Category: Weaving & Spinning

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Vikings Part 4: Weaving on Weaving Sticks

Weaving on Weaving Sticks

Weaving on weaving sticks is a medieval craft that makes thin strips of woven fabric. These thin strips can then be used as they are, or else stitched together side by side to make a wider piece of fabric.

Weaving sticks in use

The sticks for stick weaving are usually made of wood. They can be of various thicknesses, most often about ¼ to ½ inch (6mm to 12mm). One end of the stick is tapered to a dull point. The other end has a hole through it. Stick weaving is done with two or more sticks held in the hand. 

I hope to be able to offer weaving sticks to Craftsteaders in the future. We can. however, offer a lovely range of beautiful cotton yarns.

Meanwhile over on YouTube, Alison Russell teaches you how to make your own weaving sticks from felt pens and Little Bird shows you how to weave with sticks.

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Vikings Part 3: Lucet braiding

Lucet braiding

Lucet
Lucet fork with needle

A lucet is a tool used in cordmaking or braiding that dates back to the Viking and Medieval periods, when it was used to create cords that were used on clothing, or to hang items from the belt. Lucet cord is square, strong, and slightly springy.

Lucet cord is formed by a series of loop like knots, and therefore will not unravel if cut. Unlike other braiding techniques such as kumihimo, finger-loop braiding or plaiting, where the threads are of a finite length, lucetted (or knitted) braids can be created without pre-measuring threads and so it is a technique suited for very long cords.

You can buy your own lucets here.

Find out how to lucet here. How to Lucet, by Evelyn Skae

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Vikings Part 2: Nålebinding

Nålebinding

One of my favorite Viking textile crafts is nålebinding (Danish: literally “binding with a needle” or “needle-binding”, also naalbinding, nålbinding, nålbindning or naalebinding).

nalbinding needle
Nalbinding needles

This is a fabric creation technique predating both knitting and crochet. It’s also known in English as “knotless netting,” “knotless knitting,” or “single needle knitting.”

Vikings and Anglo-Saxons used nålebinding to make hats, socks, gloves and mittens. People would use different stitches to create varied textile patterns and thickness. Whilst over 30 different nalbinding stitches exist today, the evidence from grave sites suggest the Vikings only used three stitch types.

Shop for nålebinding needles here, and knit like the Vikings.

Find out how to do nålebinding here: Nalbinding For Beginners Part 1 – Getting Started. By Ylva The Red

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Videos for Craftsteaders #3 Liziqi

Liziqi
Liziqi

Liziqi’s YouTube channel is a joy to watch. It depicts a lifestyle of sustainability and self-sufficiency, wrapped in a stunningly picturesque environment. Liziqi makes things from scratch, and I mean, really from scratch. You can watch her plant some seeds, see the plants grow and the fruits (or seeds or leaves or roots) ripen, watch her harvest them and carry them home through heavenly landscapes in beautiful handwoven bamboo baskets, then see her wash, chop and cook them into a gourmet meal, or use them in other ways.

Liziqi makes her own furniture, wades in vast ponds to harvest giant lotuses, grinds her own grain, brews her own beverages and more. And barely a word is spoken, which is very relaxing. You’ll enjoy the sounds of nature – birds, falling water etc.

Location: CHINA


Here’s a sample from the numerous videos on her channel. It’s called “The Life of Cotton”. Scroll down and you’ll find the bamboo furniture one, too. Make yourself a cup of your favorite brew, sit back, put your feet up, click “play” and enjoy!