Summer 2025 (Part Two)

September 15, 2025

As always, the Scandinavian Weavers spent the summer volunteering, demonstrating the art of weaving at community events.

These included the Opening Day, Midsommar, and Spelmansstämman celebrations at Gammelgården in Scandia, Minnesota.

Focusing on history, art, culture, and agriculture, Gammelgården is the only open-air museum devoted to preserving, presenting, and promoting Swedish immigrant heritage in the United States.

Housed in six buildings on the historic gammelgården, or old farm, where the community of Scandia was first established, Gammelgården invites visitors to step back in time, experience the stories of Swedish immigrants, and relate them to their own family immigration stories.

Among the treasures at Gammelgården is a loom crafted in Sweden in 1879. The loom was built by a father whose daughter was getting married and immigrating to the United States. It was his parting gift to her. Judy Larson warped the loom in beautiful blue stripes, and it still weaves beautifully.

Another fun event was FinnFest, held in Duluth, Minnesota in August. Barb Yarusso demonstrated weaving and also gave a presentation on reconstructing her grandmother Alma’s rag rug. Lisa Bauch gave a talk called “Rugs, Raanu, and Rya: The Living Legacy of Finnish-American Weaving.”

*Mary in her popular booth at FinnFest.*

Mary Erickson demonstrated the art of himmeli and also participated in a panel discussion with fellow Nordic American folk craft artists. Himmeli, geometric figures made from straw, were originally created in Finland, Norway, Sweden, and Estonia, and functioned as good luck charms that were hung from the ceiling in homes to ensure good crops and the fertility of fields.

The art was brought to northern Minnesota by Finnish immigrants. Mary first studied himmeli making with Elna Hietala in Minnesota and later with Eija Koski in Finland. It is her hope that by teaching and sharing what she has learned that this tradition will continue. Her beginning course “The Geometry, Magic, and Beauty of Himmeli” will be held at North House Folk School in October.

Himmeli was traditionally made of rye straw, intricately braided.

Books by Mary’s teacher in Finland, Eija Koski.

Among the other displays at FinnFest were traditional hand carvings by Alan Anderson.

FinnFest, where Moomins are treated like rock stars!

*Judy Larson demonstrates weaving to a curious fairgoer.*

Of course, no Minnesota summer is complete without a trip to the Minnesota State Fair! As always, volunteers from the Weavers Guild of Minnesota were present for the entire Fair, from opening day to closing night. Demonstrations and talks took place in our new booth, centrally located in the Creative Arts Building.

Yours truly gave a talk on Nordic Weaving in Minnesota, with an emphasis on rag rug weaving. The Rag Rug Group brought in rugs in a variety of techniques to illustrate.