In April this year, enthusiasts from the ANO “Rodnoy Krai”, who are fighting to preserve the down-knitting craft of the Orenburg Region, together with their main partner, Shalnoy Orenburg (an official producer of handmade Orenburg down shawls), and the Presidential Fund for Cultural Initiatives launched the unique project “School of Down Knitters”.
The aim of the “School” is to teach everyone interested the art of down knitting, to study in detail the whole process from obtaining and processing down to knitting an item and, of course, to help students create their first items in practical classes. The teachers at the “School of Down Knitters” are experienced hereditary craftswomen of Shalnoy Orenburg: professional knitters, spinners and other specialists who have practised the craft since their earliest years and devoted most of their lives to the Orenburg shawl.
Classes take place on the premises of Shalnoy Orenburg's production. To date, since the official opening of the “School” on 28 April, a number of classes have already been successfully held. Lessons will continue until October 2022, and anyone can attend the classes completely free of charge and learn in detail how a down miracle is created. The “School of Down Knitters” also provides online learning: every lesson is broadcast live (every Thursday at 9:00 Moscow time in Shalnoy Orenburg's official VKontakte group). Recordings of all lessons are saved and can be watched at any time in the official groups of “Shalnoy Orenburg” and “ANO TsSKR Rodnoy Krai”.
Today, thanks to the “School of Down Knitters”, anyone can become part of a unique craft and gain knowledge that only a few can boast of.