Daughters of Norway

Hvetevefting (Wheat Weaving)

In Norway wheat is braided into different patterns and shapes for decorations for the house and for the Christmas tree. Now small ready-made straw decorations for the tree are so common and cheap in the stores that most crafts people make only larger and fancier decorations for home or hytte (cabin) and buy little ones for the tree. Thus passes away a tradition of families making ornaments fresh each autumn.

A number of wheat weaving websites and books are available to those who would like to learn more. Sometimes, community colleges or Girl Scouts offer classes in this craft. If you need an instructor, contact a local Daughters of Norway lodge to see if they can help you.

COOKIE STAMPS

Early in the sixteenth century Swedish cookie stamps were custom made either out of clay or carved wood. To create these in clay, you need a kiln, clay, linoleum cutting tools, creative simple design ideas ( flowers, snowflakes, hearts, animals, leaves, birds, or symbols).

This craft is not a one-day project because the clay needs to dry before cutting and then dry more once carved before firing. Firing and the optional glazing for the handle and top part of the stamp, also takes additional time. However, this craft is again a practical one that can be used on creating butter cookies. A simplier method of making the Cookie Stamp using SculpeyIII clay is available online: Swedish Cookie Stamps Make, page 118–119 Catholic Traditions in Crafts by Ann Ball.

A great online site for commercial stamps to purchase which also has background details on the Scandinavian history of these cookie stamps in addition to design ideas is Rycraft. The Rycraft website also has additional crafts to make using their cookie stamps.

DALAHÄST (DALA HORSE)

Dala horses are a traditional Swedish toy/decoration made in the Dalarna province. Since the 1939 New York World's Fair where they were stationed outside the Swedish pavilion, they have been considered a Swedish national symbol. They have a unique shape, being rather thick horses without tails.

Carved horses have a rich tradition in Swedish history, perhaps as early as the 13th century. The horses were originally carved to be toys for children. During the long winters many farmers had time to carve, and fathers serving in the military stationed far from home, would also pass their free time carving these horses for their children. Real horses symbolized great value to their owners and were considered a sacred animal. The painted Dala horses were introduced sometime in the 1700's and by the 1800's they were becoming more widely known as the floral decorations begin appearing.

The Dala horses were traditionally carved from one piece of wood with their body painted a red-orange color with additional floral and bridle details added in additional colors. The kurbits painting technique was sometimes used in painting these horses. In this technique, two colors are painted at the same time on the same brush.

Dala Horse carving knives and wood blocks are available online (see left column). For those less interested carving and expensive projects, other crafts can be explored. Carving these horses out of soap instead or make them out of a clay product which can then be painted. You can make Dala Horse puppet by creating a dala horse template (if you have the cookie cutter, that will do as pattern). Cut out two horses out of card stock and use a craft stick in the middle after decorating it. Glue stick in middle of horse. Another way to make a Dala horse craft requires you to make your own small horse pattern. Then create a dala horse using felt with blanket stitching, fiber filling and decorative colorful beads and ribbons. This smaller horse version would make great pins or pin cushions. Another great Dala Horse craft is to use a Dala Horse cookie cutter and make cookies or non-edible dough and decorate them.

FELTING

Necklaces designed from Hand-Made Felt, Sigrid Undset Lodge #32

Scandinavian felt making is a tradition in which wool is made into felt and then into either a craft object, purse, shoes/slippers, jewelry, etc. Although, felt crafting is not exclusive Nordic, it was brought to United States by Scandinavian immigrants and shared with others. One of our lodge's (Sigrid Undset #32) charter member, Anne Einset (Vickrey) Evans, became an internationally recognized author and designer in felting. She hold workshops and has taught felting to many groups as well as has created craft kits, books and videos on the subject. Anne is a modern day example of traditional Nordic folk arts and crafts being passed on today in America.

Today many recent immigrants from Norway are following in her steps and teaching this craft, creating not only slippers, ornaments, but also jewelry. To learn more about felting, ask some of our lodges or visit this online site.