Crin is one of Chile’s most distinctive folk crafts. In markets around the country you will find delicate forms, often taking the shape of insects, woven out of dyed horsehair. Despite its distribution around the country, almost all Crin originates from a small town called Rari.
Crin appeared mysteriously around 200 years ago, as local women found they could weave poplar roots into figures. After discovering the flexibility of horse hair they combined a Mexican plant fibre Ixtle which provided structural strength. It’s not clear why this technique emerged there in particular, but the town’s proximity to a spa resort meant that there was a ready market for cositas (little things).
Crin is made entirely by hand. No equipment is involved, even knitting needles. But unlike the chunky results of finger-knitting, crin is exquisitely fine.
As a folk craft, crin was rarely taken seriously. However, it is now finding a niche as a versatile, colourful and particularly Chilean component in the burgeoning new jewellery scene in Chile. But its recent success comes with complications.
Rari is a small town in southern Chile, near Linares, where the craft of making figures using woven horse hair, called Crin, has originated. This novel form of art has been passed down from mother to daughter for about 300 years. You can find colorful flowers, birds, butterflies, animals, and human figures all made of woven horse hair. These hand-made crafts are still produced one at a time and there are a few shops in Santiago that keep a good stock of Crin items. Of course,
