Tradition of bed-making
From ancient times, the village of Yavoriv in the Ivano-Frankivsk region, located in the Hutsul region, has been famous for its folk craftsmen. Here, the art of pysanka painting, embroidery, and wood carving are widespread. However, there is something special in the village of Yavoriv. These are "lizhnyky" - woven products made of sheep's wool, usually with a pattern, which have a fluffy pile on one or both sides.
They are also called Hutsul blankets. Lihznyky are common in everyday life: they are used to cover beds, benches, and to keep warm in winter. Lihznyky are warm, beautiful, and beneficial. They are made of natural wool, so they may be slightly "itchy". There is no need to be afraid of this, as this natural massage stimulates blood circulation and improves well-being.
No one from the locals can say exactly when lihznyky started to be made. Lihznyky production has been going on since ancient times. The origin of this tradition is closely related to sheep farming. This region used to have favorable conditions for keeping sheep, whose wool is the main material for lihznyky.
Nowadays, lihznyky are made to suit any taste: single, one and a half, and double beds, with intricate patterns, multicolored.
However, the first products were different from the modern ones. They were mostly monochrome - gray, white, black, or striped, also known as "samoridni". To make a wide lihznyk, several smaller ones had to be sewn together because the looms on which they were woven were half the width of modern ones. The current loom has a width of 1 meter.
Changes in lihznyk production began in the 1920s. Improvements in looms and weaving techniques made it possible to produce colored lihznyky. The most popular colors are white, green, red, and cherry. This marked the beginning of mass production of lihznyky, and the world began to learn about the art of lihznyk weaving. In the 1930s, lihznyky were exhibited abroad, including in America and Poland.
During the Soviet era, lihznyky with intricate patterns were woven in the production combines "Hutsulshchyna" in the city of Kosiv and in souvenir workshops in the villages of Yavoriv and Brustury. Every year, women would draw pictures and patterns, select the four or five best ones, and distribute them to craftsmen for production and replication.
Today, lihznyky with simple ornaments, such as cross-striped tricolor ones, are in greater demand. It is faster and easier to make such a lihznyk, so it is cheaper and more popular.
The popularity of lihznyky is not fading away, and many people are engaged in their production. In the village of Yavoriv, there are about 60 female craftsmen who constantly make lihznyky for sale. They bring them to the market in Kosiv every week or sell them through online stores.
