It’s worth celebrating the fact that we are no longer isolated at our looms and tethered only to classes via zoom. A full seven articles in the new issue of the Norwegian Textile Letter describe post-pandemic travel and study in person – to Norway, Sweden, and Iceland.

The biennial Vesterheim Textile tour was cancelled once, but resumed this year with a trip to England and Norway. Edi Thorstensson wrote, “How precarious it felt, for some of us, to venture overseas after the pandemic, to take a chance that all would be safe and good.” And it was all good! Read: “From England to Norway: The 2023 Vesterheim Textile Study Tour.”

Kitchen interior and view to the water at Astruptunet.

Eight lucky Minnesota weavers spent a beautiful week in May learning Norwegian weaving techniques under the guidance of master teacher Ingebjørg Monsen. Read: “Bergen Husflidslag: Finding the Pleasure in Weaving.” Peg Hanson spent late nights at the loom as she wove (and sometimes unwove) a wool blanket. See: “Burning the Midnight Oil in Bergen.”

Two weavers designed personal study agendas in Sweden. Christine Novotny concentrated on “Rölakan Rug weaving in Sweden” with master weaver Ulla Parkdal. Nancy Gossell planned concentrated weaving at a traditional Swedish Vävstugo. Read: “A Weaver’s Dream: The Weaving House in Tyngsryd.”

So many looms at the vävstugo, and Nancy Gossll used several of them.

Icelandic landscape was a factor in two articles. During Rebecca Mezoff’s weaving residency in Iceland, she interpreted an Icelandic black sand beach in tapestry. See “Spinning and Weaving in Iceland.” Nancy Ebner’s nature-viewing trip to Iceland proved that every trip can be a textile tour. She shares her museum visit in “A Visit to the Icelandic Textile Museum.”

You’ll find even more to read in “Nordic News and Notes: October 2023.” How can you resist a tale of “Kleptokatta Siri,” who has an affinity for wool?

Thank you to everyone who helps support the Norwegian Textile Letter with donations to cover expenses. Your financial support is crucial; an end-of-the-year donation would be much appreciated. Thank you for being a subscriber. 

Robbie LaFleur

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