Classes offered at Hrim-Schola XII, 8 March 2008

© 2008, Carolyn Priest-Dorman and the instructors

This year Hrim-Schola once again welcomes teachers from three kingdoms! This year we offer tracks in fleece and spinning, bookmaker’s arts, knitting, and the bardic arts, plus classes in narrow wares, needle arts, and other fun stuff. And what would Hrim-Schola be without the traditional “Fun with Sharp Things” offerings?

What follows are the confirmed classes. Unless somebody has to cancel, this is the complete class list for the event.

• Basic Top Whorl Drop Spinning – Lady Sof’ia Serafimskaia. Description forthcoming. One hour. 12:15pm.

• Early Period Textiles – Mistress Brid nic Shearlais. Description forthcoming. One hour. 12:15pm.

• Fiber Comparisons – Michele. Do you ever wonder why there are all those different breeds of sheep and other fiber animals? Well... here is a collection of various animal fibers from alpaca to yak, as well as a loose sampling of vegetable fibers. Most of the fibers are in roving form, although I do have cocoons and fleece. Most of the samples also include yarn samples, so people can see and touch for themselves why different fibers have different uses. One hour. 11:00am.

• Fleece 101 – Lady Siobhan MacConmara. Crimp, Staple length, micron diameter, kemp.... What does it all mean? Ever wonder how to choose a fleece for a specific project? This class is designed to be an introduction to the terminology used to describe wool and their effects on the characteristics of your finished yarn. One hour. 1:30pm.

• Icelandic, Soay, Shetland, Karakul, …. It’s All Sheep to Me! – Lady Siobhan MacConmara. What’s in a name? A discussion of period sheep breeds and the characteristics of their fleece, followed by a hands on look at wool samples from their modern day namesakes and those with period qualities. One hour. 2:45pm.

• Wool Preparation – Iosobal. You’ve gotten ahold of a fleece...now what? Wash it, or spin in the grease? Comb, card, flick? Find out how your preparation affects your finished product, and get a chance to play with some new tools. Students are encouraged to bring prep tools to share, and a spindle. 1 hour. 12:15pm.

• The Carnamoyle Stockings: Late 16th Century Knitted Hose – Meistres Angharad verch Rhees. This is a discussion class on the Carnamoyle Stockings, extant knitted wool hose from Ireland dating to approximately 1600. It will include an analysis based on the original pieces and the development of a pattern for recreation purposes. Alas, it is not hands-on, but I have some cool color pictures. One hour. 12:15pm.

• Intro Knitting – Mistress Mairgret of Carrigart. Explanation of the basics and getting started. Instructor will be available later in the day if you want to talk further after class. Materials fee $3. Limited to 12. One hour. 11:00am.

• Medieval Egyptian Socks, Part 1 – Lady Susanna Lockheart. The Islamic patterned knitted socks in The Textile Museum are among the oldest extant knitted textiles. As such, they provide insights into early knitting as well as the footwear of the culture. Part 1 will be an overview, discussing the history and general techniques. One hour. 1:30pm.

• Medieval Egyptian Socks, Part 2 – Lady Susanna Lockheart. The Islamic patterned knitted socks in The Textile Museum are among the oldest extant knitted textiles. As such, they provide insights into early knitting as well as the footwear of the culture. Part 2 will be a hands-on session aimed at practicing the techniques while producing an adaptation of the extant socks. While any are welcome to audit, the class itself must be limited to knitters who are comfortable working in the round on double-pointed needles. There will be colorwork! Some kits will be available for $5, including #7 double-pointed needles and 2 colors of cotton worsted-weight yarn. Those wishing to bring their own supplies are welcome to do so. One hour. 2:45pm.

• Introductory Fingerlooping – cancelled

• Intermediate Fingerlooping – Lady Rosina von Schaffhausen. Description forthcoming. One hour. 2:45pm.

• Introduction to Tablet Weaving using the Double Face method – Master Herveus d’Ormonde. Learn double-turn double-face tablet weaving. No prior experience with tablet weaving is required at all. Lots of hands-on time. Materials include the Cheap’n’Sleazy student loom, cards, shuttle, and string. Materials cost $20 if you want to take them home with you. Two hours. 12:15pm.

• Two-Hole Tablet Weaving – Mistress Phiala O’Ceallaigh. Just because your tablets have four holes, you don’t have to use them all! There will be a brief overview of some of the surviving two-hole bands (more common than you might think), and hands-on practice weaving a couple of different techniques. Fee $2 for handout, warp and tablets Limit 6. One hour. 11:00am.

• Nålebinding Tutorial – Lady Ása in Svarta. Revolving tutorial on how to get started with nålebinding. Yarn and needle provided. Drop by any time, all afternoon. The Library.

• New Discoveries in Medieval Patchwork – Mistress Sarah Davies. Description forthcoming. One hour. 11:00am.

• Wire-Weaving, aka Trichinopoly: The Very Basics – Lady Erlandr skald di Njorlandi. Learn the basic pattern for creating wire woven strands for necklaces and jewelry. This style was used during the Norse period. Examples of “Viking treasure necklaces” will be shown and suggestions on how you can create your own using your wire woven strand. Hands on. Bring a small needle-nose plyers with snips if you have one (not necessary to attend class). Materials will be provided in kits that may be purchased at the end of the class. One hour. 11:00am.

• Trichinopoly Pendants – Master Dofinn-Hallr Morrisson. A brief examination of the extant pendants from Birka and a survey of construction methods will be followed by the hands on creation of a pendant following a method developed by the instructor which simplifies and speeds construction without losing historical accuracy in the finished product. We will be working on objects with a size of under 2 cm. so if you use magnification to see fine work, please bring it to class. Bringing your own small pliers or wire cutters is not necessary but would be helpful. Materials and tools will be provided. You can see the handout which is in progress at Trichinopoly Pendants Class Handout. Materials fee $5 which includes enough fine silver to make several pendants, a copy of the handout, and some simple tools. One hour. 2:45pm.

• Cooperative Performance Coaching – Moderated by Master Toki Redbeard. This performance workshop will give participants the opportunity to receive immediate feedback from the moderator and other participants. Peformers of all experience levels are welcome. The workshop will concentrate on use of voice, dramatic performance, successful audience interaction, movement and gesture in vocal performances. All participants will be asked to offer comments on each other’s performances. The goal is for each performer to improve some aspect of his or her performance by receive honest, immediate and constructive audience reactions. Bring a prepared piece, no longer than 5 minutes for a song or 8 minutes for a spoken word piece. Limited to 8. Two hours. 11:00am.

• Norse Poetry – Lord Grim the Skald. Iambic Pentameter got you down? Want to know what Toki is talking about when he says ring giver? Do you want to write a line that ends with “silver”? Come on over, and we ll go over the basics of Viking poetry. I will go over how Norse poetry alliterates, talk about the types and ways Norse poetry was used, and go over poetic devices such as Kennings. We’ll then go over style and format, and the specific forms Norse Poetry takes. Whether you want to try your hand at writing it, or just want a better appreciation of the form, stop by! One hour. 2:45pm.

• So You Want to Perform (but it terrifies you) – Lady Aoife ingen Conchobair. Have you always wanted to compete in a bardic competition? Or tell a story at a campfire? Do you sing in your shower and car, but, find yourself too afraid to step forward at events? Do you “know” you could do well, if you could just get up and do it? Then this is the class for you. I can’t wave a wand and take away your fears. I can share the tips and tricks I’ve learned to try to manage my stage fright. You do not need to have a prepared piece, nor do you need to have ever performed prior to the class. There will be a class size limit of eight to provide an intimate and comfortable setting. One hour. 1:30pm.

• Chemise Bindings – Maitresse Elwynne Rowenna of Wentworth. Chemise bindings are soft coverings for books. We’ll explore the different types of chemise bindings and possible ways they were applied to/used with books, including seeing some examples in class. Handout will include information on how to make a chemise binding. One hour. 11:00am.

• Introduction to Bookbinding – Master Lyle FitzWilliam. An overview on the history of bookbinding, looking at some of the different types of bindings within SCA timeframe. This will also be an introduction to bookbinding techniques, including working on some of the stitches used. One hour. 2:45pm.

• Authentic from the Tablet Up – Lord Wulfhere Treowyrhta. This class will show participants how to make a very authentic set of wooden tablet weaving tablets. The construction of these delightful little trinkets can serve as an excellent introduction into small woodworking craft of the early middle ages. In the construction of the tablet we will cover some essential techniques like riving and whittling as well as drilling with the bow drill and finishing with a scraper and stone. Participants can try out a draw knife and shaving horse and we’ll discuss alternatives. We’ll use the queens set from Oseberg as a reference but participants are encouraged to make tablets according to their wants and needs. Materials will be provided and tools will be available to share. The cutting and splitting of wood requires very sharp tools used with vigor and as always represents a certain risk of injury. Participants must be at least 16 years old and should bring work gloves. Limited to 6. One hour. 1:30pm.

• An Introduction to Turnshoes – Lord Wulfhere Treowyrhta. This class will provide an overview to shoe construction using the turnshoe method. A “turnshoe” is a shoe that is constructed inside out and then inverted. An ingenious technique that allows the working stitches of the shoe to be on the inside protected from weather and wear. We’ll look at archaeological references from the trove of leatherworks found at 16-22 Coppergate in York, England as a basis for an evolutionary timeline. This should give participants a good idea of what construction methods and styles may be most appropriate for their persona. We will discuss “lasting,” the process of making wooden forms on which to build shoes. We will also discuss pattern development and how to turn archaeological references into shoe patterns for your feet and leather selection. The hands on component will consist of executing major seam types and general leather handling. You will not make a shoe in class! Participants are encouraged to bring tools including a utility or heavy duty Exacto-type knife, a fine pointed awl, a large glovers’ needle, thimbles and some bees wax. Gloves may be appropriate. Materials will be provided. Limited to 6. One hour. 11:00am.

• Making Book Stands – Sir Muirdeach of Carrigart. Show/tell and discussion. No hands-on component. One hour. 12:15pm.

• “It Just Looks Right” – Master Peregrine the Illuminator will lead the discussion. Ratios, symmetry, color theory, archetypes, borders, balance: what are the universal guiding principles we use to make things the way we do? Why do things “just look right” to us? A brief discussion of Aristotle’s Four Causes will be the basis of a round-table discussion. Attendees are encouraged to bring in examples of their research and/or works, so we can discuss the guiding principles inherent (consciously or unconsciously) in the works. One hour. 1:30pm.

• The Good, The Bad and the Omigod-What-Are-They-Wearing?: The Middle Ages on Film – Meistres Angharad verch Rhees and Master Toki Redbeard.A critical and humorous evaluation of medieval genre films as sources of historical and visual information, through film clips, snarky opinions, our own version of witty repartee, and discussion. Two hours. 1:30pm.

• Origami... Is It Period? – Michele. Well of course it is! We will start out with a brief history of origami, then, start folding! We begin folding a few simple traditional models and then see where the general level of the class is. We may progress onto intermediate models time permitting. I will also have books and diagrams available for more advanced students who may wish to play by themselves. I will try to have some more complex models on hand for people to look at as well as some samples of more “period” type paper. But we will be using commercial origami paper (kami), because it’s cheaper and is easier to fold. Materials fee: $2. One hour. 12:15pm.

• Your Banner and You – Mistress Alayne Alexandra Nyvern Nightwatcher. Designing and making banners for your feast hall, wind wall or camping display. Bring your project ideas along. One hour. 2:45pm.

• Athena’s Thimble – Stitch ‘n, well, you know, with the East Kingdom’s embroidery guild. Paneling may take place. One hour. 4:00pm.

• The Guild of St. Severus (EK Knitters) – Come bring your knitting and chat about what you’re working on. We will be having a paneling if anybody wants to panel. One hour. 4:00pm.

• Spin-In – An opportunity for spinners to get together and just do their thing. All day, The Great Hall.

• Weaving Round Table – Meet, greet, catch up on, and chat with other weavers here. Bring your samples, photos, or anything else you’d like to share. One hour. 4:00pm.

• Worshipful Company of Narrow Workers – Meeting of the East Kingdom guild for narrow wares, which includes tablet weaving, fingerlooping, netmaking, and similar techniques. One hour. 4:00pm.

• Worshipful Company of Stationers – Round table of the East Kingdom guild for all the book arts – calligraphy and illumination (different from doing scrolls), printing, papermaking, and bookbinding. One hour. 4:00pm.

This page was created on 7 February 2008 and last updated on 6 March 2008.

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