Vintage Crafts and More

Swedish weaving is not difficult to do and you’ll be making many attractive pieces once you’ve learned the basics. It is a very simple type of weaving, using the raised threads on what is often considered huck toweling just like weaving on canvas.

Embroidery strands or yarns of various colors are slipped under the pairs of threads in various sequences to form interesting patterns. The decorative strands do not go through the material, so they do not show on the reverse side. A number of articles can be decorated, to include aprons, bibs, curtains, draperies, dresser scarves, knitting bags, napkins, place mats, purses, skirts, tablecloths, and towels.

Trivia Tidbits

Did you know that huckaback needlework was mentioned in at least three pieces of literature?

“The Wheels of Chance: A Bicycling Idyll” (1897) by H.G.Wells
"Conduct of Life: Pragmatism and Ethical Purpose in the Later Work” (1860) by Ralph Waldo Emerson
"The Fortunes and Misfortunes of the famous Moll Flanders" (1722) by Daniel DeFoe.

It appears that September 30th was the day the safety pin was invented. The idea of a pin to hold things in place had been around for centuries. However, Walter Hunt had incurred a $15 dollar debt and he needed to find a way to pay it off. He was twisting a piece of wire when he came up with an idea that included a clasp surrounding the pointed end of the pin. It protected the point from harming clothing and people, therefore, the name "safety pin". On April 10, 1849, Walter Hunt was granted US patent number 6,281 for his safety pin. He sold his patent rights for $400 and paid off his $15 debt. You can own 100 copies (modern version, assorted sizes) of this marvelous invention for only 99 cents:

• Safety Pins – Pkg/100 Assorted

We hope this guide makes your stitching easier and more enjoyable!

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15 comments

Patricia Hall says: 06/12/2023 at 6:11 pm

I have a book with pictures but not written instructions, would you have the pattern for Peaks and Valleys for an Afghan? Or know where I can get it.
Thank you
Pat

Debra says: 06/26/2023 at 12:29 pm Donna says: 03/14/2024 at 5:26 am Did you find the pattern peaked and valleys?Debra says: 04/22/2024 at 2:16 pm

I was doing a little searching and I think the Peaks and Valley Afghan pattern may be in this Annie’s book Learn to Make Monk’s Cloth Afghans. At this writing the electronic download is $5.95. There is also another Annie’s book Inspiring Afghans for Swedish Weaving but the download is more expensive. Plus any of the Avery Hill Swedish Weaving books may have the design in them.

Cynthia says: 05/23/2020 at 3:40 pm

I’ve done Swedish weaving since I was 8yo. However in the flood of 2016 I lost my pattern books. I have recovered most of my patterns — just two still remain lost.
1–the 5 yellow ducks walking in a row and
2–the Rose. If anyone has them PLEASE post them. Thanks, Cynthia

Debra says: 05/23/2020 at 3:59 pm

I’ve never seen a rose. Have the rabbit but not a duck. I’ll post and see if anyone might know where to find one.

Phyllis Barlow says: 02/28/2020 at 11:32 am

I would love to learn Huck (Swedish Weaving) Is there a book that I can buy that is easy and with pictures.
Thanks
Phyllis

Debra says: 02/28/2020 at 11:51 am

Most of the books you find on Swedish Weaving are just patterns without much instruction. I’ve found a few exceptions. This book looks promising, Learn Swedish Weaving and Huck Embroidery from Annie’s. It has a 4.5 star rating and says it’s filled with step-by-step photos. One rating on this next book, Easy Does It Swedish Weave Towels, says the patterns are easy to follow for a beginner. There is one more on Amazon that has a 5 star rating, but is way, way over priced. Not sure if you may be able to find it somewhere else cheaper. It’s Avery Hill’s The How to Book of Swedish Weaving and Huck Embroidery. Published in 2005 the cheapest one goes for $129 on Amazon, yikes. What I have are vintage patterns and instructions, without the step-by-step photos that would make learning this craft easier. Hope that helps.

Marcia says: 02/28/2020 at 9:31 am

I have a soft spot in my crafting heart for Huck embroidery. I learned it in high school in the early ’70s. It’s so fun, fast, and easy to do – with almost magical results. Thanks so much for posting this!

Vintage Crafts and More

Welcome to this Friday’s VTNS Fan Freebie!

Swedish weaving embroidery pattern posts are one of the most viewed on this blog. It could be because it’s easy to learn and the designs look very complicated but really aren’t.

If you’re interested in learning Swedish (Huck) Embroidery, I have two previous blogs that will take you step-by-step through the process, beginning with the tools you’ll need.

You can find those posts in their entirety using these links:

I really like the patterns I’m sharing today, they are geometric and colorful. Starting from a very easy wave pattern to a more intricate zig-zag.

Here’s the full page of design patterns, I’ll post each individually after it.

With these designs you simply follow the diagrams. Embroidery Cotton is used, the colors are listed, but you can choose your own combinations of colors.

There is a paragraph of General Directions for Swedish Embroidery, but using the links above to the previous posts will give you a more detailed How-To.