Learn about the traditions and techniques of knitting in Lithuania past, present, and future. Plus find more than 25 mitten, glove, and sock projects to knit!
- Genre:
- History, How-To, Nonfiction, Travel
- Page Length:
- 100 – 250 Pages
- Book Status:
- Completed Manuscript
I am Donna Druchunas, a writer, knitwear designer, and travel junkie. My passions for knitting, history, culture, and story-telling are at the center of my work.
I’m here to raise the money I need to print a high-quality hard-cover book that celebrates the knitting traditions of Lithuania, the country of my family origins. I want to print my book in Lithuania to support the local economy.
Lithuania is a hub of European textile production and a haven for fiber artists. Visitors to the capital city of Vilnius find the narrow cobblestone streets flanked by hidden yarn and folk-art shops. Tourist markets overflow with hand-knitted mittens, socks, wrist warmers and caps. Museums house rich textile exhibits and collections, and traditional handcrafts are demonstrated at street festivals and open-air museums during summer. As soon as autumn’s cool breezes kick up, the streets become a veritable knitwear fashion show. Although Lithuania doesn’t have a reputation as a major tourist destination, the country is a knitter’s paradise.
Knitting spotted everywhere in Lithuania!
In Lithuanian Knitting: Continuing Traditions, you can journey with me and my co-author June Hall around the country and learn about all of the fun and fascinating traditions and techniques that I’ve discovered during my travels.
June Hall spinning
Along with all of the stories, the book also includes over 25 patterns for traditional and modern socks, gloves, mittens, and beaded wrist warmers, all worked with Lithuanian techniques, pattern stitches, and motifs. The techniques used include colorwork, texture stitches, lace, entrelac, and more! And, I’ve also included a chapter on how to perform some special Lithuanian techniques that I’ve been teaching in sold-out workshops for the past several years.
Thumbnails of Projects
Over the years, Vilnius has become a second home to me, and Lithuania has become more and more of a homeland to me. Although being Lithuanian-American is vastly different than being a native Lithuanian, I’ve come to feel even more of a kinship with my family here in America as I’ve fallen in love with the far-off country.
In Lithuanian Knitting: Continuing Traditions, I’ll introduce you to the Lithuanian cities and countryside; take you to visit knitters, weavers, and spinners; spend time learning about sheep, and wool; drop into a few yarn stores; and explore Lithuanian knitting techniques. When we are done, you’ll be drooling to cast on and knit some wonderful Lithuania-inspired projects!
Donna buying beaded wristers from a knitter in Vilnius