About the craft · Journal
Articles on choosing, care, the history of the craft and Orenburg down shawls.
We collect practical tips and stories that help you understand the Orenburg down shawl better: how to choose an item, how to tell a gossamer shawl from a shawl, how to care for down and why handwork is valued.
About the craft
Most craftswomen have been knitting Orenburg down shawls since early childhood. For many of them, down knitting has always been their main source of income. Unfortunately, few people today try to set up centralised…
ReadAbout the craft
Most craftswomen have been knitting Orenburg down shawls since early childhood. For many of them, down knitting has always been their main…
About the craft
The price of an Orenburg down shawl is one of the main questions for any potential buyer.
About the craft
One of the most frequently asked questions about the Orenburg down shawl that we come across is: how do you wear it?…
About the craft
The Orenburg down shawl is not only a unique item without analogues and a distinctive branch of folk craft. It is a…
About the craft
Regular visitors to our website surely remember the events of the second half of summer 2018, when, as part of the “Folk…
About the craft
For those who are only superficially familiar with the history of the craft, or not familiar with it at all, it should…
About the craft
Another fairy tale about the Orenburg down shawl. This time, about a magic ball of down yarn!
About the craft
And here is a new fairy tale about the Orenburg down shawl and more, this time about kindness and mutual help. Enjoy!
About the craft
Well then, we are publishing a new fairy tale about the Orenburg down shawl for our readers! This time in verse.
If you are choosing a shawl for yourself or as a gift, start with the articles on size, density, warmth and the differences between items.
A gossamer shawl is fine, openwork and almost weightless; it can be pulled through a wedding ring. A shawl is denser and warmer and is worn in cold weather. A warm openwork shawl sits in between: it keeps you warm but retains an openwork pattern.
Gossamer shawls are most often 120×120 and 150×150 cm, shawls from 100×100 to 150×150 cm, stoles about 60×200 cm. For everyday wear a medium size is more convenient; for a gift, one that looks more striking when unfolded.
For the older generation, people more often choose a warm shawl or openwork shawl in a natural colour: they are practical and keep you warm. A gossamer shawl is a festive option for a holiday, especially in gift packaging.
Density can be seen against the light: the fewer gaps in the middle, the warmer the item. Weight is also a clue — a warm shawl is noticeably heavier than a gossamer shawl of the same size.
Stories of items, care tips and new articles about the craft — once a month, no spam.
In the Shalnoy Orenburg journal we publish articles about Orenburg down shawls, gossamer shawls, openwork shawls and stoles: we write about choosing, care, the history of the craft and the features of hand knitting and natural goat down.
