“Making Knitted Wrist Warmers with Beads”

A masterclass led by Sandra Brūna, a craftswoman from the “Liepava” Folk Applied Art Studio of the Liepāja Folk Art and Culture Centre.

Wrist warmers have been an integral part of Latvian dress since ancient times, dating back to the late 18th century. They were worn both while going about one’s work and on festive occasions. Wrist warmers were worn to keep the hands warm and also as adornments. They are knitted from wool or wool-blend yarn and decorated with glass beads. The beads are not sewn on; instead, they are threaded onto the yarn and knitted in together with the piece. The bead pattern is an expression of each knitter’s creativity, featuring Latvian symbols, floral motifs or geometric designs.

Today, beaded wrist warmers have returned as part of our traditional dress. They are worn every day to keep the hands warm, as well as serving as an elegant accessory that complements festive attire.

You do not need much to knit your own pair of wrist warmers. Most importantly, you need a love of creativity. Yarn, beads, beading needles and knitting needles will be provided. However, if you already have your own set of supplies for knitting wrist warmers, you are welcome to bring it along. We will begin making the wrist warmers from the very beginning: choosing the materials, drawing the pattern, threading the beads onto the yarn, knitting and joining the piece into a round.

The masterclass lasts approximately four hours.

Places are limited.

The price includes the necessary materials and a coffee/tea break.

The masterclasses take place as part of the “Skill Exchange Platform ‘Skills Exchange’” project’s masterclass series, “Skills Laboratories”. 

The “Skill Exchange Platform ‘Skills Exchange’” project is implemented as part of the “Liepāja 2027” programme. The “Liepāja – European Capital of Culture” project is implemented by the Liepāja 2027 Foundation, the Liepāja State City Municipality and its official partners—the South Kurzeme Municipality and the Kuldīga Municipality. Co-financed by the Ministry of Culture. Supported by the main partner in the fields of environmental education and sustainability, AS “CleanR Grupa”, and the mobility partner, the passenger transport company SIA “Lux Express Latvia”.

The event may be filmed and photographed. The resulting material may be used for publicity purposes.