Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Icelandic Fibercrafts

Here's more artifacts for you fiber nerds...

A shoe made of woven cloth, a nallbinded (nallbound? nallbindinged?) mitten c. 11th century. Nallbinding is a technique that uses a darning needle and short pieces of yarn to make loops. The finished product resembles knitting, but is much sturdier as the loops will not unravel if one is broken. It predates knitting, and in fact knitting was not seen in Iceland at this time.
 Some appliqued embroidery work, many of the little bits are exotic velvets and silks. The rings are gilded leather set down with silver thread.
 Very detailed work with gold couching. Love it or hate it, religion causes people to make amazing things! These were vestments for priest made soon after the Christianization of the nation.
 Woven tapestries with religious and folk motifs. The nearest one is featured in a book I picked up which includes patterns, and I saw a simplified reproduction hanging in an embroidery shop.
 Knitting arrived on the island in the 16th century, and quickly became common. Warm goods made from woven fabrics are often clunky and stiff. These are sealskin shoes lined with a knit insole, a very cute one I might add!

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