Language/Finnish/Culture/Finnish-Traditional-Crafts

Finnish → Culture → Finnish Traditional Crafts

Finland is a country with a rich history of traditional crafts. These crafts were often passed down from generation to generation and remained an important part of Finnish culture for centuries. In this lesson, you will learn about some of the most important traditional crafts in Finland.

Once you've mastered this lesson, take a look at these related pages: Finnish Cuisine & Finnish Holidays and Festivals.

Weaving

Weaving is an ancient art that has been practiced in Finland for over 2000 years. Finnish weavers are known for their intricate designs and use of natural materials such as wool, linen, and flax. Traditional Finnish designs often feature geometric patterns and bright colors. Finnish weavers were also known for their tapestries, which were used as wall hangings and bedspreads.

One famous example of Finnish weaving is the ryijy, a type of woolen rug. Ryijys were often made as wedding gifts and were believed to bring good luck to the couple.

Finnish	Pronunciation	English Translation
ryijy	['ryijy]	woolen rug
kangaspuut	['kɑŋɑspuːt]	loom

Knitting

Knitting is another popular traditional craft in Finland. Finnish knitters are known for their use of intricate patterns and bright colors. Knitting is particularly popular in the winter months when it is cold outside.

One famous example of Finnish knitting is the huopatossu, a type of felted woolen slipper. Huopatossus are made by felting wool, which creates a dense, warm fabric that is perfect for keeping feet warm on cold winter days.

Finnish	Pronunciation	English Translation
huopatossu	['huopɑtɔssu]	felted slipper
sukka	['sukːɑ]	sock

Woodworking

Woodworking is a craft that has a long history in Finland. Finnish woodworkers are known for their skill in crafting beautiful and functional objects using traditional tools and techniques. Common items made by Finnish woodworkers include furniture, bowls, and spoons.

One famous example of Finnish woodworking is the kuksa, a type of wooden cup. Kuksas are made by carving a cup-shaped bowl out of wood and attaching a wooden handle. Traditionally, kuksas were used by the Sami people for drinking coffee and tea.

Finnish	Pronunciation	English Translation
kuksa	['kuksɑ]	wooden cup
veitsi	['veis̠ti]	knife

Conclusion

Traditional Finnish crafts are an important part of Finnish culture and history. Weaving, knitting, and woodworking are just a few examples of the many crafts that have been practiced in Finland for centuries. By learning about these crafts, we can gain a deeper appreciation for Finnish culture and the creativity and skill of Finnish artisans.

Sources

• <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Finnish_folk_art">Finnish Folk Art</a>
• <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karelian_birch">Karelian Birch</a>

Great work on completing this lesson! Take a moment to investigate these connected pages: Finnish Music & Finnish Sauna.

Sources

• Lapland – home of finnish handicrafts, art and design
• 16 Distinctively Finnish Things to Buy in Helsinki

Other Lessons

• Finnish Contemporary Literature
• Finnish Music and Arts
• Finnish Cuisine
• Finnish Holidays and Festivals
• Finnish Film Industry
• Finnish Society and Values
• Finnish Folk Music and Dance
• Finnish Sauna
• Finland Timeline