Let's celebrate Summer Solstice together

Līgo un Jāņi is an annual Latvian festival celebrating the summer solstice. Although astronomically, the solstice falls on 21 or 22 June, the public holidays - Līgo Day and Jāņi Day - are on the 23rd and 24th of June. 

A tradition that's very much alive today is making a flower crown - a symbol of beauty. Traditionally the crowns had to be made of wildflowers, but these days anything goes. It is believed that crowns braided with twenty-seven flowers and herbs prevent disasters and diseases and repel enemies.

We invite you to participate in our flower crown challenge to embrace the festive spirit. Like knitting, making a flower crown is creative and soothing. 

Here are a few ways how to make a flower crown: 

• https://sayyes.com/2014/07/how-to-make-a-flower-crown-two-ways
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lMo1oqxZEpc
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kVsA_LcuHOQ

We will select and "crown" (pun intended) the most impressive flower crown at the end of the challenge and award a gift voucher to use in your favourite knitting shop!

To enter, post a photo of your flower crown, WIP or finished wearing on your head before the end of 25th of June (23:59 BST) either on Instagram, Facebook or on Ravelry.

If sharing on Social Media, use the hashtag #ligowithzaneteknits and mention the @zaneteknits account!

For more fun:

• Join us on Instagram or Facebook to explore more about the Latvian summer solstice traditions. We'll be running daily interactive quizzes about the topic so that you can learn some fascinating new things about the culture! 
• Help us in recreating the connection with nature with a "Knitting in Nature" challenge on social media. Share your knitting-in-nature adventures with us by posting photos and stories using the hashtag #ligowithzaneteknits. We'll join in too, and we can't wait to see what you share! We will reshare your posts/stories to inspire others. 
  
  
  

It's a special week for us for another reason, too. It was this week four years ago when our very first Zanete Knits pattern was published: Not a boring sweater! Since then, we've created well over fifty unique designs and going strong.

So, we're celebrating all week, and you get 20% off any self-published pattern until the end of the day on 25th June(23:59 BST). To claim your discount, use code LIGO at checkout on Ravelry or zaneteknits.com. 

We hope you will join us in the celebrations and share your traditions, too!

Here is more info about the summer solstice in Latvia if you're curious: https://www.latvia.travel/en/summer-solstice-celebrations

Priecīgus Līgo!