A pavuk is a traditional Ukrainian Christmas decoration, woven from rye straw at a shared table on a winter evening. Made with Ukrainian brand PAVUK, this set includes everything you need to make your own "Winter Diamond" pavuk, with tassels in the Kyiv Independent's signature blue, created especially for this collaboration. Hang it in your home — and see why generations of Ukrainians have believed pavuks protect the home and everyone living in it.
Each set also includes five handmade snowflake ornaments made from Ukrainian rye, ready to hang on your Christmas tree or around the pavuk.
Only 50 sets available. Handmade in Ukraine from hand-harvested rye.
Members of the Kyiv Independent community get 15% off. Join our community here.
These pieces are delicate, so store and clean them with care.
Storage: Store in a cool, dry place, out of direct sunlight.
Cleaning: If cleaning is needed, gently shake off any dust, or use a soft, dry cloth or brush.
Caution: The rye stems used to make the ornaments can warp if exposed to high humidity.
Please note that since these sets are shipped from Ukraine, shipping is more expensive than for other items in our store. Shipping is handled with care by Nova Post, Ukraine's largest private delivery company.
Many countries apply VAT on international shipments from Ukraine. VAT rates vary by country.
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Delivery times:
Please note
This product is shipped from Ukraine. VAT and customs duties may apply upon delivery.
At Christmas, Ukrainians have long hung pavuks, delicate decorative mobiles woven from rye straw, in their homes. 'Pavuk' literally means 'spider,' and its geometric web was believed to mirror the structure of the universe. Pavuks were made across Ukraine, from Polissia and Kyiv Oblast to Bukovyna and the Carpathians, and in some villages, the tradition never stopped.
Each pavuk is made of diamond-shaped elements woven from rye straw, which are stronger and last longer than those of other plants. Families hung pavuks from a ceiling beam, above household icons or in a window, often on a single horsehair. The slightest draft, or the warmth of a candle, would set the pavuk spinning as if it were alive, and its gentle movement was believed to protect the home and everyone in it. In many places, the pavuk would stay up until the Christmas fest of Epiphany, celebrated on Jan. 6, when it was burned to carry away the bad energy it had absorbed.
Not every family burned its pavuk. In many homes, it hung for years and was decorated over time with little straw angels and stars, or with pysanky, traditional decorated eggs, at Easter. The handmade ornaments in each of our limited-edition sets carry on that custom. With Ukrainian brand PAVUK, we are bringing the pavuk tradition to your table, so you can keep this Ukrainian craft alive this winter.
PAVUK is a Ukrainian brand founded in 2023 by Tetiana Poddubna. It creates handmade Christmas decorations and DIY kits, runs workshops, and makes photo and video tutorials.
Tetiana was inspired by winter evenings at her grandmother Kateryna's house: the power out, one wax candle, a neighbor over, the table covered in rye stems. Tetiana's grandmother had sown, harvested, dried, and cut the rye herself, and on winter evenings, they would sort the stems, cut them to length, and weave pavuks together, talking all evening.
Now, Tetiana aims to share this experience with people all over the world. City life leaves little time to grow and dry rye, so PAVUK prepares the stems for you. All you need to add is a few hours with your loved ones.
