top of page

"Plukkebånd" Weaving Course + Updates!

Updated: Aug 28, 2021


Hello everyone!


I am so encouraged by the interest in my upcoming "plukkebånd" course!

It is going to be such an exciting new historic, Norwegian textile journey.


I have many things that I want to share with participants, but tonight I will touch on just a few thoughts that I had after our first Zoom Check-in discussion, last night.


We will have one additional Zoom Check-in information gathering next Thursday evening, August 19th at 9 pm Central European Summertime, before the course begins. If you are interested, and not already on the list, please do email me directly for the link and password to participate. This is a public post and I want, and must, maintain responsibility for the online safety of everyone. So, that information must be sent to everyone via email.


Backstrap Band Weaving

If you have chosen the back strap method as your approach to weaving traditional bands within the course, I want you to put a lot of thought into a proper supportive back strap.

A supportive posture is key to weaving enjoyment within this approach.

You want a wide, supportive strap.

Here is a guide or really an example (from Sweden - download below) for sewing your own back strap, in case you would like to make your own or simply have an example of what I mean.

There are commercial supportive back support straps that would be worth investigating.


As you will see, they have used a sturdy leather together with a heavy fabric, to create this wide, belt strap.

Of course the belt is woven, but again, this is only an example.

Your body and your posture creates the tension during the weaving.

You want to be comfortable.

I cannot stress enough how crucial this one piece of equipment is to your weaving success.

Hopefully you can find some bits and pieces at home to put something supportive together.

Band_belt_instructions
.pdf
Download PDF • 3.23MB

I took my heddle down to the lake with me today, to swim, sit awhile and weave.

I was reminded how important the back strap is to the process of beautiful weaving.


Rigid Heddle Weaving

I know that many of you are investing in a rigid heddle loom especially for the course. I want to ensure you, that in doing so, you will leave the course with the ability to use your loom fully, not only for band weaving. I will support you to move forward in the future to weave other projects, with interest.


A rigid heddle is a wonderful, modern replacement for the old Norwegian, vertical band looms, but they also offer you the joy of weaving other useful textiles after you have mastered weaving traditional Norsk bånd.

Most everything you need will be included with your rigid heddle kit, except the 15 dpi - 60/10 heddle reed.

One must have the correct heddle reed to match the weight of the thin, linen and wool used to weave narrow bands. Which we will be doing during this course.


Beginning yarn:

You will want to use an 8/4 or 8/2 cotton yarn to start the course. I hope that you will be able to find something inexpensive. I used an 8/4 cotton yarn which was approximately 50 grams to 175 meters. This is simply an everyday cotton yarn here in Norway and called a carpet warp cotton for weaving. This cotton yarn will not produce a narrow woven band. The band will be much wider. But beginning with cotton will allow you to gain much confidence with your tension and technique as you make a start. Although the bands we create in the beginning will be somewhat wider, they will be stunning and very useful!


We will discuss the beginning yarn and how to choose colours for your first beginning band during our upcoming information gathering.


Again, there is no rush! The course will begin with quite a bit of background knowledge and theory needed before we get to weaving that first Viking band.


Please do leave a comment below or contact me directly, if you have any additional questions or wonders. I am happy to support you in any way that I can!


Welcome to the course, with interest!


GOD HELG!


Warmest regards from the farm,

Patricia x




753 views20 comments
bottom of page