACTICE
• CROCHET is one of the
rare techniques left today,
that is not industrially
produceable! Fact to
celebrate!
• Under the finnish search
"virkkaus" I found 843
blogs / fashionable
hobby, not a profession
• Magazines & books offer
constantly new crochet
patterns

3. CROCHET AND ALLIED TECHNIQUES IN THE FINNISH CRAFT PRACTICE
short history of crochet in Finland
• Some historians claim that Crochet has been
developed from knitting through needlework
called "neulakinnas"
• Almost no proven data about Crochet in Europe
before 19th century
• First crochet objects surely made in Finland are
a patterned purse and a cap from 1830. The
Helsinki City Museum has a pair of gurdles,
estimated production time 1808
• Multicolored patterned crochet objects became
popular in the second half of the 19th century.
There is a lot of information about these in the
western Finland, almost as much in the eastern
Finland and some around Helsinki and Turku
• Under the hunger years during 1860 there came
some women from Pohjanmaa to the eastern
Finland, and they brought the knowhow of
crochet with them. Also the impact of manors
and the public school spread the skill.

4. CROCHET AND ALLIED TECHNIQUES IN THE FINNISH CRAFT PRACTICE
• Crochet in still a part of the the school craft program in
public schools and in non formal education
• Gallery of caps made during one school course (PP)

5. CROCHET AND ALLIED TECHNIQUES IN THE FINNISH CRAFT PRACTICE
Fashionable crochet products
• traditional laces for sheets &
pillow cases
• 1960: clothes for women &
children, woollen pieces
combined together as ponchos
etc. (Qvidi Mina pic)
• 1970: bed covers of heavy
cotton yarn "kalalanka"
• 2000: skaters & snow boarders
(male) wear hand made hats,
japanese infuenced micro
objects (Amigurumi pic)

6. CROCHET AND ALLIED TECHNIQUES IN THE FINNISH CRAFT PRACTICE
products now
• toys
• clothes, headwear
• bags, purses
• jewellery (Juustola
works shops on
Friday & Saturday)

7. CROCHET AND ALLIED TECHNIQUES IN THE FINNISH CRAFT PRACTICE
products now
• interior decoration:
• rag containers,
cushions etc.

8. CROCHET AND ALLIED TECHNIQUES IN THE FINNISH CRAFT PRACTICE
products now
• interior decoration:
• curtains, rugs,
lamp shades etc.

9. CROCHET AND ALLIED TECHNIQUES IN THE FINNISH CRAFT PRACTICE
products now / art

10. CROCHET AND ALLIED TECHNIQUES IN THE FINNISH CRAFT PRACTICE
products now / art

11. CROCHET AND ALLIED TECHNIQUES IN THE FINNISH CRAFT PRACTICE
products now / art / activism

12. CROCHET AND ALLIED TECHNIQUES IN THE FINNISH CRAFT PRACTICE
other techniques to join crochet
• traditional finnish
Korsnäs knitwear
combines knitted and
crocheted elements

13. CROCHET AND ALLIED TECHNIQUES IN THE FINNISH CRAFT PRACTICE
other techniques / materials to join crochet
• laminating, soaking
(wedding crowns)
• sewing (table cloth,
towel decorations)
• combining with
metal /plastic cords
(pic)

14. CROCHET AND ALLIED TECHNIQUES IN THE FINNISH CRAFT PRACTICE
other techniques / materials to join crochet
• plaiting, basketry
(natural fibres)