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Wool in Medieval Britain, Part 1: Sheep
During the medieval period the characteristics of sheep were driven by commercial factors. Sheep breeds common of the medieval period are all considered rare breeds today due to the gains in popularity of the ‘more superior’ Merino sheep breeds that emerged from Spain during the late 16th and early 17th Centuries.Continue reading→
Wool in the Viking Era, Part 3: Dyes & Dyeing
From the wealth of archaeological evidence in textile fragments and other finds, we can say that the Viking Age was a colourful period in woollen textiles. I refer to woollen textiles here as plant-based textiles such as flax and hemp linens are extremely rare finds due to their faster and easier decomposition.Continue reading→
Wool in the Viking Era, Part 2: Spinning & Weaving
The importance of spinning and weaving in Nordic society is reflected in its integration into Norse mythology; from the Norns of fate spinning destiny to the practice of Seiðr. The word ‘Norn’ itself is derived from the proto-Germanic for ‘twine’, while the idea of the smørkatt or snakkur, a small magical creature which steals milk is depicted in Norway and Sweden as a ball of yarn, and as a spindle with yarn in Finland.Continue reading→
The Use of Nålebinding in the Viking Era
Introduction Nålebinding is one of the oldest forms of meshing yarns, and is a precursor to modern knitting and crochet. The naalbinding technique has been used as far back as the Paleolithic period. Nalbound items include a great variety of knitted fabrics from fishing nets have been found dating back to 6500BC, hats in the...Continue reading→
Wool in the Viking Era, Part 1: Sheep
Wool was as much, if not more the key to the success of the Vikings as their ships. Without wool they would not have had sails for their ships, clothing to keep their sailors both warm and dry, and a product with which to trade.Continue reading→