On the way, I popped into some other things that interests me, like antique stores...
Beautiful stuff in this one, but a bit pricy, a lot of old toys though if that's your thing.
Here I am, the second yarn store Menita.
Menita is supposed to be the LYS which got the biggest collection in Helsinki. They have yarn from different nordic countries, Norway, Finland, Estonia, etc. They also hold some more international brands, like Rowan, Debbie Bliss, etc. I got a few cheap balls of sock yarns. Sock yarns are always the best 'souvenir yarn'. You know exactly what kind of project you are going to use that (socks!), they are small and you will always remember the destination whenever you wear the socks.
This trip is not just ALL about yarn, I did visit some churches...
Then, I went on to the National Museum of Finland. There are a few interesting items I want to share with you.
These jewellery are made with wires. They kind of roll the wires into balls and put them in together like beads, very interesting concept.
These jewellery are made with wires. They kind of roll the wires into balls and put them in together like beads, very interesting concept.
Of course, as we know, spindle has been there for a long time, look at these from the Viking time.
Carder from the Viking time...
That's how the women supposed to look like. I wonder if she is a spinner too?
Very beautiful fashion back then if you ask me, here is the male outfit of the same period...
I realise the nordic people have a thing to metalworks. Look at these beautiful craftmanship...
Here you got an ancient calendar...
Finland has been part from Russian, Sweden and Germany during different period of time in their history. Even with these beautiful jewellery, you will be able to see the different influences from all these cultures.
Beautiful stainedglass of the National Museum building...
...and the impressive ceiling...
On the second floor, you have the history of people, a section about how they live, work, play before.
As you spinners already know, spinning wheel is a very important object in our lives back then...
But spinning is more than just functional, look at these amazing distaffs, then you see what I mean...
...because sometimes the tools themselves are arts in their own rights.
Look at these felting board...
These lazy kates made modern version look like a joke...
At the end of the visit comes the souvenir shop time, there is something really funny I found in the shop. I saw that and I didn't understand what it was for. So I went to ask the lady at the counter. She told me this is a wool angel.
Will anyone of you know what a wool angel does? Coz if it will bring me more yarn if I put on the window or something, I will definitely do it.
While I was about to leave, I spotted the broken glass on the door and I went like, 'Jesus, someone got to fix it...' until I realised it is part of the exhibit!
The piece of glass was broken by a bullet during Finnish civil war.
(to be continued...)
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