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All books are in Swedish unless otherwise noted. However, many are nonetheless quite accessible to weavers who don't speak Swedish.
In addition to distributing hard-to-find weaving books from Swedish presses, I am republishing several important books here at Vävstuga Press. The first of these, Manual of Swedish Handweaving by Ulla Cyrus Zetterström, was released in January 2004; the second, Weave Structures the Swedish Way by Ulla Getzmann, was released in mid-October 2006.
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Manual of Swedish HandweavingUlla Cyrus-Zetterström, translated by Alice Blomquist
The main part of this book is dedicated to an in-depth study of a wide variety of weave structures and techniques beyond the basics, from fine linens to rugs and tapestries. Most are traditional weaves, including discussion of damask with or without various drawloom attachments, as well as weaves outside the Swedish tradition such as Beiderwand and Lampas. Nearly every page has diagrams, photos or both to go along with the informative text. The last 57 pages are instructive in project planning, loom dressing, tie-up systems and weaving. This book was originally published in 1950 and this 1984 edition is still widely in demand today. Republished here at Vävstuga Press in 2004. In English. Today's weavers are fortunate to have this previously out-of-print book available once again.
...The Manual of Swedish Handweaving should be in every weaver's library.
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Weave Structures the Swedish WayUlla Getzmann, translated and adapted by Becky Ashenden
This classic Swedish weaving text on the theory of drafting is finally available in English! The clear and concise drafts show drawdowns, structure units, threadings, treadlings, and tie-ups. The book starts with plain weaves and twills. All the twill variations presented are seen in fabric swatches on the front cover. Swatches for the rest of the drafts are shown on the back cover of the book. These include satins and the traditional Swedish damask block weaves, each covered in its own chapter. Details of profile drafting will be found here. These are followed by other authentic Swedish block weaves such as halvdräll, overshot and crackle. Those already familiar with the crackle weave may find this approach of interest. The final chapter gives instructions on analyzing a fabric swatch to determine the structure, threading, treadling and tie-up. I find this book to be an indispensible basic manual. Republished here at Vävstuga Press in 2006. In English. |
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Åklær: Å kle ei seng, å veve et åkle(Norwegian Bedspreads: To dress a bed, to weave a bed)
This large and marvelous book has the biggest collection of skillbragd (smålandsväv) drafts that I've ever seen. Each draft is accompanied by a photograph of the original museum piece with many close-ups as well. Some use four pattern shafts, some use eight, and a few use a drawloom. There are a few pieces in monks belt and overshot as well. The method for weaving skillbragd is not discussed; however, it can be learned from my Dress Your Swedish Drawloom video even though the technique does not use a drawloom. Many of these coverlets are mounted in the traditional way on a woolly sheep skin which makes me want to curl up in the book and take a nap! The colors and patterns in this book are inspirational and could be used in many ways. The pictures and drafts outweigh the Norwegian text. |
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Älskade Trasmattor: Att väva som förr(Beloved Rag Rugs: As woven before)
The older rag rugs from Sweden have a fantastic world of colors and patterns. The door to this world is opened wide by this wonderful book. Clear analysis of over 50 traditional designs accompanies the beautiful photographs of each rug. The colors are a distinctive feature of this book, subdued yet vibrant and rich at the same time. The pattern selections start with stripes and plaids, and continue with several block designs ingeniously combined with colors and stripes. The last several rugs in the book feature patterns in rosepath, an inlay flower border, twisted weft stripes and a double-faced block design. This book will inspire and help you to create a feeling of a Swedish home. |
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The Big Book of WeavingHandweaving in the Swedish Tradition: Techniques, Patterns, Designs and Materials Laila Lundell & Elisabeth Windesjö [Trafalgar Square Books, 2008. 8.5" x 9.5", hardcover, 272pp.] $29.95 Take a thorough course in weaving in the Scandinavian tradition with this longtime Swedish favorite (see below) now finally available in English. It covers loom dressing in detail, followed by a series of projects designed to teach you new skills at each turn of the page. There is a comprehensive section at the back devoted to problem solving and fixing common mistakes. The plentiful and very clearly drawn diagrams highlight important points, making them particularly delightful to use. (Coming in spring '08!) |
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Bockens Yarn Sample Book$20.00 Bockens linen, cotton and cottolin yarns from Holma-Helsinglands AB are some of the finest quality available today. Thirteen pages of yarn samples exhibit the wonderful color palette that Sweden is so well known for. This company has sold top quality linens since the late 1800s. Check the store for the linens and cottons I keep in stock. Other yarns in the book can be special ordered. |
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Borgs Yarn Sample Book$10.00 This book contains color printed samples (rather than actual yarn swatches). Borgs is currently one of largest yarn companies in Sweden, and has a centuries-long history of providing high-quality weaving yarns in an expansive and beautiful color palette. Check the store for the cottons and wools I keep in stock. Other yarns in the book can be special ordered. |
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Börja Väv!(Begin to Weave!)
Although this book is designed to teach children to weave, it is a real treat for adults as well. The first page of the book introduces us to a delightful little yellow bird who was weaving in Africa long before people were weaving. We learn something about the bird's weaving technique, and she returns page after page to help us learn other techniques as well. Several kinds of simple small looms are presented using such raw materials as a stick of wood with nails, a willow twig, popsicle sticks, and a small frame. A freestyle tapestry piece is woven with a rags on a hanging warp strung up between two sticks from the woods. Other sections introduce a variety of band weaving techniques using beads, flossa knots, cards and the popsicle stick loom. The last section introduces weaving on a small table loom and gives detailed instructions on dressing the loom. Projects on the table loom include a pillow made of worn-out jeans, a wool pillow and other creative ventures. There is even a little section on drafting in the back, including a bit of history. Everything about this book is absolutely charming as well as very clear and instructive. In Swedish with English supplement. |
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Damask and Opphämta with Weaving Sword or DrawloomLillemor Johansson; translation by Susan Jones
This is the textbook that goes hand in hand with the drawloom class here at Vävstuga. It covers many techniques using two sets of shafts, one set for patterning and one set for the ground weave. These techniques include opphämta, smålandsväv, and damask. It covers the shaft draw system as well as the single draw system, with exhaustive loom dressing information on each. Sword damask and an opphämta method using only one set of shafts are also covered. This book is a must for anyone interested in these weaves. In English. |
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Damast(Damask)
This booklet contains 23 different project ideas in damask for your drawloom. Most projects use 10-20 pattern shafts. Some pieces use an individual draw system. The beautiful color photos inspire the weaver to take his or her designing skills in new directions due to the variety of styles portrayed. With supplement in English. |
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Den Dansande Damastvävaren(The Dancing Damask Weaver)
The Nordic Museum in Stockholm has produced this fascinating book about the life of Carl Widlund. Born in 1887, this Swede wove damask by hand well into the 20th century on jaquard looms as done in the 1700s. The linen warps could be as fine as single ply size 50 or more. He was also a musician and dancer and liked traveling to Paris. This extensive work has plenty of Swedish text but also practically every other page has a large and beautiful photograph to offer. Beautifully bound with a red cloth spine and corners. |
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Det Gamla Linneskåpet: Från tuskaft till damast(The Old Linen Closet: From plain weave to damask)
This treasure trove contains 123 wonderful projects. Doris Wiklund's out-of-print books are nearly impossible to find used, so I encourage the purchase of this book now while it is still available. The examples given are in a multitude of traditional Swedish weave structures including 18 drawloom patterns! The remainder are mainly on four shafts, with a handful of projects using eight shafts or more. Each project is accompanied by a close-up photo and a very clear draft. The rest of the instructions in Swedish are the vital statistics such as yarn, sett, number of ends, etc., making this a practical weaving book for the non-Swedish speaker. |
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En Annan Bild av Lappland(Another picture of Lappland)
A beautiful collection of pictorial weaving depicting Lappland at all seasons is the theme of this inspiring book. The woven pieces are marvelously photographed and they are accompanied by photos and paintings that show where the ideas and designs for the woven pieces came from. Tapestry techniques are prevalent, as well as other techniques such as Finnväv, dukagang and inlay. The woven pictures include lots of flowers, buildings and other outdoor scenes. This book comes from the same author as Det Gamla Linneskåpet so those of you who already have that book are familiar with her meticulous attention to detail. |
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En Rand och Några Rutor...(A Stripe and Some Plaids...)
The 38 projects in this fine volume demonstrate the possibilities of weaving simple yet elegant fabrics. This book follows in the tradition of Mera Fint att Väva by the same author. Many of the rugs, blankets and linens are plain weaves and twills on 4 shafts. These colorful patterns are classics that never seem to go out of style. In several instances, variations are given for one project to inspire further creativity. More than half of the pages are filled with superb photography accompanied by simple weaving instructions. Minimal Swedish vocabulary is used. |
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Favourite Rag RugsTina Ignell
This new book from Vävmagasinet presents detailed directions for over 40 rugs designed and woven by many different weavers. Each of the six sections focuses on a different technique, starting with the stripes and checks of classic rugs. It continues with chenille that you make yourself, lots of possibilities for rag inlay, rep rugs, rosepath, diamond twill and block weaves. The weft in these rugs does not even need to be rags, as some of the examples demonstrate. There is plenty of new inspiration to be gleaned from this beautiful new book. In English. |
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Inred Med Gardiner Kuddar & Mattor(Interior Decoration with Curtains, Pillows & Rugs)
This book offers a beautiful combination of over 30 projects, more than half of which are woven on 4 shafts (and one on 6 shafts). The other projects teach fabric printing, felting, quilting, wreath-making, embroidery, and even making your own couch from scratch. All the information you need to make your home look contemporarily Swedish! |
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Laila Lundells Nya Vävbok(Laila Lundell's New Weaving Book)
From the author of the classic Stora Vävboken, this new selection of 18 beautiful designs presents some distinctive and creative results using a variety of techniques not presented in her original book. These projects are intended for weavers who already have general knowledge and skill at the loom, and are bound to stimulate further creativity. |
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Norwegian Tapestry WeavingMaria Brekke Koppen, translated by Christine Spangler
This exhaustive study of Norwegian tapestry techniques was first published in Norwegian in 1974 with later editions in 1978 and 1988. The author (Professor Maria Brekke Koppen, 1916-1992) was known as Norway's leading expert in tapestry. Her experience in weaving, teaching and researching older Norwegian tapestries becomes apparent in this detailed description of techniques. The dovetailing technique is particularly stressed due to its common use in Norway. There are plentiful clear diagrams of how the yarns interlock in the various techniques and a photo to go with each diagram woven in black and white yarn. The last part of the book contains detailed descriptions of finishing techniques. Several photos of older tapestries are included as well. A beautiful book and a must for any tapestry weaver. We are lucky to have this gem availble in English. |
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Om Fellen Kunne Fortelle: Åkletradisjon til inspirasjon(If Coverlets Could Speak: Traditional coverlets that inspire)
This book is a result of comprehensive registration of local coverlets from the past two centuries done in the '90s in one part of Norway by a local Folk Art and Craft Federation. The inspirational presentation of over 28 coverlets makes this book hard to set down. Most of the patterns are in the skillbragd (smålandsväv) technique using four pattern shafts. There are also some coverlets in monks belt, sjonbragd (dukagång) and even damask. The first half of the book is made up of outstanding full-page photos of the antique coverlets, followed by a few pages of an English summary. The latter half of the book provides clear and comprehensive drafts for each piece. The method for weaving skillbragd is not discussed; however, it can be learned from my Dress Your Swedish Drawloom video even though the technique does not use a drawloom. |
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Praktisk Vävbok: Tillägnad den idoga Svenska kvinnan(Practical Weaving Book: Dedicated to the industrious Swedish woman)
This reprint of a Swedish book of drafts from the late 1800s is a real treat. There are a few pages of Swedish text in the front and back, but the 50 pages in the middle contain threadings, treadlings and tie-ups including several 6-shaft weaves and over 150 8-shaft twill variations! A pocket in the back cover includes three folded sheets of larger drafts. This book is of historical interest in addition to being a good resource for weavers. |
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Royal SilksUlla Cyrus-Zetterström & Gudrun Ekstrand
The Swedish Royal Armory has produced this incredible work, which includes drafts of silk fabrics for the royal family from 1560 to 1873. Dr. Ulla Cyrus-Zetterström has done an incredible job with the analysis. Each garment is nicely photographed as a whole, and there is also a close-up shot of each fabric. The sometimes quite complicated interlacements are all mapped out on graph paper in several colors for clarity and the details about materials, structure and even selvegdes are discussed in full. This is a truly fastinating book for anyone who loves weave structures and is interested in historical fabrics. |
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Så fint med trasmattor(Wonders with Rag Rugs)
This book has been reprinted due to demand. These classic Swedish rag rugs are a feast for the eyes. Plain weave predominates, but twill, open rep, rosepath, inlay, and a block weave are well represented also. Beautiful older rugs are complemented by newer designs, including one rug made of old jeans. There are also five charming rag placemats offered at the end of the book. |
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Stora Vävboken(The Big Weaving Book)
This is a beautifully redone version of Laila Lundell's original classic weaving text by the same name (see above). About half of the book is made up of improved diagrams of loom dressing and weaving techniques. Portions of the diagrams are in red to emphasize a particular point or method. This makes these diagrams even more user friendly for the non Swedish speaker. Some of the popular projects from the original book are duplicated but a great many new projects have been added so it would not be redundant to own both books. A large number of traditional and modern Swedish weaving techniques are covered in detail. (Coming in spring '08: the long awaited English translated edition! See above.) |
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Tying Up the Countermarch LoomJoanne Hall
With page after page of beautifully clear drawings and explanations, this book is a necessity for any weaver with questions about the countermarch tie-up. Many other details include several methods of arranging the texsolv beam cord to the tie-on bar, bundling texsolv or string heddles for easy use and storage, assembling and hanging the shafts, and tips on threading comfortably. Many diagrams have close-up views of texsolv cord in use. Common questions about countermarch looms are addressed, such as sagging shafts or use of unbalanced threadings. The back of the book includes a section on knots, sett and sley charts, metric equivalents, and a glossary of weaving terms. This small book has a wealth of information for anyone interested in dressing and tying up a traditional style loom efficiently. In English. |
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Varp och Inslag: Bindningslära 1(Warp and Weft: The Study of Drafting I)
Profusely illustrated with clear and close-up color photographs showing 153 examples, including variations on plain weaves, twills, and satins, as well as some more unusual structures. Complete draw-downs and profile drafts are shown right next to the photos for ease of comparison. This book has very little text, which makes it an excellent choice for weavers who don't speak Swedish. The variety of materials, textures, and colors make this book an inspiration for creativity as well as an encyclopedic resource of technical information on weaves that Swedish weavers use. |
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Väv Boken: Uträkning, uppsättning, montering(The Weaving Book: Planning, Warping, Finishing)
This book is a companion to Varp och Inslag and contains bountiful information on planning and executing a woven project by the Swedish method. Clear and detailed drawings on nearly every page show the technicalities of loom dressing, weaving, fixing mistakes, and different ways to finish your project. A necessary guidebook for anyone with a Swedish loom, although most of these methods can be used easily on any loom. Techniques covered include tie-ups for horizontal and vertical countermarch, countermarch tie-ups using horses or damask pulleys, and over 20 ways to fringe rugs and blankets. Our new Vävstuga Press translation of this valuable book should appear in print in summer '08. |
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Väv i Halm(Weave with Straw)
This unusual book is completely dedicated to the use of straw as weft. There are beautiful photographs of old patterned rep rugs in cotton and straw followed by 36 expertly designed pieces with weaving instructions. The warp materials used are 16/2 cotton, 12/6 cotton rug warp and cottolin (nialin) 22/2. The wide array of projects include rugs, placemats, runners, a bread cooling mat, a paint brush case and a curtain. The soothing selection of patterns and colors is inspirational. |
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Väv Som Aldrig Förr(Weave As Never Before)
If you are looking for something entirely new and different, this could be the perfect choice. Anything at all can be used as weaving materials. Examples include a canister woven with rowan berries, a bubble wrap bag, an armband of leather and copper wire, and woven leather tabletops. The many creatively designed bags, vessels, clothing and rugs, to name a few, use other materials such as willow twigs, rubber bands, pine cones, silver wire combined with more traditional materials like linen yarn, wool yarn and paper yarn. A large variety of weaving techniques are represented although no more than four shafts are ever required, in fact most of the techniques use only two. This book is a mind opener and just plain fun. |
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Väva Efter Gamla Mönster på Fyra Skaft(Weavings Inspired from Old Patterns on Four Shafts)
The exquisite color photographs in this book will inspire any weaver who is attracted to traditional Scandinavian weaving. The chapter about rugs includes rags, rep and straw. A substantial section on upholstery shows pillows and many chair seats in a variety of weaving techniques. Instructions are given for upholstering a chair seat. There are also smaller sections of table linens, towels and warm wooly things. |
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Vävkalender 2008: Vackert att väva för alla årstider(Weaving Calendar 2008: Beautiful weaves for all seasons)
The new 2008 Vävkalender is now in stock. It's full of new and beautiful home furnishings in the form of towels, tablecloths, pillow covers, curtains, a wool blanket, a rag rug and more. Techniques include monks belt, rep, twill, plain weave as well as a coverlet in dubbelbindning. The pieces instill a fresh and light feeling. Let each month give you weaving inspiration. (We also have some 2007 and older calendars in stock for $15 apiece; please inquire.) |
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Vävkistan: Vävar, tolkade och vävda på vårt sätt(The Weaving Chest: Weaves, Interpreted and Woven in Our Own Way)
An inspired collection of 26 projects. Most use only 4 shafts, making this an accessible book for the novice. Projects include a luxurious thick wool rug, cotton placemats, a steering wheel cover for your car, a silk scarf, or how about a rep runner with a charming fringe finish of little gnomes? A few pieces use six shafts, and one beautiful damask tablecloth is included. |