Treasures in Dala-Floda - part 2

Everyday life might have been hard and grey - but come church day or weddings and baptisms  and all stops were pulled out to create the most fantastic fabrics and garments. Shown above are men´s embroidered  wristlets. They really shame the way we often dress today - to study these is also to experience the energy and intensity that they emit. 

Here are some patterns found on jackets and sleeves in Dala-Floda. They are knitted in a very fine gauge with thin yarn and thin needles. The yarn was spun at home. The sleeves were knitted in natural white and natural black/brown, and when finished they were dyed red.

They are all so evenly and poignantly knitted.  Touching them and examining them is like reading an old tale - there is a bond through generations. The skilled craftsmanship is awesome. 

It is a bit unnerving to realise that this technique (twined knitting) was almost lost not so long ago. We have to see to it that this knowledge now is passed on and not forgotten.