Scandinavian Textiles: Articles, Exhibits, News
Online Presentations
North House Folk School presented fiber-related programs as part of their Crafting in Place series
Two Scandinavian-connected webinars were presented through North House Folk School in February. Be sure to check their whole line-up of interesting Crafting in Place presentations.
Tina Sovkina presented a webinar for North House Folk School, Saami Textile Traditions of the Russian Kola Peninsula. Tina Sovkina is a cultural teacher and advocate for the Kola Saami people, whose homeland is in the far north-western reaches of Russia. She shared stories and images of the traditional dress and textile practices of the indigenous people of the Arctic, as well as her efforts to promote, protect and preserve the culture of her people. (Aired on Friday, February 18, 2022).
Annemor Sundbø discussed Norwegian Spelsau sheep, known to fiber enthusiasts the world over for its unique properties and significance in Viking and Norwegian history. Norwegian Spelsau: Reflections on Lustrous Wool. (Aired Friday, February 18, 2022).
Upcoming Zoom Presentation
Valley Grove Project: Contemporary Billedvev Tapestry Weaving. From the description: “Two beautiful churches, one in stone and one painted white, sit atop a hill near Nerstrand, Minnesota. Valley Grove Church was founded in the 1860s by Norwegian immigrants. Today the buildings and surrounding oak savannah prairie are restored and maintained by the Valley Grove Preservation Society. With a grant from the Nordic Churches Project, the Society commissioned Robbie LaFleur to weave four tapestries for the small stone church, in the spirit and style of traditional Norwegian billedvev (tapestry). How will she honor in yarn the founding immigrants, the land, important plants and animals, and the buildings? Join this progress report with Robbie and plan to see the tapestries in person at Valley Grove next summer.” Wednesday, March 23 (7:00-8:00 pm CT). Free.
Exhibit
A popular exhibit of knitted mittens at Norway House in Minneapolis has been extended to March 13, 2022. From the website: “Norway has a long, rich history of warm knits and fiber art. Strikkekos is an expression of our love for the knitters in our community, featuring around 30 different Norwegian and Nordic mitten styles made by volunteer knitters from across the Midwest. This exhibit, co-curated with resident knitting mistress, Karen Weiberg—who is a part of a weekly knitting group at Norway House—is based on mitten designs from Nina Granlund Sæther’s book, Mittens From Around Norway. Each pair of mittens will be displayed along with information about the pattern.”
Scandinavian Fiber Classes
Vesterheim Folk Art School has announced upcoming online and in-person classes from April-June. Check out the Weaving category and the broader Fiber Arts category. (And keep checking; more in-person Norwegian weaving courses are returning later this year!)
North House Folk School has a rich selection of fiber classes; check them all here. Some classes with a Scandinavian connection include: Skinnfeller: Norwegian Printed Sheepskins; Rings True Sámi Mitten (online); and Melba Granlund’s Rya Weaving on Tabletop Warp-Weighted Loom.