DOTTKA FOLK Podhale parzenica

Dottka Folk are sensory lacing sets — handicraft inspired by Polish folklore, designed for everyone.
It is a lacing toy that develops fine motor skills — the sure functioning of hands, palms and fingers — along with logical thinking and hand–eye coordination. From the very first days with Dottka the movements become more precise and increasingly complex tasks become possible. Working with Dottka products, a child or an adult learns to control the movements of the fingers and the hand, handles the object consciously and develops hand–eye coordination and spatial imagination. As these abilities deepen, they become more and more independent. Dottka improves manual dexterity and teaches patience. It is excellent dexterity training for the hands and it exercises the memory.
The parzenica — one of the most recognisable symbols of the Polish highlanders.
The name probably comes from the word parznąć, parznić, meaning to soil. The same word was used for the wooden moulds used to press cheese and for heart-shaped carved ornaments. The parzenica pattern most likely reached Poland from Hungary. In the second half of the nineteenth century parzenice were simple cord loops that reinforced the slits — the “przypory” — at the front of cloth trousers. At first they were purely practical, protecting the fabric from fraying. The modern form of the parzenica is the work of tailors who began using red or navy cord and increased the number of loops. Appliqué was replaced by embroidery, and the availability of coloured wool enriched the palette. The closer the highlanders live to the Tatras, the darker and larger their parzenice.

This original, creative lacing set is sure to make an excellent present for anyone. We have taken care over the quality of Dottka products, designed and thought through to give pleasure and to develop.

Our products are safe and ecological. Designed and made in Poland.

We use templates cut from hardwood plywood, cotton laces and practical, reusable cardboard packaging. We insist on high-quality natural materials and good design.
We want to inspire — and also to teach, develop and educate.

Every set contains picture instructions for the basic movements of the Dottka technique and a suggestion for working the Podhale parzenica.

We recommend Dottka Folk sets for children over the age of eight and for adults of any age.