Sámi bandweaving book: Synjissjkot ja låhtåt

All the way from Jokka, Sweden, these Sámi produced books offer a smorgåsbord of bandweaving patterns. The journey was long (by way of a Swedish train, a Dutch bike, a Danish plane, and a reindeer or two) so you can marvel at the rich cultural tradition of Sámi bandweaving. This is a rare opportunity to grab a copy of a small second-printing of these long out-of-print books. Text in Swedish but the patterns are visual. I include a basic glossary (e.g., colors, “pattern threads,” “ground threads”). I also recommend the free translation program DeepL.

Synjissjkot ja låhtåt (To Weave and to Braid) presents the distinctive bands woven in three Sámi communities in northern Sweden: Arvidsjaur, Arjeplog, and Mala. The book contains patterns for bands in an array of striking color combinations and patterns, all organized by use—from belts to shoes. About half the patterns are plain weave. The other half are simpler pick-up patterns (relatively) because the weaver picks up or pushes down all of the pattern threads together. Four fingerwoven shoe band patterns round out the collection. Although this is not a how-to manual, I provide a few tips to help decipher the warping drafts.

Hardback. 75 pages.
ISBN 91-631-0499-7

You can weave Sámi pick-up bands with a regular rigid heddle or on a band loom, but I highly recommend Stoorstålka’s pattern heddles. The Sigga heddle is especially helpful when weaving designs with groups of pattern threads that move, or “jump,” together. Along with yarn and other weaving supplies, Stoorstålka also sells excellent instructional kits with accompanying YouTube videos. They ship to the US.