Žemaitija, or the lowlands, is in the northwestern corner of Lithuania. It is often referred to as Samogitia in English-language publications. Traditionally known for dairy farming and its local rare breed of horse, the landscape consists for the most part of low rolling hills covered with pine forests, meadows, and pastures. Žemaitijans are known for being hard working, faithful, and stubborn. The area has been traditionally known for dairy farming and a rare breed of horse, and the people have honored handcrafts and folk art. Because the Lithuanians in this part of the country were so loyal to tradition and reluctant to adopt change, this was the last area in all of Europe to convert from paganism to Christianity. Even today, as you drive around the countryside, you can see examples of traditional wooden roadside shrines that feature both Christian and Pagan symbols.

Striped socks were popular for women in Žemaitija, as they were in Aukštaitija, and sometimes the stripes were made more complex with boxes knit inside wider stripes. This style might be made in wool for winter, or in linen for summer. Some- times the sole of the foot was made solid and knit separately from the top of the foot, so the toe, sole, and heel of the sock could be replace more easily than with a sock with a foot that had been knit all in one piece. Lace socks were also made out of linen yarn for summer wear, and I’ve used one such lace pattern for the cuff on these socks.