Review by Jan Mostrom

Krokbragd: Contemporary Weaving with Colour, by Angie Parker. Crowood Press, 2025. ISBN: 9780719844669

Angie Parker’s “Krokbragd: Contemporary Weaving with Colour” is filled with photos showcasing Parker’s playful, unexpected and gorgeous color combinations. Having worked with krokbragd since the 1990s in her Bristol, England studio, Parker has refined her contemporary approach through her textile business and teaching practice. This book offers a bridge between historical authenticity and modern expression.

Parker provides historical background on krokbragd in Norway and its evolution both in Scandinavia and internationally. The inclusion of work by contemporary practitioners like Karin Bøe from Norway, Petra Marciniak from France, and American weavers Robbie LaFleur, Wynne Mattila, and Jan Mostrom demonstrates how this technique continues to inspire weavers worldwide.

Instruction covers everything from equipment selection to loom setup for both harness and rigid heddle looms. Parker discusses suitable materials, expanding beyond traditional wool weft to include cotton, chenille, rayon, metallics, raffia, and fabric strips. The detailed instructions are complemented by numerous woven samples with designs graphed onto hexagon graph paper proving especially helpful in visualizing how the treadling order creates the characteristic angled threads within each pass. A variety of warp setts for different weft materials are given.  Instructions for neat selvedges while using floating selvedges address the specifics of krokbragd edges. Finishing instructions for durable hems and tassels provide practical weaving tools. The troubleshooting section addresses common challenges like maintaining tight tension, using temples effectively, and preventing curling when the piece is removed from the loom.   

Parker’s color theory chapter begins with fundamental principles of hue, value, and saturation before encouraging readers to trust their instincts and weave with colors that bring personal joy. She suggests using color wraps to audition yarns. Symmetry, asymmetry, and proportion, and a clear explanation of the relationship of Fibonacci sequence and the golden ratio are discussed as design tools. Parker includes innovative design techniques. Weaving inlays of contrasting color and/or pattern sections within the weaving and shaft switching to change between single and double krokbragd threadings as you weave, create design options that extend beyond traditional patterns.

While Parker’s teacher voice comes through in her careful instructions making the book accessible to newcomers, this is not just a beginner text. As someone who has woven and taught krokbragd for many years, I discovered helpful tips, methods, and inspiration. The book offers a progression of techniques that would allow a newer weaver to build skills confidently while providing enough innovation to keep experienced weavers engaged and challenged.

This book will inspire me to be more adventurous with my color choices and material selection. I’m looking forward to weaving a rug using Parker’s techniques for creating beautiful hems, experimenting with cotton on a close-sett warp for upholstery or bags, and exploring the inlay technique. The shaft switching method she describes is at the top of my list for future projects.

Krokbragd: Contemporary Weaving with Colour succeeds in honoring the rich Scandinavian heritage of krokbragd while pushing its boundaries into contemporary applications, allowing for personal expression and innovation. Whether you are just beginning your krokbragd journey or have been weaving for decades, Parker’s approach will inspire you to see new possibilities in this beloved Scandinavian weaving tradition. 

Jan Mostrom learned to weave from Lila Nelson at Luther College.  Her weaving journey led her to teaching and being a part of the Scandinavian Weavers Study Group for 30 years. She has been a regular instructor at Vesterheim and has taught at a variety of guilds, art centers and conferences.  Along with her friend Janis Aune, she taught a group of women in Tanzania to weave rag rugs to support their families. Creating textiles is a constant part of her life and she seldom spends a day without yarn in her hands.