Viking Embroidery

Finding a picture/carving or tapestry weave of Viking Owls was tricky. The above image is disputed as either a Viking Owl or Viking Falcon.

I prefer a 4-ply wool yarn for Viking Patterns (go big or go home); however, when doing more detailed work such as the eyes, using a 2-ply wool may have been better.

The Oseberg Couching was difficult at first and you are looking at the 5th time I embroidered it. I finally used a magnet to pin the correct size. The red below is actually painters tape. I have found that chalk can leave a residue on patterned fabric. Painter’s Tape, if removed in a timely manner, doesn’t leave a residue and will hold in place.

I used a 2-ply wool for the inkle weave band which was too flimsy. In order to make the band stable, I ended up framing it with the silver.

The red stitch above is Armenian Embroidery, which I found very difficult. The final stitches above were my 6th attempt and I was afraid that the hand woven diamond twill was going to become frayed. Thus, I concluded my romp in Armenian Embroidery (which was a combination of loops, herringbone and weaving) for this piece.