Viking ribbon hand Weaving.
Revised 21 Okt 1997http://home8.inet.tele.dk/bundgard
E-mail: www.fam-bundgaard.dk/ADDRESS.HTM
Have you ever wondered how the ancient Vikings of Scandinavia (Denmark Norway Sweden) made the colourfull ribbons used on their clothes.
Well here is a description of this ancient method. Taught to me by my 12 year old daughter, who learned it in scool during a historic theme week.
The loops |
Attach the free ends in a knot on some handle or spike. Grab the thread loops from abowe with your fingers, arched downwards like a rake.
fingers A hold loop 1, B hold 2, C hold 3, D is free E hold 4, F hold 5 Now the procedure is:
You have 1 2 3 4 5
A B C D E F
Move finger D under/over 3, under/over 2, grab 1.pull it back through loops 2 and 3.
Move threads 2 to A, 3 to B.
Move your hands apart to tighten the knot.
Now you have 2 3 1 4 5
A B C D E F
Move finger C under/over 1, under/over 4, grab 5.pull it back through loops 4 and 1.
Move threads 4 to F, 1 to E.
Move your hands apart to tighten the knot.
Now you have 2 3 5 1 4
A B C D E F
Then repeat the procedure again and again.The weave pattern becomes
A B C D E F
1 2 3 4 5
2 3 1 4 5
2 3 5 1 4
3 5 2 1 4
3 5 4 2 1
5 4 3 2 1
5 4 1 3 2
4 1 5 3 2
4 1 2 5 3
1 2 4 5 3
1 2 3 4 5
: : : : : :
. . . . . .
Try it with different coloured strings, it will look
impressive and surely find good use as border ribbons
on handbags and bonnets.PS. The method also works with 3 loops, and with 7 if you are nifty with your fingers.