Elma Trankalis (married name Bruzis) with her third grade class near Leipaja, Latvia, 1933. Elma to the left of the teacher, first on left in middle row.
Traditional Latvian mittens created by ethnic Latvian and accomplished weaver Biruta Friemanis of Calgary, Alberta. Latvians have been knitting and weaving for so long that archaelogists have found mittens dating ten centuries back! The multicoloured fringe on the top mitten is a motif common to the Vidzeme Region but the colour choices are common to Latgale. Floral patterns are most commonly used in Kurzeme and Vidzeme.