Laurie Kosky
"Norwegian Heritage Ski
Hat"
|
|
|
 |
 |
| (Photos by Patrick Fraser) |
Norwegian mythology has many gods and goddesses. Viking women used their looms to weave these mythological symbols into their clothing and tapestries. These tapestries hung behind seats of honor for weddings, special holidays and burials. Some of these symbols have been passed down through the generations.
As most women were unable to read or write until the 1850’s, woven linen was their means of expression. These handcrafted linens, stitched with crowned goddesses and rows of female figures with outstretched arms, date back to the 1600’s. Various mythological symbols elaborate the stories.
Many of these treasured works were carefully conserved on the farms in the Telemark area of Norway. My grandmother and her parents came from the town of Skien in Telemark the birthplace of skiing. This ski cap, stitched in yellow on black wool, is a tribute to the “Wise Women” in my family.
The main figure on the front of the hat is FRIGG, the goddess of fertility, home, weaving and spinning. She wears a beautiful crown and holds the Trees of Life. SOL, the goddess of the sun, is wearing a horned deer crown to enhance fertility. On the back of the hat is FREYA, the goddess of love who represents beauty, fruitfulness and prosperity. She holds two red flowers to represent her love of all things beautiful. Finally EIR, the goddess of air is holding two blue birds.
 Original sketch of Norwegian Princess |
 Pattern on black wool gold lining with gold embroidery in 3 shades |
 Norwegian Goddesses - white test pattern will have deeper headband |
 Experimenting with waste canvas 25 count and 14 count |
 Testing materials |
 Final materials for embroidered goddesses on black wool ski cap |
 Norwegian Goddesses Goddess outlined on waste canvas Waste canvas basted to wool fabric ready to be embroidered |