MATTILDE KNITWEAR at the Great Latvian Crafts Fair 2026

For centuries, knitting has been part of everyday life. What began as a practical way of making clothing gradually became a craft that people continue to practise today. Although historians do not know exactly where or when knitting first appeared, some of the oldest surviving knitted fragments have been discovered in Egypt, while other theories suggest that knitting may have developed in the Middle East before gradually spreading across Europe. In Latvia, the earliest evidence of knitting dates back to the 14th century.

Over time, knitting became an important part of craftsmanship in many countries, including Latvia. Even today, handmade work and traditional skills remain closely connected to Latvian culture.

That is one of the reasons why thousands of visitors attend the Great Latvian Crafts Fair at the Latvian Ethnographic Open-Air Museum every year. The fair is the largest event of its kind in Latvia and brings together hundreds of artisans from across the country. This year it will take place on 6–7 June.

The fair takes place at the Latvian Ethnographic Open-Air Museum, located on the shores of Lake Jugla near Riga. Founded in 1924, it is one of the oldest museums of its kind in Europe and home to Latvia's largest collection of ethnographic artefacts. Visitors can explore more than one hundred historic buildings brought from different regions of Latvia, some dating back to the late 17th century.

Taking part in the fair is not guaranteed. Every year, artisans and producers submit applications together with information about their work. An independent selection committee reviews all applications and selects around 500 participants from across Latvia.

MATTILDE KNITWEAR has been among the selected participants for more than ten years and will once again be part of the fair in 2026.

MATTILDE KNITWEAR is a Latvian knitwear brand built on careful handwork, natural materials and original design. We work with a blend of kid mohair and silk to create lightweight, soft and long-lasting knitwear.

Visitors to the fair will have the opportunity to see a wide selection of our knitwear in person, learn more about the materials we use and discover how our garments are made. For us, conversations with visitors are one of the most enjoyable parts of the event.

The Great Latvian Crafts Fair is important to us because it brings together people who appreciate craftsmanship, handmade work and products made in Latvia. Over the years, many of our customers have made it a tradition to visit the fair and stop by our stand. It is always a pleasure to meet familiar faces, hear how our knitwear has become part of everyday life and share our newest work with both returning and first-time visitors.

We are pleased to be part of the fair once again.