Folk Applied Arts Studio “Irbi”

The folk applied arts studio “Irbi”, founded in 1977 under the leadership of Austra Skutule and led since 2017 by Baiba Pilāne, preserves traditional Latvian handicraft practices, especially knitting, which unites participants of different ages and skill levels. The studio produces both traditional and contemporary knitted items — mittens, garments, and accessories — studies ancient patterns from museum samples and magazines, and participants regularly improve their skills in masterclasses and other projects. The studio’s works are exhibited in summer exhibitions at the “Iļģuciems” Cultural Centre, published in magazines, included in the collections of the Latvian National History Museum and the Ethnographic Open‑Air Museum, and purchased in Denmark, Sweden, and Japan.