When coming from the Orenburg region, many try to bring a down scarf with them. Thin but surprisingly warm, it’s like he’s hugging you, cradling you in the palms of comfort.
His history goes back many centuries. Belonging to folk crafts, along with painted wooden dishes, clay whistles, birch bark boxes and wooden decorations, scarves became a symbol of Orenburg.
At first they were bred for personal needs, and about 250 years ago they began to be put up for sale, turning into one of the sources of income for the Cossack family.
The rise in popularity of goat down scarves is associated with the personality of P. I. Rychkov. He conducted and published research on the types and properties of goat down. For his work he was awarded a gold medal.
The down knitting industry continues to develop confidently; craftswomen pass on their experience to the younger generation, improving patterns and types of knitting.
Types of Orenburg down scarves
Over the years, we have formed several varieties scarves and scarves. This a simple scarf, a web and a stole.
Reference. Regardless of the type of product, each of them has a carved border, which is made from openwork teeth, and a main fabric, knitted on 2 knitting needles.
Scarves vary in size and knitting method.
Simple
A simple scarf is only called that, but knitting it is very difficult, although for craftswomen this task is easily accomplished.
Knitting a simple scarf from thick gray or white yarn.
His value in maintaining heat and protecting against drafts.
They wore it every day, first they put on a thin linen scarf, and on top there was luxury down. They didn’t skimp on patterns; even in everyday life, the woman tried to be beautiful. Therefore, on the scarf there is simple uncomplicated patterns. Mainly alternating different types of loops folded into diamonds or tracks.
They begin to knit it from the corner tooth of the border, gradually transferring the loops to an auxiliary knitting needle or pin.
A large, warm and cozy scarf becomes an excellent protection against the winter cold.
Cobweb
All over the world, the gossamer is famous for the fact that this particular type of Orenburg scarf easily passes through a wedding ring.
Knitted from the finest two-part thread, it amazes with its delicacy and weightlessness. Wrapping her shoulders, it’s easy to imagine yourself under a cloud of tenderness.
The spider web makes a great gift for those who have health problems.
Important! A thin and strong thread, which has no equal in the world, is obtained only from the fluff of Orenburg goats, which has an index of 16-18 microns.
The product is knitted made of thin thread, but on thick knitting needles. The process is labor-intensive, so even experienced craftswomen take about 2 weeks.
The pattern is more intricate, the most popular remain “polka dots” or “chervonki”, the shape of the scarf is square.
This is a more elegant option; there are very complex openwork patterns.
Such scarves already belong to the category of festive ones and are a wonderful decoration in themselves.
Stole
A stole is a rectangular luxury accessory for celebrations and anniversaries, family holidays, important meetings and dates with a loved one.
It is distinguished by the complexity of the pattern and the clarity of its structure. Most patterns are knitted from snow-white thin threads consisting of fluff and warp.
The beauty of Orenburg stoles is valued in many countries; people strive to purchase them as a valuable gift.
Thanks to its large size, it covers not only the shoulders, but also the back, drapes the figure with textured folds, warms, and creates a feeling of comfort.
Despite the fact that the thread is thin and the weaving is openwork, down stoles are very warm.
Important! As the product is worn, it begins to fluff up, closing the gaps in the weave. Therefore, the pattern is preserved, and the level of retained heat increases.
What are Orenburg down shawls made of?
Main The peculiarity of the scarves of Orenburg craftswomen is airiness and lightness. Even everyday types, knitted without any special frills, weigh little and keep warm well. Sometimes you hear that an Orenburg scarf is called a woolen scarf. This is mistake. Craftswomen make their products not from any wool, but from fluff. And their secret lies in the special structure of the fluff.
Reference: It is not possible to obtain down of the same quality in other regions. Goats taken from their usual habitat lose their uniqueness over time and the fluff becomes coarse and heavy.
Yarn structure
The spinning technique also has its secrets.
Down itself will not be strong enough. Therefore, knitting yarn has 2 components.
- Pooh - the main component of yarn.
- The basis - the thread on which the fluff is spun. Silk, cotton, lavsan or viscose thread is used as a base.
Each spinner has a unique thread thickness and structure.
The hand-spun yarn is delicate, fine and silky. The fluff fits tightly to the base, does not fluff when rewinding and knitting. Only in the product does a natural change in structure begin, the scarf acquires volume.
Attention! It is not recommended to artificially fluff Orenburg scarves, cobwebs and stoles.
This measure will greatly reduce their service life.
The natural palette includes several shades of white, gray and almost black. Other colors are obtained by adding chemical and natural dyes.
Due to the thinness of the threads, the yarn consumption for the product is minimal. For example, for 2 scarves you will need about 300 grams. yarn.
The more openwork the knitting and the thicker the knitting needles, the less material will be required for the product.
Composition of different types of scarves
What is a simple scarf made from?
The thickest is a simple scarf.
It is knitted from a relatively thick gray or white thread. Cotton is used for the base.
Sometimes other types are used, but since it is knitted in garter stitch in one piece and decorated only with openwork teeth, too thin yarn is not needed. The main task of such a scarf is to warm the owner every day, protecting her from colds and radiculitis.
What are cobwebs and stoles made of?
Cobwebs and stoles are made using the openwork knitting technique from fine yarn. During its manufacture, the fluff was strained on silk or viscose base.
In recent years, synthetic threads have begun to be used for warps.They give strength and prevent the product from losing shape and deforming after washing.
Interesting Facts
- A real Orenburg scarf can be pulled through a ring and placed in a goose egg shell.
- In October, the traditional Days of the Orenburg Down Shawl and an event dedicated to Intercession Day are held. At this time, women dress up in the finest masterpieces of down-knitting crafts, and men try to give their beloved a scarf or shawl.
- The largest Orenburg down scarf has an area of 400 square meters. m.
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