Martenitsa

Martenitsa

With the end of February - and the sighting of a swallow or blossoming tree - comes the promise of springtime and the festival of Baba Marta or 'Grandmother March Day', a centuries old tradition, celebrated throughout Bulgaria.

To banish winter and promote happiness and prosperity, these yarn adornments - known as Martenitsa - are made and gifted to friends and loved ones to be worn for a month, beginning on Baba Marta day. On March 1st, they are pinned to lapels or tied to the wrist, then, when the first stork or new leaf is seen, the Martenitsa are tied to that tree.

Created in playful shapes and contrasting yarns which symbolize the circle of life, Martenitsa are both simple to make and a welcome reminder of what lies beyond the dark, wintry days. An altogether uplifting talisman to celebrate the oncoming spring.

Click here to read more about Baba Marta and our designer's stories of growing up with the tradition of Martenitsa.

YOU'LL NEED:
  • Red and White Yarn
  • 4 x bulldog clips
  • A pencil
  • Scissors
  • Card A4 x 1mm
  • A ruler
  • Tweezers
  • Safety pins
  • A cutting mat & X-acto knife (optional)
Bracelet Step One
Bracelet Step One

Cut about 20" (50cm) of both red and white yarn. This is a good length as it can be used for a few bracelets or other martenitsa variations.
Bracelet Step Two
Bracelet Step Two

Attach both ends of each yarn to something (e.g a board or table) using the bulldog clips. Once one end is secure, pull the other to make sure the strings are straight and have a tiny bit of tension. Then mount the other ends, again with bull dog clips. Make sure you also leave around 6" (15cm) of excess yarn at either end.
Bracelet Step Three
Bracelet Step Three

Once the yarns are in place, un-clip one end (of either color) and start twisting clockwise until the thread wants to twist on its own. When it gets to this point, pull on it slightly to make sure it stays straight. Attach the yarn with the clip again. Repeat this process with the other color of yarn.
Bracelet Step Four
Bracelet Step Four

When both threads are properly twisted and attached back with the bull dog clips, take the untwisted, excess yarn at one end and tie the red and white yarns together.
Bracelet Step Five
Bracelet Step Five

Place a pencil by the knot between the red and white threads. Pull to make sure the tension is kept and release the bull dog clips.
Bracelet Step Six
Bracelet Step Six

Start twisting both threads by turning the pencil anti-clockwise. Keep the tension with the pencil as you twist the entire length of the yarn, making sure all is equally neat. You can regulate the tension by moving the pencil either towards or away from the twist, this way you can control it and make sure it doesn't become too tight or too loose.
Bracelet Step Seven
Bracelet Step Seven

When the entire length of the yarn is twisted you can release the bull dog clips. At this point the rope is done. You can now make a second knot on the other end to keep the twist and tension in place. Job done!
Bracelet Step Eight
Bracelet Step Eight

Tie it around the wrists of friends and love ones!
Tassels Step One
Tassels Step One

Cut a piece of card to 4" x 4" (10 x 10cm). This way you know that the maximum length of your tassel will be a bit less than 4". It also means you can shorten it to anything less than 4". To make a larger one, simply make sure the size of the card you cut is bigger than the size of the tassel you'd like to create. To begin with however, 4" x 4" is a good, comfortable size to work from.
Tassels Step Two
Tassels Step Two

Start winding the red or the white yarn around the card, making about 20 - 50 revolutions. When you have finished winding, snip the end of the yarn.
Tassels Step Three
Tassels Step Three

Cut about 8" (20cm) of your bracelet rope.
Tassels Step Four
Tassels Step Four

Thread the rope underneath the wrapped yarn in the middle of the card and make a knot.
Tassels Step Five
Tassels Step Five

Turn the card over and snip through the middle of the wrapped yarn.
Tassels Step Six
Tassels Step Six

Pick up the bundle by the twisted rope and stroke down to make a neat lock of yarn.
Tassels Step Seven
Tassels Step Seven

Take a piece of yarn in the color you have not yet used. Traditionally red tassels are tied with white threads and vice-versa. Feel free not to follow this if you prefer, but the contrast does look effective!
Tassels Step Eight
Tassels Step Eight

Tie the yarn thread around the tassel at the top to form the "head". The smaller you make the head the smaller the whole martenitsa can be.
Tassels Step Nine
Tassels Step Nine

Trim the end of the twisted yarn close to the knot, as well as the yarn around the head to neaten. Lastly trim the yarn at the bottom of your tassel to the desired length, making sure all the threads are even.
Once the one is done, repeat the same process in the opposite colors!
Tassels Step Ten
Tassels Step Ten

To finish, tie both the red and white tassels together by their twisted ropes, making a nice knot with a bow.
Tassels Step Eleven
Tassels Step Eleven

Use a safety pin and attach to coats and jumpers of family and friends!
Puppets Step One
Puppets Step One

Cut a piece of card to 4" x 4" (10 x 10cm). This way you know the maximum length of the martenitsa doll will be slightly less than 4". It also means you can shorten it to anything less than 4". To make a larger one, simply make sure the size of the card you cut is bigger than the size of the doll you'd like to create. To begin with however, 4" x 4" is a good, comfortable size to work from.
Puppets Step Two
Puppets Step Two

Wind the red or the white yarn around the card, making about 20 - 50 revolutions. When you have finished winding, snip the end of the yarn.
Puppets Step Three
Puppets Step Three

Cut about 8" (20cm) of your bracelet rope.
Puppets Step Four
Puppets Step Four

Thread the rope underneath the wrapped yarn in the middle of the card and make a knot.
Puppets Step Five
Puppets Step Five

Turn the card over and snip through the middle of the wrapped yarn
Puppets Step Six
Puppets Step Six

Pick up the bundle by the rope and stroke down to make a neat lock of yarn.
Puppets Step Seven
Puppets Step Seven

Take a piece of yarn in the color you have not yet used. Traditionally red dolls are tied with white threads and vice-versa. Feel free not to follow this if you prefer, but the contrast does look effective!
Puppets Step Eight
Puppets Step Eight

Tie the yarn around the tassel at the top to form the "head". The smaller you make the head the smaller the whole martenitsa can be. Use the same color you've used for the head to tie arms, waist and legs in this order. This is for the male puppet; the only difference between male and female is that the female puppet doesn't have legs. The yarn under the waist should be left to form a "skirt".
Puppets Step Nine
Puppets Step Nine

Trim all loose threads (on the head, arms, waist and legs) close to the knots to neaten. Lastly, trim all the yarn ends after the knots, making sure they are all the same length. Once this is done, repeat the process using the yarn in the opposite colours.
Puppets Step Ten
Puppets Step Ten

To finish, tie both the red and white tassels together by their twisted ropes, making a nice knot with a bow.
Puppets Step Eleven
Puppets Step Eleven

Use a safety pin and attach to the coats and jumpers of family and friends!
Pom-Poms Step One
Pom-Poms Step One

Cut a piece of card to 4" x 4" (10 x 10 cm). This way you know that the maximum size of your pom-pom will be a bit less than 4". It also means you can shorten it to anything less than 4". To make a larger one, simply make sure the size of the card you cut is bigger than the size of the pom-pom you'd like to create. To begin with however, 4" x 4" is a good, comfortable size to work from.
Pom-Poms Step Two
Pom-Poms Step Two

Using the knife, cut a rectangle from the middle of the card. Around 2" x 1" (6 x 3cm) in size.
Pom-Poms Step Three
Pom-Poms Step Three

Using one of the balls of yarn, make 50 revolutions around the card, overlapping the rectangular hole. Once this is done, cut the yarn and repeat the process with the other color of yarn. You should end up with 100 loops of both red and white yarn around the card.
Pom-Poms Step Four
Pom-Poms Step Four

Cut about 8" (20cm) of your bracelet rope.
Pom-Poms Step Five
Pom-Poms Step Five

Use the red and white rope to loop around the entire bundle of yarn and through the rectangular hole in the card. Make a tight knot and trim one of the two ropes close to the knot.
Pom-Poms Step Six
Pom-Poms Step Six

Cut through the entire bundle of yarn at both ends, along the edges of the card.
Pom-Poms Step Seven
Pom-Poms Step Seven

Use the scissors to trim the pom-pom to a nice rounded shape.
Pom-Poms Step Eight
Pom-Poms Step Eight

When you're happy with the shape - its done!
Pom-Poms Step Nine
Pom-Poms Step Nine

Repeat the same process for the second pom-pom, then tie the two together using the twisted rope, knotted in a bow.
Pom-Poms Step Ten
Pom-Poms Step Ten

Use a pin and attach to the coats and jumpers of family and friends!

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