About the craft · Journal
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.
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About the craft
The Indispensable Work of Knitters During the Great Patriotic War
It is hard to overestimate women's labour during the Great Patriotic War. Selflessness and courage in combat and back-breaking work on the…
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About the craft
The Orenburg Collection of Down Shawls
The Orenburg down shawl , along with Gzhel painting and Tula gingerbread, can be considered one of the symbols of Russia. Of…
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About the craft
The History of the Russian Spinning Distaff
Spinning distaffs have been known to humanity since the times of Ancient Rome, but they acquired such a deep and at times…
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About the craft
How the Orenburg Down Shawl Found Its Place in the Tretyakov Gallery. About N.P. Eryshev's Painting "The Orenburg Down Shawl"
The Orenburg down shawl is a knitted shawl or warm shawl made of the most delicate goat down twisted together with a…
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About the craft
Levushka's Pattern
The down-knitting craft has always been considered an exclusively female occupation. However, this difficult craft has not done without men's participation. Certainly,…
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About the craft
About Pyotr Rychkov and His Work "An Essay on Goat Wool"
Orenburg down shawls, as well as light gossamer shawls and stoles have been knitted by experienced down knitters for more than a…
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About the craft
The Gossamer Down Shawl
A light, translucent gossamer down shawl looks festive and elegant. Orenburg craftswomen create amazing patterns with their own hands that really resemble…
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About the craft
How Much Time It Takes to Make a Down Shawl
Few people know that a needlewoman spends a whole month making an Orenburg down shawl. Are you surprised? Listen to the story…
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About the craft
Down Stole versus Woollen Scarf
People compete in strength and endurance, in running speed and jump length, in games and professional skill. Things cannot compete on their…
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About the craft
Washing and Storing a Down Shawl
The Orenburg shawl has today become a fully-fledged part of so-called urban fashion. While it used to be worn by spirited Cossack…
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Articles that help you choose an item
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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About the journal
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.