Vaskinde Heddle from Sweden

The Vaskinde heddle was found in Sweden and dates from the late middle ages   1350 - 1500. It is made from moose antler and is 4.7 by 4.5 cm. It has a delicate decoration.

The original is in the Nordiska Museum in Stockholm and can be viewed here:

https://samlingar.shm.se/object/08C1C4DE-E1A6-4D75-BEF5-866784624914

The original Vaskinde heddle

In Sweden, Martinsson and Eriksson have made a copy which  are as similar to the original as possible in size and shape. Size 5.5 x 5.5 cm made in modern materials.

https://www.m-e.se/handelsbod/band.html

They also publish a small booklet of patterns for the heddle. The booklet has patterns for 13 warp ends and also different variations. number of patterns with 13 threads. The booklet describes sample weavings and shows how to make more variations.

They also make a miniature version of the heddle which is a challenge but lovely to use.  I wove an narrow warp faced band and finished with a tubular section. 

The small version of the heddle

Robin Goatey at thedancinggoats has also made a slightly larger version. 

 https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/TheDancingGoats

The Vaskinde heddle and shuttle from Robin Goatey.

This is the threading for the wool warp on the larger wooden Vaskinde heddle. Note that the outer two holes are used. the weft is black wool.

The reproductions from Sweden come in different colours.  Here are two with the weaving in progress. 

Two reproduction heddles in plastic.

Weaving a band using the Vaskinde heddle.

Here is a short video.  The Vaskinde heddle is threaded with 11 warp ends and is woven using a backstrap. The warp and weft are 16/2 linen. The weft is white 16/2 linen.

Here is the drawdown showing the threading.

Note that the outer two holes are not used for this band so the threading starts on a slot.

Happy New Year

and, of course, Happy Weaving 

A longer version of the video can be seen on my YouTube channel

https://youtu.be/GGPQlU7TLEIJ 

Susan J Foulkes   January 2026