Scandinavian Weavers Study Group

Category: Norwegian weaving

  • “Vibrant Tradition” Extended!

    Photo by Lisa-Anne Bauch

    Great news! The Scandinavian Weavers exhibit “Vibrant Tradition: Scandinavian Weaving in the Midwest” has been extended at Norway House through Saturday, April 19.

    So many visitors have enjoyed our latest exhibit, featuring 49 contemporary and traditional weavings in the Scandinavian tradition, and we are thrilled to be invited to stay a little longer.

    Norway House is located at 913 E Franklin Ave in Minneapolis and features ample parking. While you’re there, stop by the Kaffebar for refreshments and be sure to visit ALSO Ingebretsen’s Gavebutikk, offering Norwegian-themed handcrafts, books, clothing, cookware, children’s items, jewelry, and more.

    The exhibit is free for members of the Weavers Guild of Minnesota and Norway House; all others $5. See the Norway House website for the building hours of operation:

    https://www.norwayhouse.org/

    Photo by Beth Detlie

    Norway House hosts continual programming for all ages, including language and craft classes, family activities, music, performances, and Hygge Happy Hours. On February 22 and March 22, volunteers from the Scandinavian Weavers presented Family Fiber Fun Days. The March event began with a group from a local retirement center, Becketwood. Residents were eager to try their hand at Peg Hansen’s handmade warp-weighted loom.

    Photo by Beth Detlie

    In all, more than 60 visitors sampled a variety of weaving activities. It turns out even tiny fingers can work an inkle loom!

    Photo by Peg Hansen

    The Family Fiber Day demonstrators (Beth Detlie, Nancy Ebner, Melba Granlund, Holly Hildebrandt, and Peg Hansen) gave away at least 10 frame looms with shuttles so visitors could finish weaving at home.

    Photo by Peg Hansen

    The Family Fiber Day demonstrators (Beth Detlie, Nancy Ebner, Melba Granlund, Holly Hildebrandt, and Peg Hansen) gave away at least 10 frame looms with shuttles so visitors could finish weaving at home.

  • Patty Kuebker Johnson: Shades of Red

    Patty Kuebker Johnson

    Shades of Red

    21″ x 12″

    Cotton warp and weft

    NFS

    colorcrossing.com

    Bio: Patty began her weaving journey in 1990 when she purchased a used Glimåkra loom and set up her own weaving studio. Her early projects were inspired by Mary Black’s book The Key to Weaving, and she later expanded her knowledge by attending various classes and conventions, such as those at The Weaver’s Guild of Minnesota, Vävstuga, Midwest Weavers , and Convergence®. Patty credits her progress and joy in weaving to the support and friendships of fellow weavers. Over the years, Patty has explored both simple and complex weaving structures, creating practical and decorative pieces for the home and personal attire. She finds constant inspiration in learning new techniques. Patty was a key figure in the creation of the Textile Center of Minnesota and continues to support the local fiber arts community through her involvement with the Weaver’s Guild of Minnesota, Phipps Center for the Arts, and as the owner of Color Crossing Artist Studios in Roberts, Wisconsin.

    Description: My first draw loom class was with Joanne Hall at Color Crossing, followed by a class at Vävstuga. “Shades of Red” is a study on color and changing the designs along the way. My goal was to expand my ability to design on the draw loom.

    Regarding the Scandinavian Weavers Study Group: The Scandinavian Weavers have enriched my weaving and personal life. Everyone is supportive in all ways. The members of the group help me explore various techniques I might otherwise not think about. I’m so blessed to be part of this fantastic group of weavers!

    pakj52@gmail.com

    Patty Johnson’s draw loom in her studio at Color Crossing in Roberts, Wisconsin

  • Lisa-Anne Bauch: Aegean Norwegian

    Lisa-Anne Bauch

    Aegean Norwegian

    24″ x 36″

    Linen warp, wool weft

    NFS

    Bio: Lisa-Anne Bauch is a Minnesota-based weaver whose work explores traditional Scandinavian techniques in contemporary color palettes. Her work has been exhibited throughout the Midwest and in Finland. She is an active member of the Scandinavian Weavers Group of the Weavers Guild of Minnesota and maintains the group’s blog at scandinavianweaversmn.com. As a freelance writer, Lisa has written for the Norwegian Textile Letter, PieceWork magazine, and Väv magazine (coming in 2025).

    Description: I wove this rug in Wynne Mattila’s class in krokbragd technique at the Weavers Guild of Minnesota. The colors remind me of ancient pottery.

    Regarding the Scandinavian Weavers Group: It has been wonderful to find a group of weavers who share my passion for Scandinavian weaving traditions. Along with my excellent instructors at the Weavers Guild of Minnesota, the Scandinavian Weavers have expanded my knowledge, improved my technical skills, and cheered me on me when I got discouraged. Best of all, it’s fun!

    labauch@outlook.com

  • Patty Kuebker Johnson: Traditional Flowers

    Patty Kuebker Johnson

    Traditional Flowers

    29″ x 12″

    Cotton warp and weft

    NFS

    colorcrossing.com

    Bio: Patty began her weaving journey in 1990 when she purchased a used Glimåkra loom and set up her own weaving studio. Her early projects were inspired by Mary Black’s book The Key to Weaving, and she later expanded her knowledge by attending various classes and conventions, such as those at The Weaver’s Guild of Minnesota, Vävstuga, Midwest Weavers , and Convergence®. Patty credits her progress and joy in weaving to the support and friendships of fellow weavers. Over the years, Patty has explored both simple and complex weaving structures, creating practical and decorative pieces for the home and personal attire. She finds constant inspiration in learning new techniques. Patty was a key figure in the creation of the Textile Center of Minnesota and continues to support the local fiber arts community through her involvement with the Weaver’s Guild of Minnesota, Phipps Center for the Arts, and as the owner of Color Crossing Artist Studios in Roberts, Wisconsin.

    Description: “Traditional Flowers” is a beginning draw loom project.

    Regarding the Scandinavian Weavers Study Group: The Scandinavian Weavers have enriched my weaving and personal life. Everyone is supportive in all ways. The members of the group help me explore various techniques I might otherwise not think about. I’m so blessed to be part of this fantastic group of weavers!

    colorcrossing@sbcglobal.net

    Patty’s draw loom in her studio at Color Crossing in Roberts, Wisconsin

  • Kelly Marshall: Wise Virgin

    Kelly Marshall

    Wise Virgin

    12″ x 12″

    Seine twine cotton warp, wool weft

    NFS

    kellymarshall.com
    Insta: customwoveninteriors

    Bio: Kelly Marshall’s textiles are inspired by traditions, from historic patterns to modern abstractions. Color is examined in the detailed blending of the threads, while undulating texture creates visual shadows and tactile pleasure. Created for functional use, Marshall’s textiles bring beauty to commercial and residential settings and add celebration to everyday living. She has a BS degree in Applied-Design Textiles from the University of Minnesota and studied design and weaving structure for one year in Forsa, Sweden. She founded the Minneapolis based company Custom Woven Interiors in 1992 and in 2012 self-published Custom Woven Interiors, Bringing Color and Design Home with Rep Weave.

    Description: Lila Nelson was a patron of my textiles and a dear friend. She was my mentor and even assisted me when teaching my first ever weaving workshop at the Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum in 2003. She shared with me many of her billedvev tapestry weavings over the years, one of which was The Wise and Foolish Virgin. In honor of her friendship and her life long contribution to Norwegian heritage, textiles, teaching and mentoring, I wove this billedvev tapestry. It depicts Lila, strong and smart, upon a horse holding a candle or light, not one of the foolish virgins holding a handkerchief with a swollen belly. I took a billedvev tapestry weaving class at the Vesterheim Museum from Robbie LaFleur to learn the technique.

    kelly@kellymarshall.com

  • Brenda Gauvin-Chadwick: Bergen Blue

    Brenda Gauvin-Chadwick

    Bergen Blue

    18.5″ x 18.5″

    Cotton warp, linen weft

    NFS

    Bio: Brenda Gauvin-Chadwick has loved textiles since she was a young child, sewing her own clothes, knitting, embroidering, and of course making pot holders on a pot holder loom. She learned to weave in her late twenties from a very talented Swedish weaver in upstate New York, and with the exception of taking a hiatus when her children were young has continued to weave. She belongs to the Minnesota Weavers Guild and studies Scandinavian techniques with Scandinavian Weavers Group.

    Description: I went to Bergen, Norway with a group of weavers from the Scandinavian Weavers Group in May of 2023 where we took a week long course on Norwegian weaving techniques. There I learned the rip technique in a very subtle intricate pattern. The warp was French DMC Cotton sett at 48 ends per inch. The weft was 16 (e.g. 16/1) linen at 36 picks per inch. The loom was set with such a high degree of tension on the warp that a paper pirn-bobbin bounced on it! Great fun!!!

    brenchadwick@gmail.com

  • Veronna Capone: Red vs. Black

    Veronna Capone

    Red vs. Black

    4 pieces, each 6″ x 6″

    Linen warp, wool weft

    NFS

    Bio: Veronna began to learn how to weave while taking adult education classes in Whittier, California and found ways to learn the techniques, vocabulary, materials, looms, history, and applications while moving from one part of the US to another. While both of her grandmothers wove, one for making money, one out of necessity, the knowledge skipped a generation and she learned from others by taking classes, workshops, and travel.

    Description: One of the weaving interest groups I follow had a year long emphasis on using the color RED. And I experimented with how red could hold its own even against a strong opposition in the simplest way. The techniques are rutevev and lynyld.

    Regarding the Scandinavian Weavers Group: The study group is both intimidating and inspirational, people with great skill, talent, and energy to learn, share their wealth of knowledge, and keep the treasure of weaving activity lively and full of opportunity.

    venopac@swiftel.net

    Read more about Veronna’s weaving background in this article, “A Gold Medal and Gifts.”

  • Peg Hansen: Bergen Blanket

    Peg Hansen

    Bergen Blanket

    51″ x 57″

    Norwegian wool warp and weft

    NFS

    Bio: Peg Hansen attended the University of Wisconsin River Falls in the late 1980s for the purpose of learning to weave fabric for sewing garments. As it turned out, she instead pursued a career in teaching Visual Art to Red Wing High School students for 20 years. After that she got back to her fiber roots and started weaving in earnest. Being in the Scandinavian Weavers Group has provided the opportunity to learn about many weaving techniques from group warps and the sharing of knowledge by amazing group members. Weaving trips to Norway and most recently, Peru have proven to be highly educational and motivating. In addition to the classes at the Weavers Guild of Minnesota, Peg has taken classes at North House Folk School in Grand Marais, Minnesota and Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum in Decorah, Iowa. Peg is also a member of the Zumbro River Fiber Arts Guild

    Description: Weaving a blanket is a rite of passage for weavers. I finally had the opportunity when I went to Bergen, Norway with friends from the Weavers Guild in May 2023. The goal of the workshop with Ingebjørg Monson was to weave samples of various Norwegian techniques. After sampling halvdräll, I took a turn on the blanket warp. What I thought would be a sample, or at at the most, a lap blanket, turned out to be a three day adventure. I kept going at the urging of Ingebjørg until 2:00 AM the night before my flight back to Minnesota. I was given parting instructions on finished my memorable wool twill blanket. It was so much fun I promptly enrolled in a double weave blanket class at the guild with Kayla Exworthy. I heartily recommend blanket weaving!

    Regarding the Scandinavian Weavers Group: After a long hiatus from weaving, I joined the Scandinavian Weavers Group as a way to kickstart my life-long love of all things fiber. Having regular meetings to discuss and try many techniques is a great way to learn and maybe most importantly, get to know other fiber fanatics!

    Peg Hansen weaving in Bergen. Read more about this trip in the Norwegian Textile Letter article, “Burning the Midnight Oil in Bergen.”

    pegandrayhansen@gmail.com

  • Nancy Ellison: Sitting Cozy

    Nancy Ellison

    Sitting Cozy

    12” x 12” x 1”

    Weft of hand spun wool yarn and locks of unspun fleece from gray, black, brown, and white sheep.

    $125

    Bio: While a home economics teacher Nancy Ellison took her first weaving class while spending a summer in Norway in 1968. She returned to Norway in 2005 with a textile tour from Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum. She has also taken classes at Vesterheim taught by weavers from Norway. She has been at Ellison Sheep Farm near Zumbrota, Minnesota since 1996 and has taught spinning, weaving, and felting and sells new, used, and antique spinning wheels and looms.

    Description: In 1989 I did my first shaggy weaving incorporating locks of wool from Lincoln and Karakul long wooled sheep I had in my flock at that time. In 1999 I added Icelandic sheep to my flock when they became available. In 2018 I took a class at Vesterheim taught by Marta Klove Juuhl from Norway in weaving the Icelandic varafell technique which has been done in Iceland for hundreds of years to make capes with locks of wool to shed rain and snow for shepherds to wear in all kinds of weather. I had previously taken a coverlet class from her. I made my own warp weighted loom from small trees out in my pasture which I used in both classes. I enjoy selecting wool from sheep in my flock. The shaggy weave has the look and feel of a sheep skin, except the sheep gets to live to grow more wool to be sheared year after year.

    http://www.ellisonsheepfarm.com

  • Nancy Ellison: Pastors in a Row

    Nancy Ellison

    Pastors in a Row (The Sheep Pasture)

    21” x 17”

    Linen warp, wool weft

    NFS

    Bio: While a home economics teacher, Nancy Ellison took her first weaving class while spending a summer in Norway in 1968. She returned to Norway in 2005 with a textile tour from Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum. She has also taken classes at Vesterheim taught by weavers from Norway. She has been at Ellison Sheep Farm near Zumbrota, Minnesota since 1996 and has taught spinning, weaving, and felting and sells new, used, and antique spinning wheels and looms.

    Description: Through the years I had admired weaving I saw in old Swedish Väv magazines that included figures of people, animals, trees, etc. woven in bound rosepath. Three harness krokbragd had been a favorite weave I enjoyed doing and I thought perhaps I could design some krokbragd patterns with figures and came up with this weaving. The figures start with gray tombstones which you have to look for as they don’t show up well on the green background. Then there are pastors in black suits and white collars, fences, sheep, blond girls in skirts, farmers in overalls and hats, etc. Titled “The Sheep Pasture,” it was first entered in the folk art exhibit at Vesterheim in Decorah in 2012 where it was awarded an honorable mention ribbon. Later it was shown at other events such as with shows of the Scandinavian Weavers Group. Sometimes the title was tweaked to “Pasture by the Cemetary”, “Pastors by the Pasture”, etc. In recent years other people have published patterns of krokbragd figures, especially sheep and fences, but I did it independently years earlier.

    Regarding the Scandinavian Weavers Group: I joined the Weavers Guild of Minnesota and the Scandinavian Weavers Group over 30 years ago while my Aunt Marie Nodland was still living, as she had been a long time member who had joined in the early years of the guild. I feel like a link in the chain carrying on the tradition of Scandinavian weaving and am always happy to share information with others and enjoy the exchange of ideas at meetings. I haven’t driven to meetings since before the pandemic but appreciate being able to attend the meetings virtually on Zoom.

    ellisonsheep@gmail.com

    Nancy’s woven pastors spread internationally! Read about how the charming pattern was taken up by weavers in England in “Woven Pastors in a Row – American and British.”