See our ordering & shipping page for more information. If you'd like, you can fill out and print the book order form [this will open a new browser window] and mail it with your order.
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 translating and republishing several important books here at Vävstuga Press.
Vävstuga Press Publications
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Dress Your Loom the Vävstuga Way:
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Old Swedish Weavings from North to South:
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The Swedish Weaving Book: Project Planning, Loom Dressing, and FinishingMariana Eriksson, Ulla Getzmann, Gunnel Gustavsson, & Kerstin Lovallius; translated by Becky Ashenden
This is a companion book to Varp och Inslag and contains bountiful information on planning and executing a woven project by the Swedish method. It covers everything one needs to know in order to plan and prepare the loom for weaving including counterbalance and countermarch looms, related weaving tools, calculations for warping, threading and tying up the treadles, as well as basic weaving skills. Clear and detailed drawings on nearly every page show the technicalities of loom dressing, weaving and fixing mistakes. A comprehensive section details more than 30 finishing techniques such as: hems, edgings, fringes, braid methods, and mounts. A large number of instructive diagrams and photographs complement the text. A necessary guidebook for anyone with a Swedish loom. Most of these methods can be used easily on any loom, making this book is an essential resource for weavers of all levels. The authors are renowned weaving teachers in Sweden. Republished here at Vävstuga Press in 2008. In English. |
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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. |
Scholarship Fund Benefit
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Leave Nothing on the Back Burner: My Happy Cooking LifeBarbara Michelson
Barbara Michelson attended a class at Vävstuga in January 2011. She's an inspiration not only in the studio but in the kitchen as well. This book, which she has donated to the Vävstuga Scholarship Fund, is a cookbook/memoir by an author with more than 25 years of professional experience in the food world. From her Manhattan childhood to her student days at the Paris Cordon Bleu to cooking in New York City restaurants to running her own catering and baking business while raising three children, Ms. Michelson lays out her best recipes together with those of select family and friends. The recipes are embellished with short, humorous anecdotes penned in Ms. Michelson's lean, wry style. This is not only a wonderful book for food lovers, but also one for people keen to savor the relationship between food and family and friends. |
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Reflections from a Flaxen Past: For Love of Lithuanian WeavingKati Reeder Meek
This beautiful book covers an unusually broad scope of topics relative to the intensely rich heritage of Lithuanian weaving. After a fascinating introduction to Kati's involvement in the Lithuanian culture, we get to meet numerous Lithuanian individuals who have carried on the weaving tradition from centuries past, through personal interviews and plentiful photographs, of the people and extensive details of the textiles they create for their pattern-rich national costumes. The book includes a treasure trove of rescued old photographs from the early 1900s showing all processes of turning flax into fabric. The back section of the book includes charted weaving designs as well as detailed instructions for growing, processing and weaving with your own flax. This book contains wonderful reading, in addition to its instructional value. |
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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
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. |
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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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Custom Woven Interiors: Bringing Color and Design Home with Rep WeaveKelly Marshall
Kelly Marshall, a designer of contemporary handwoven home furnishing textiles, presents an array of her contemporary textile designs that emphasize color and pattern, along with suggestions for their use in home settings. Custom Woven Interiors includes 18 project sets of related items such as rugs, table runners, placemats, throws, curtains, upholstery, pillows, dishtowels, and bedspreads, all beautifully photographed in Marshall's own home. All of the items pictured can be reproduced from Marshall’s weave drafts and detailed instructions. Marshall also provides insight into designing for the versatile Rep Weave technique, and tips for finding design inspiration, and translating that inspiration into a woven textile. Weavers at any level, designers, and anyone interested in contemporary fabrics for interiors will find this book a valuable resource. |
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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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Finnish American Rag Rugs: Art, Tradition and Ethnic ContinuityYvonne R. Lockwood
This is the largest and most fascinating book about rag rug weaving that I have ever seen! It contains story after story of specific weavers living in the Finnish American communities of the Midwest, including pictures on each page of their looms, their homes and their work. These looms are fascinating to look at and the stories of the people make you want to keep turning the page. We learn how the skills of weaving and loom making get passed from one generation to the next, as well as the important role these rugs have in their lives. In addition to history, the book includes some technicalities of the weaving process, aesthetics of the designs, and modern influences on the tradition. This book is a real treasure trove of culture and inspiration. In English. |
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Handdukar: Väv i Lin och Bomull(Hand Towels: Weave in Linen and Cotton)
Fine cotton and linen make up this collection of exquisite hand towels. They range from very simple stripes in plain weave and 4 shaft twill variations to basic block weaves such as Ms and Os, halvdräll and damask variations. Simple instructions accompany each beautiful photograph, making this book easy to use even if you do not know Swedish. Each towel is primarily white or natural, with either blue or red patterning in the form of stripes, checks or plaids. Although a few warps call for linen, mostly they require natural cotton yarn in 16/2, 24/2 or 30/2. This is a sweet and inspirational little book that, due to the cohesive nature of its contents, inspires one to make them all! The towels look beautiful together. |
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Kalasfina Vävar(Festive Handwovens)
This is a wonderful compilation of the more popular designs from the 2006–2009 Vävkalander years. Feast your eyes on the plentiful towels, runners, tablecloths, upholstery fabrics, curtains, blankets and rugs. Many of the warps are capable of creating more than one type of finished product. Ranging from traditional to more contemporary, every piece is so tastefully designed you'll be inspired by every page. Most projects require only 4 shafts, with a handful of 8 shaft patterns thrown in. The threading and treadling drafts are very clear, so even an English speaker can make very good use of this book. Our Swedish–English glossary will be of assistance in translating much of the basic instruction. |
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Linen: From Flax Seed to Woven ClothLinda Heinrich
If there is anything you want or need to know about flax and linen, it is in this book. From growing through the various stages of processing flax to spinning linen thread and weaving cloth, you will find it in the first 100 or so pages. A little past this the author gives us a number of patterns for contemporary weavings of linen, from napkins to clothing to art pieces for the wall. My favorite part of the whole book, however, is the section in the back with reminiscences of people who grew up in the communities where flax was grown and processed. This makes the whole book a treasure. In English. |
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Moraband(Mora bands)
Barbro Wallin's intrigue with traditional handcrafts from her local town of Mora, in Dalarna Sweden, stems from early childhood. Throughout her life that she has fully developed her skills in fringe plaiting, two end knitting, and band weaving. Now finally in retirement she has had the opportunity to fulfill a desire to pass this tradition of handwork on to future generations, a tradition that would otherwise risk being lost. In Mora Band she shares her collection of 100 patterns that she has collected throughout her life. |
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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 available in English. |
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Östgötadräll: Vävda sängtäcken från Östergötland(Woven coverlets from Östergötland)
This book presents a glorious collection of Östergötland's woven bedcovers from the 1800s which kept people warm both in beds and in open sleighs. The rich colors and distinctive block damask patterns define the weaving tradition from this area. The main part of the book contains photograph after photograph of either the whole coverlet or a close-up of the woven side. The backsides of the coverlets are equally intriguing and are beautifully photographed to show the wide variety of exquisite quilting patterns and their borders. Although this book does not go into depth with the weaving drafts, profile drawdowns clearly show how the blocks are arranged, and the weave structures used are usually four shaft twill or broken twill, though five shaft satin is found as well. We refer you to page 19-21 of Weave Structures the Swedish Way to find instructions for threading, treadling, and tie-up for the coverlets presented in this wonderful book. |
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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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Reflections from a Flaxen Past: For Love of Lithuanian WeavingKati Reeder Meek
This beautiful book covers an unusually broad scope of topics relative to the intensely rich heritage of Lithuanian weaving. After a fascinating introduction to Kati's involvement in the Lithuanian culture, we get to meet numerous Lithuanian individuals who have carried on the weaving tradition from centuries past, through personal interviews and plentiful photographs, of the people and extensive details of the textiles they create for their pattern-rich national costumes. The book includes a treasure trove of rescued old photographs from the early 1900s showing all processes of turning flax into fabric. The back section of the book includes charted weaving designs as well as detailed instructions for growing, processing and weaving with your own flax. This book contains wonderful reading, in addition to its instructional value. |
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Rep WeavesLaila Lundell
It is truly wonderful to have this very popular book on rep available once again. The beginning of the book is dedicated to simple patterns with very detailed instructions and explanations about every aspect of the technique. The book builds upon this knowledge as it progresses through page after page of absolutely beautiful contemporary as well as traditional patterns. Many of the patterns use just 4 shafts, but several 8 shaft patterns are included at the back of the book using a variety of inspiring color schemes. Projects include a valence, runners, rugs, upholstery material, a belt, placemats and wall hangings. This thorough study of rep weave is a must for any serious weaving library. |
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Simple Weaves: Over 30 Classic Patterns and Fresh New StylesBirgittia Bengtsson Björk & Tina Ignell
Readers will find instructions for weaving all sorts of projects--from towels, place mats, and throws, to rugs, pillows, and curtains. Chapters include weaving techniques such as plain weave and twill; canvas and spot weave; monk's belt and honeycomb; rosepath, Daldräll, and crackle weave; plus waffle weave, color effects, M's and O's, halvdräll, and true dräll. All patterns can be varied by using different types of yarn and suggested weaves can easily be combined. |
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Svenska Mönster för Konstväfnader och Broderier(Swedish Patterns for Art Weaves and Embroidery)
This book is a goldmine of charted traditional patterns for several Swedish techniques including rosepath, opphämta, dukagång, rölakan, flossa, trensaflossa, halvkrabba, krabbasnår and monks belt. Originally published in 1892, this facsimile includes an English translation of the entire text. Some instruction is included for the weaving techniques and the book explains which charted patterns are appropriate for each technique. The 36 color plates are rich with beautiful colors and patterns, providing a feast for the eyes. Although mostly intended for weaving, many of these patterns could be used for embroidery as well. This book would be a good companion for Väv Skånska Allmogevävnader (Traditional Weaving Techniques of Southern Sweden), which presents detailed instruction for many of these weaves. The traditional use of these textiles is discussed in some detail, providing some fascinating turn-of-the-century reading. In English and Swedish. |
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Trasor och Tekniker: 35 nya mattor(Treasures and Techniques: 35 new rag rugs)
The generous variety of techniques presented here sets this book apart. The first section presents a variety of plainweave techniques, followed by some inlay techniques in the next section. Several kind of tapestry are covered as well as double-faced weaves and Taqueté. Then we proceed to various uses of twill as well as some other unusual techniques including rag rya. The book has many easy-to-follow diagrams to go with the detailed weaving instructions for each piece, and includes a valuable section on finishes and other weaving instructions at the back of the book. There are also details about dying and preparing the rags. The very end of the book has beautiful pictures and a description of a traditional rug washing house, a commonplace thing in bygone days. [Previously available in English as Swedish Rag Rugs: 35 new designs.] |
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Tvåändstickning: Grunderna(Two End Knitting: Basics)
This booklet provides a step-by-step guide for "two end knitting," which is known to be an old and almost lost Swedish technique, revived in the not too distant past. Two ends of yarn are used alternately, twisting the 2 yarns between each stitch, either a half revolution or complete revolution, always in the same direction. The resulting knitting is very dense, tight and durable. The diagrams and photographs are very good, but readers should be warned that there is a fair amount of Swedish text -- very useful as well for those who understand Swedish! |
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Varp och Inslag: Bindningslära(Warp and Weft: The Study of Drafting)
Profusely illustrated with clear and close-up color photographs showing nearly 200 examples, including variations on plain weaves, twills, satins, block weaves, color effects, double weaves and lampas, as well as a variety of more unusual structures. A section on damask and drawloom weaving is included. 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. It includes much of the material from Varp och Inslag: Bindningslära 1, and adds a great deal more. In Swedish. |
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Varp och Väft: textilkonstnärerna och hemslöjden(Warp and Weft: Textile and Handcraft Artists)
Here is the story of the Swedish handcraft movement, as it relates to textiles from the 1850s to the present day. The author introduces us to 19 textile artists who have been integral to this movement over the last century and a half. These dedicated and talented women have worked tirelessly to perpetuate and pass on the tradition, and their beautiful handwoven compositions designs can be seen on the pages of this special little book. |
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Väv & Weave: En bok om vävning - A book on WeavingMariana Eriksson & Kerstin Lovallius
This broad-ranging new weaving book has Swedish and English side by side on each page. The projects are based on traditional styles and techniques, with a contemporary interpretation. Learn how to make your very own chenille out of rags to make a chenille rag rug! The rug chapter is followed by tableware, towels, curtains, upholstery, as well as a chapter on fabrics for clothing and accessories. The end of the book includes a section with loom dressing tips as well as valuable advice for weaving and care. The broad range of materials and structures presented by this stunning array of beautiful projects, along with the generous weaving and finishing advice for each item, make this a serious text for studious weavers. The bilingual quality of the book will be a to help anyone who owns other weaving books in Swedish. |
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Väv Skånska Allmogevävnader: "Drättar, agedynor, & jynnen"(Traditional Weaving Techniques of Southern Sweden)
This informative instruction manual provides a stunning array of beautiful weaving techniques from southern Sweden such as dukagång, rölakan, halvkrabba, krabbasnår, monks belt, and trensaflossa, to name a few. The first section of the book has plentiful detailed drafts and diagrams of weaving techniques and equipment, as well as many patterns. There are even close-up photos of the backsides of some techniques to show you how the finishing is done. The second section of the book presents color plate after color plate of beautiful older textiles that demonstrate how these techniques are combined together, often into one breathtaking piece. This book goes hand-in-hand with Svenska Mönster för Konstväfnader och Broderier (Swedish Patterns for Art Weaves and Embroidery), which has multiple charted patterns for these same techniques. |
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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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Väv Som Vi!(Weave Like Us!)
This is an innovative little book using a large variety of weave structures in new and innovative ways. Each project in this book inspires us to take a traditional structure to a whole new level of imagination and creativity. Many of these projects are on the small side, making them accessible to those of us eager to expand the possibilities without demanding a substantial time commitment. A wide variety of materials are introduced, and this book is clearly a stepping stone for the reader to take his or her own liberties in choosing materials and methods. This book will be an inspiration for anyone seeking something new and different from many known weaving techniques. |
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Warp and Weft: Lessons in Drafting for HandweavingMariana Eriksson, Gunnel Gustavsson, & Kerstin Lovallius; translated by Carol Rhodes, technical editing by Becky Ashenden
This remarkable drafting book, now available in English, is a perfect mate to The Swedish Weaving Book. The same three authors present us an extensive collection of weave structures complete with full drawdowns and profile drafts. A close-up photograph of the woven fabric is shown in adjacent each drawdown, and the text goes into detail about each structure in a straightforward understandable manner. After the multitudinous variations of plain weave, twill, and satin, come the whole family of block weaves (including block damask, halvdräll, overshot, and crackle). Another chapter includes honeycomb, cord, corduroy, lace weaves, liseré, waffle weaves, crepe and piqué. Still more chapters describe double, shadow and corkscrew weaves, color effects, lampas variations. Drawloom techniques are included at the back of the book, offering several weave structures to choose from. Every serious weaver will benefit from this fabulous book which will be returned to as a resource time and time again. |
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Warp with a Trapeze & Dance with Your LoomKati Reeder Meek
Conquer the challenge of beaming a warp on your loom with fantastic tension all by yourself! Kati's in-depth presentation of the warping trapeze and its many variations will meticulously guide every loom owner to success. Detailed instructions on preparing a jack loom for beaming using a raddle are followed by her complete loom dressing techniques, with great attention to ergonomics every step of the way. These techniques can be applied to any loom, and Kati's plentiful photographs (often four or more per page) and enthusiastic and encouraging writing style will be a joy for everyone who owns this book. She also instructs us in using "live tension" for weaving, which provides very even and stress-free tension for delicate warps. A Q&A section at the back as well as a supplier's list, reading list, and fitness aids list provide great references. |
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The Weaver's Inkle Pattern Directory: 400 Warp-Faced WeavesAnne Dixon
The ultimate resource for inkle weavers. Inkle weaving is a simple technique that offers ample opportunity for experimentation to beginners and experienced weavers. This book is the most comprehensive tool available to inkle weavers. Inside, you'll find: an overview of inkle weaving’s history and traditions; instructions for loom set-up and simple techniques; an astonishing 400+ woven patterns; illustrated samples and charts. This incomparable guide offers tips, tricks, and techniques to weave traditional and modern patterns and introduces a bounty of innovative new designs as well. Inkles created from these patterns can be used for a variety of projects, ranging from belts and braces to trims and neckpieces. |