We are proud to release our.....
North Sea Collection |
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| Ancient Arts Fibre Crafts is all about the timeless connection between the past and present, weaving early textile traditions into our modern yarn creations. We have a deep appreciation for heritage sheep breeds, recognizing their role in preserving history and biodiversity. Our commitment lies in crafting eco-friendly, heritage-breed-specific yarns that carry this rich heritage forward, and this is reflected in our newest offering, The North Sea Collection, which features Herlig DK (50% Viking Norway wool, 50% Cruelty Free Merino).
Norwegian wool, cultivated since Viking times, boasts warmth, strength, and incredible comfort. The sheep are deeply ingrained in Norwegian culture, so much so that they are simply known as "white" sheep. They lead a natural mountain life, making Norwegian wool a prime example of an eco-friendly textile fiber. Our Norwegian wool comes from Viking Norway, where a cooperative ensures every step of processing is eco-friendly, preserving the wool's exceptional qualities. To enhance its softness, we blend it with cruelty-free merino wool. The result is a yarn that shines with lustre, beauty, and durability. Thanks to these qualities Herlig DK pairs perfectly with our Lascaux DK yarn, which also uses wool that also has deep historic roots, and you'll find both in The North Sea Collection.
In this Scandinavian-themed collection, we celebrate Scandinavian knitting traditions, drawing inspiration from Norwegian, Swedish, Danish, Icelandic, Finnish, and Faroese influences. Our talented designers have embraced these traditions to create stunning patterns that showcase our yarns. This collection is divided into three captivating themes: Ship and Sea, Shore and Sand, and Home and Hearth. It's a showcase of vibrant colorwork, combining traditional and modern techniques, elegant textures, and beautiful cables. We hope these designs not only capture your imagination but also become a source of inspiration for your knitting projects! |
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First of three themes within the collection...
Ship and Sea |
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| This collection unfolds in three captivating themes, and today, I’m delighted to present the first: Ship and Sea.
The designs in the Ship and Sea category are inspired by the untamed beauty of the North Sea, the storied Vikings who in their beautifully crafted ships sailed its waters, and the diverse wildlife that calls the cold North Sea home. Each creation tells a tale – some draw from the seafaring exploits of the Vikings, capturing the essence of their ships and the lives intertwined with these vessels. Others delve into the challenges of navigating the treacherous wilderness, exploring both the archaeological wonders and the history of the Scandinavian peoples and the Vikings. Each pattern in this theme knits together a narrative of maritime adventures, cultural heritage, and the indomitable spirit of exploration.
Patterns, eBook, and Kits for all these designs are available on the Ancient Arts Website and Ravelry. Please note that all patterns are both charted and written out, and all kits include a built-in discount from 10-20% off! If you don’t see the colours you want, just let us know and we will be glad to set up a custom kit using any of our DK yarn. |
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Greenlander Saga Shawl by Caroline Sommerfeld |
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Greenlander Saga Shawl Kit
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Greenlander Saga Shawl Pattern
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| This shawl draws its inspiration from the Saga of the Greenlanders, and sets out to tell the story of this Icelandic narrative which chronicles the epic tale of Greenland’s settlement and the Norse colonization of North America.
It’s designed using a simple Scandinavian shawl shape that is easy to wear and very flexible to style. It utilizes Mosaic stitch (where one works with one colour at a time) to make the Scandinavian motifs easy to work. Traditionally these motifs would be done with stranded colour work, but mosaic stitch simplifies the work and allows the shawl to be knit flat! The addition of simple lace and a fun story means you’ll be all set able to join the Vikings on their trip to Greenland!
The shawl pattern includes the story from the saga as well as archaeological findings that bring each section of the shawl alive. Much like the saga’s unfolding story, this shawl takes us on a journey, beginning with dark Norwegian fjords mirroring the starlit skies, ventures into the challenging voyages of Eric the Red and his intrepid followers, and finds safe harbor in Greenland. Eventually the Vikings leave Greenland once again sailing the vast expanse of deep water and the timeless starlit nights. As you wrap yourself in this shawl, you’ll find comfort and a connection to the sagas, just as this wool once comforted those adventurous souls who dared to explore the unknown.
We are planning a KAL for this shawl in the New Year so keep watch for more information coming soon! |
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Urnes Hat by Jenn Lampen IG @synapticstitches |
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| This brioche hat draws inspiration from the intricate and mesmerizing motifs found in Viking carvings, specifically in the Urnes style. The use of brioche cables in the design doesn't just add warmth; it knits a story of Northern heritage, like a protective shield against the chill of the North Sea breeze. What truly sets this hat apart is the clever twist in its construction. The shift in knitting direction from the brim to the body creates a distinctive style that echoes the paneling techniques seen in timeless Viking carvings. It's like wearing a piece of history on your head! |
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King’s Lynn Gansey by Cheryl Toy IG @knitwithcheryltoy |
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King's Lynn Gansey Pattern
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| Thoughts of the North Sea always conjure up pictures of the classic mariner’s sweater, the Gansey! Cheryl has always loved this hard-wearing, hard-working, well-engineered piece of the seafarer’s kit. Warm, well-fitted and practically waterproof, the traditional Gansey has been knitted in the same time-honored manner for a hundred years or more. The King’s Lynn Gansey turns to classic motifs – a six-stitch braid, a thermal stitch and simple flags – then adds a nod to Ancient Art’s Canadian roots with a lyrical North Star cable. It is worked in the traditional manner, from the top down, beginning with shoulder straps. The sleeves are worked downward, and a button-up collar is added during finishing.
King's Lynn is a port and market town in the borough of King's Lynn and West Norfolk in the county of Norfolk, England. The tows is mentioned in the 1086 Domesday Book, and in the 14th century, ranked as England's most important port. It would have seen mariners of all types, no doubt including Vikings!
We currently have a KAL running for this gorgeous sweater and you are welcome to join us at any point in the KAL for fun, prizes, and great community! Zoom sessions are free and recordings are available on the Ancient Arts YouTube channel. |
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Frost Cold Hat and Mitts by Jessie McKitrick
IG @jessiemckitrick |
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Frost-Cold Sea Hat and Mittens Kit
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Frost-Cold Sea Hat and Mittens Pattern
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| Jessie’s inspiration for these unique accessories is two of her favourite Anglo-Saxon poems , The Wanderer and The Seafarer. Both speak of the hardships of life on the hrímcalde sae (frost-cold or rime-cold sea) or íscealdnesae (ice-cold sea), with the speaker from the former longing for home while in exile, and the speaker from the latter expressing a desire to once again journey the seas despite this hardship.
As the Seafarer is irresistibly drawn to once again travel the hwælweg (whale-road), Jessie was drawn irresistibly to the idea of describing this same seascape on mittens and a hat using stranded colourwork depicting waves and the minke whales that so often frequent the North Sea. Her charts are all original designs, although they draw upon traditional shaping to become the perfect blend of old and new. All charts are also written out to make these mitts and hat a delight to knit! |
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Longship Shawl by Padma R. IG @padma.r1 |
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| This shawl is inspired by the ancient Vikings' ships in which they explored unknown and dangerous seas. Undoubtedly, these courageous seafarers must have developed a unique bond with both ship and ocean. Padma imagined one such Viking, left behind on land, climbing to the top of a cliff to look out over the ocean. He might have dreamed of the creaking and billowing of the sails, the splash of oars, the shouts of the men, and the feel of the deck heaving under his feet. Did he long to be back at sea?
Ship and sea make their presence felt throughout this design: cables and twisted stitches produce a dramatic, richly textured fabric. Along the right edge, ocean waves rise and fall on a twisted rib background travelling the length of the shawl, continuing into the border. In the shawl body, diagonal ridges echo the graceful lines of a longship prow like the Gorstead ship seen head-on. Thicker cables and eyelet columns indicate the heavy ropes and chains used on board. Short, horizontal garter ridges represent wavelets lapping around the ship's hull. This shawl is a feast of cables and texture and is sure to keep you warm on cold winter days! |
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$40.00
