Bobbin lace in Florianópolis

Bobbin lace (renda de bilro) is one of the most traditional crafts of the Santa Catarina coast and stands out among the state’s handicrafts, according to Wikipedia. The technique came from Portugal with the immigrants and survived in the island’s communities, passed down from mother to daughter.

How it is made

The lace is produced by crossing threads over and over on a firm pillow, a cloth cylinder stuffed with straw or cotton. On top of it sits the pique (or pinicado), a card with the pattern marked out in tiny holes. The lacemaker sticks pins into the holes and braids the threads with the bobbins (bilros), small pieces of turned wood, according to Wikipedia. The clicking of the bobbins against each other is part of the villages’ memory.

Where to see and buy it

• Lagoa da Conceição: the avenue along the outer lagoon is called Avenida das Rendeiras (Lacemakers’ Avenue), a tribute to these craftswomen.
• The Public Market and the city’s craft fairs.
• Azorean villages such as Santo Antônio de Lisboa and Ribeirão da Ilha.

Keep reading

See Azorean culture and the witches of the Island of Magic.