Tablet or card weaving has been used worldwide to create sturdy and ornamental straps and trim for clothing. Using Viking Age bands as a guiding source, learn the basics for making a narrow tablet-woven band including how to read a pattern diagram, thread the cards, and manipulate the cards to create patterns. Through an historic approach, this class explores tablet weaving patterns found in the 9th century Osberg ship burial grave finds from Birka, an important Viking Age trading center, and Mammen, a burial site in Denmark. Aligning inspiration and practice, class will look to historic tool technology, using two-point looms to create their bands.

Start off with learning general weaving terms, the equipment, and the fundamentals of setting up a warp, threading tablets/cards, and weaving by rearranging the cards to create a sampler with multiple patterns. Once we're familiar with the basics of the card system, class will progress to following drafts for simple 9th-14th century CE patterns from Iceland, Norway, and other places the Vikings left material evidence of their presence.

This class is suitable for beginners and those with some experience who’d like to improve their understanding of the card/tablet weaving system.

Physical ability note: Card/tablet weaving requires the motor skills to insert yarn through small holes and the strength/ability to grip and turn weaving cards repeatedly.

Required Tools

• Scissors

OptionalTools

• Magnifier or battery headlamp