Alexander Nevski Square Street Vendors, Sofia

What to buy here: Traditional knits and embroideries – Here are two crafts, which are about to disappear as nowadays only grannies still take the time to create themselves a napkin for their beloved nephew or a handkerchief for their niece. If you do not have the basic knowledge how to crochet-knit or stitch then you have few possibilities: find a granny who is willing to teach you, look for an appropriate book, look up the information on internet or (and this is your last possibility) just buy a crochet hook knitted piece or a fabulous embroidery.

In the very city center of Sofia, just next to the biggest Cathedral you will find many old women sitting there and knitting and embroidering all day. You won't see however fashion skirts or pullovers, but all kinds of blankets, tablecloths, traditional napkins, handkerchiefs many of them decorated with the “Bulgarian style embroidery with lace” with red or green yarns. Many of the ornaments are similar to those of other Slavonic people – geometrical, floral and animal ornaments, straight or undulating lines, knitted or sewed on white cotton or hemp canvas or silk canvases. Threads and stitches also differ depending on the item created, common being cotton, silk and even yarns with gold or silver fibers. Rest assured that regardless of the item you purchase, the chances are really high that your acquisition is something truly unique and unrepeatable. Few have been the cases when two blankets were completely similar. The most common color used for knitting and embroidering is red, largely regarded in Bulgaria as a symbol of good health and well-being. Best place for buying embroideries and different kinds of knits is the square in front of the Cathedral. These grannies sell only handmade stuff. They are very polite and often give a good price after a short negotiation especially if you are the first client for the day.