DK Travel : Crete : Traditional Crafts

Crete : Traditional Crafts

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1. Weaving

Traditional hand looms are still in use, made by skilled craftsmen from cypress, walnut or mulberry wood.
2. Embroidery

Rethymno was a major centre for embroidery, a skill introduced to Crete in the Byzantine era.
3. Spinning

Older village women still spin wool into yarn using a spindle and distaff – a skill that hasn’t changed since the time of the Minoans.
4. Dyeing

Dyes are still made from shellfish (purple), madder root (red), walnut shells (dark brown), olive or pomegranate leaves (green), and crocus, marigold or narcissus (yellow).
5. Church Embroidery

Crete’s Orthodox monks and nuns embellish sumptuous church vestments with gold, silver and silk stitching.
6. Wood Carving

Olive, cypress and mulberry yield a hard wood loved by skilled Cretan carpenters.
7. Leatherwork

Everything from shepherds’ boots and mule harnesses to satchels, handbags and sheepskin garments.
8. Silversmithing

Silver jewellery and religious objects such as icon frames and crucifixes.
9. Lace

Silk kopaneli lace is made by bobbin weaving, a skill revived in Gavalochori.
10. Antique Weapons

The Cretan pallikar (warriorhero) loved highly decorated weapons. Authentic antique weapons are highly valued.