Weaving Finnish Iron Age Legwraps - Historical Fashion from the Era of the Vikings

Рет қаралды 15,567

2 жыл бұрын

Legwraps are part of many Viking age and medieval costume. Basically they are about 3 m of fabric wrapped tightly around the legs and they were popular before stockings were invented. We do not know whether legwraps were worn by women in the Western Europe as there are no surviving finds. However, bronze spiral decoration in Finnish women's burial clothing has preserved the garments better and we have definite evidence of women wearing legwraps in here. The Finnish legwraps are worn with tubular selvedges which are pretty visible. So, the only way to get legwraps that look right is to weave them. So I did.
Check out ‪@OpusElenae‬'s channel! She was so kind to give me some pictures of legwraps at a re-enactment.
If you want to support this channel, buy me a coffee! ko-fi.com/withmyhandsdream
My blog: withmyhandsdream.com
The book I referenced: Löydöstä muinaispuvuksi by Mervi Pasanen and Jenni Sahramaa
The weaving tablets I used are from this weaving kit I bought from Etsy: tidd.ly/2ZfG6tu
The pictures from archeological finds are owned by Finnish Heritage Agency.
finna.fi/Record/museovirasto....
finna.fi/Record/museovirasto....
The Bayeux tapestry scenes are from the Wikimedia Commons.
Music:
Epidemic sound: www.epidemicsound.com/referra...
KZfaq Audio Library (attribution not required).
Equipment:
Nikon D5600 DX-Format Digital SLR: amzn.to/2QIGegX
Mic: Rode VideoMicro Compact On-Camera Microphone: amzn.to/2RcZ9Ab

Пікірлер: 63

@Fangs4DaMemories 2 жыл бұрын

The fact that your city has looms that are available for rent is mind blowing. You are so lucky! :)

@withmyhandsdream 2 жыл бұрын

Crafts are an important part of Finnish culture. Although weaving is not a common skill there are still a lot of weavers and almost everyone owns a handwoven rug or several. Our grandmothers all weaved! The number of communal weaving centres has diminished though which is sad. Not everyone has space for a big loom or skills to weave without a teacher.

@JainMonroe 11 ай бұрын

of course here in Finland it is possible to take part in a fabric weaving course, or you can weave a rug and a narrow tablecloth. there are courses in both spring and autumn, the course is guided by the teacher on certain days, otherwise you can independently go weaving at a certain time on weekdays and in some places even on weekends.

@satu4387 9 ай бұрын

Greetings from Australia and thank you for the video! Here one needs to travel to the state’s capital (population of over 5.3 million) to see a glimpse of a loom😬And I doubt it is as large as the one you used in this video. It is so great that Finns keep their traditions going. My grandmother had her own loom and I remember her making many rugs for the household. Hoping to learn weaving in the near future too.

@tomthedespoiler 7 ай бұрын

Another way to handle the selvedge would be to add a floating selvedge, where you add one additional warp yarn on the outsides, and NOT putting it thru a heddle, but putting it only thru the reed. The floating selvedges will always be at the neutral warp height because they are never lifted, so you can go in above the floating selvedge on one side and then out below the opposite floating selvedge on every pick. It really helps with keeping neat selvedge, and one additional warp yarn shouldn't mess up your patterns.

@docholiday7975 Жыл бұрын

From first hand experience, I find it better to tuck the end of the wraps up and under the final section than down and over. ____________________ / / ____________________ ____________________ \ \ ____________________ ✓ X Tucking it in from underneath stops it from pulling the top loop down, for that same reason I've known some people to start at the top of the calf then roll the wraps down the leg and let their shoes handle keeping the end in place.

@jackiejames4551 2 жыл бұрын

I love the color you choose for the leg wraps. It's wonderful that you were able to make them yourself. Are they as warm as they look?

@withmyhandsdream 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks! They are very warm and comfy. Like wearing thick woolen legwarmers.

@chrismiksworld Жыл бұрын

Are you Freaking Kidding me? This is Amazing. Looks so Hard to do but so BEAUTIFUL, the making and the Finished product, I just Love it all but it looks so confusing to do.

@withmyhandsdream Жыл бұрын

Thank you! It is easier once you have the work in front of you. Everything always looks more difficult when somebody else is doing it. Finally, most of it is fairly logical.

@orangew3988 Жыл бұрын

Love this video, what beautiful leg wraps you have made with your own hands! Btw, as someone who has bandaged many many legs over the years, it's easier to hold the rolled up wrap the other way around. It's hard to describe how, but yknow how loo roll has two ways to be hung, one with the paper coming over the top and one from underneath? Basically if you swap the way you are holding the wrap, it unravels into your hand instead of out of it and you can keep more even tension. I've explained that poorly, but if you look up videos for how to bandage a leg you will see how to hold the rolled up bandage.

@withmyhandsdream Жыл бұрын

Yes, I get what you mean! A good tip!

@phos5990 4 ай бұрын

tablet weaving to finish the ends! i learned something today ❤

@mirandaffair 2 жыл бұрын

Lovely video and beautiful weaving. The "carousel" is called a warping mill in English, very handy to have.

@jcristi321 Жыл бұрын

I love this! And I really like the shoes, which I’m guessing you made? I’m going to check out your channel and see what other treasures I can find. I don’t knit and haven’t woven much either, I’m fascinated by historic clothing and fashion. Can’t wait to dig into all your videos. Jan in Oklahoma

@adamakaru2683 Жыл бұрын

Loom for rent how fantastics I wish we had it in the USA but we can't have everything, but we got sun for America in Tucson thank you Katja.

@mustelidmama 2 жыл бұрын

What a wonderful video!--It answered many questions I had. By the way, I did ask the publisher when Mervi's book would be out in English and they said it would be March or April.

@withmyhandsdream 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you and thanks for the info! The last time I asked Mervi, she didn’t know the publishing date, yet. It’s a book that is very useful for anyone doing iron age or viking age costuming whether or not you are specifically interested in Finnish iron age dress.

@martikacuentacuentos7306 Жыл бұрын

Quite an interesting historic document ! I loved the whole process and the accurate details. You have done an amazing job!!!!! Greatings from Spain!!!!!!

@withmyhandsdream Жыл бұрын

Thank you!

@juditkerpics6363 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for showing us this beautiful work! I even had to stop my nalbinding to be able to see everything, not just listen to it - as I usually do with handicraft videos. I am very much interested in Finnish iron age culture now, partially thanks to you, and partially because I visited Finland last month, and I was equally amazed by Finnish culture, people and nature. I can't wait for the English translation of Löydöstä muinaispuvuksi! :) All the best, and keep up the good work!

@laniftallon 10 ай бұрын

Excellent video, thank you!

@penelope8980 2 жыл бұрын

Beautiful weaving! Thank you for posting this video; I'll be checking out your other ones.

@withmyhandsdream 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you!

@kantakouzini 2 жыл бұрын

beautiful work! im on a current research of the iron age in karelia, so your imput and fine craftmanship are just what's needed, thank you!!!

@withmyhandsdream 2 жыл бұрын

Cool. My final outfit is going to Western Finnish style but I may make a Karelian one at some point. I know that Karelian ones have big oval-shaped brooches at the shoulders and the knife is often hanging from those same brooches. As I’m Karelian it would even be more fitting to me but it was easier for me to find Western style brooches second hand.

@kantakouzini 2 жыл бұрын

@@withmyhandsdream that is so awesome!!! I know exactly what brooches you're describing and yes it's difficult to get all the brooches and bronze koru , like the bronze oval brooches and chain hanging knife you mention, they're so expensive. I started a collection of kalevala koru and used a whole months paycheck 😅

@sylvanaire Жыл бұрын

Congratulation, on finishing such a huge project! You should be so proud. I took a weaving class once, and it is no easy thing, lol.

@withmyhandsdream Жыл бұрын

Thanks!

@resourcedragon 6 ай бұрын

Fascinating, thank you. And the fabric of the skirt you were wearing when you were working at the big loom looked very similar to my clan tartan. I was wondering, though. You've got a braid garter at the top of the leg wrap, you've got the leg-wrapping and finally you've got shoes that tie around the ankles. I would have thought that you would need to be careful that you don't end up constricting the circulation or just generally tying things too tight.

@rustyshackleford1235 Жыл бұрын

Those look very comfortable!

@elizabethraitanen5057 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for making this video. I love the colour of the keg wraps. Hello from Canada!

@withmyhandsdream 2 жыл бұрын

You’re welcome! I have visited Canada once. I saw the Niagara falls and bough ice wine. And got a permanent addiction to pancakes with maple syrup. Now I make them at home for my kids.

@interspeciesfamily8043 Жыл бұрын

So clever

@jayday1463 11 ай бұрын

Very interesting video, thank you. They look so cosy. I love the music too. Thank you.

@theresathompson2490 Жыл бұрын

That is so cool. We are just starting tablet/card weaving...did not know that you can add to another piece of fabric like this. Thank you.

@gracevalentine1666 7 ай бұрын

Marvelous, thank you

@mandyd2319 Жыл бұрын

Very impressive!

@sarasynfox Жыл бұрын

I'm a little late to the game and not sure how it took me this long to stumble upon your project, but I am so inspired! You may not have an answer for this, but do you think the book would be something an ambitious learner of the language could make out? I'm still very new to my language learning journey, and I'm truly saddened that my grandfather gave up the language for English when moving to America. I've been doing research on the Era, but I only recently came upon information for Finland, and I am totally taken by it and inspired, especially seeing your beautiful project! I may wait for an English translation, but I'd love to be able to read it someday in the original language.

@withmyhandsdream Жыл бұрын

I don’t know. Generally Finnish has a very steep learning curve as every sentence has multiple layers of grammar. As this book has very specific vocabulary, it’s not perhaps the best book to start with. But my daughter is learning Swedish and she picked up a Swedish childrens’ book from the library and started translating it. Perhaps you could take some classic Finnish childrens’ books or comics and start from them. Like Moomin comic books by Tove Jansson!

@sarasynfox Жыл бұрын

@With my hands dream Excellent! Thank you for the suggestions. I may look into a copy for something to aspire to at some point, but Finnish definitely has a steep learning curve for sure. It's not the first language I've learned as an adult, but one of the hardest I've encountered so far. I'll look up the comics you suggested. It sounds like an excellent direction to start. Finding resources here has been tricky, so I appreciate the help!

@Nature_Quixote Жыл бұрын

Amazing work! Thank you 🐭🌼🌱🌳

@katiekeene4514 8 күн бұрын

I haven't been able to find this book in English unfortunately, which is a shame since my husband is really into iron age garments. So I've been trying to figure it out for myself and this video has been so helpful! What weight of yarn did you use? And how many strands did you warp on? Thanks for sharing

@innahaapa1314 2 жыл бұрын

Komeat on jalkakääreet, täytyy sanoa! Mistä vuokrasit kangaspuut, Työväenopistolta? Asustan samassa kaupungissa ja kankaan kutominen kiinnostaa.

@withmyhandsdream 2 жыл бұрын

Tapiolan Omnian Kudonta-asemalla kävin kutomassa. Siellä on opettaja maanantaista torstaihin aika hyvin. Kannattaa vain kävellä sisään. Facebookista löytyy hyvin tietoja. Nyt ovat kuitenkin joulutauolla.

@Koboldmensch 2 жыл бұрын

Looks really beautiful! Any experience on how well they stay in place when moving? In my head this seems quite slippery

@withmyhandsdream 2 жыл бұрын

I haven’t worn them a lot, yet, but the more experienced have told me that there’s a trick to it.

@HomeWithMyBookshelf 2 жыл бұрын

I loved this! I want to learn to weave too, this looks fun!

@withmyhandsdream 2 жыл бұрын

It is fun. Can I suggest trying band weaving at first? That is something that doesn’t require a big invest and it is fun! Not that this kind pf weaving isn’t fun as well, just not as easy to start at home without a loom.

@HomeWithMyBookshelf 2 жыл бұрын

@@withmyhandsdream I learnt tablet weaving this past summer, and I agree! Band weaving is definitely easier to start with. I got an old loom for free, so whenever I can find time in-between sewing, nalbinding, spinning and tablet weaving (and reading books), I want to learn how to weave cloth. Oh wow those are a lot of hobbies I have collected for myself haha 🙈

@susannechinn647 Жыл бұрын

This video was very informative and interesting. Is weaving a common activity in Finland? You are fortunate to be able rent time on using a loom and with a teacher to teach you how to use it. Such a good idea, if you want to learn and have an interest in buying one. I have looked up buying one here in Australia, but they are very expensive here. What is the weather like in Finland?, would the little slippers be an indoor only footwear for Viking women? In the old paintings I always thought the men were wearing a knitted hose. It didn’t occur to me they were leg wraps.

@withmyhandsdream Жыл бұрын

Thank you for your comment. I think weaving is pretty common hobby. There are weaving centres in almost every town with ready-made warps and teachers. Finland has pretty brutal winters and short summers but the climate was warmer during the Viking age and resembles the one currently in Central Europe. I think my slippers aren’t that historically accurate. The book I got the idea from said so but I have since learned more. Knitting is much more recent invention. I don’t believe Vikings or Viking age Finns knew how to knit. They knew needlebindning, though, and made socks, mittens and things like that using that technique.