This is a list of the classes currently planned for Hrim-Schola XIV, hosted by the Shire of Frosted Hills, East Kingdom, Society for Creative Anachronism, Inc., on 13 March 2010. Please check back periodically to keep abreast of the offerings and their descriptions as they are added, changed, or deleted. Last updated 9 March 2010.
For further class information, you can contact the instructors or the Chancellor, Þóra Sharptooth. You can consult this list for information about motels and other accommodations near the site. (Please note that the pricing information is a bit out of date, and the Alka Inn has been torn down.)
This document is a work in progress. It is provided as is without any express or implied warranties. While every effort has been taken to ensure the accuracy of the information contained, the authors assume no responsibility for errors or omissions, or for damages resulting from the use of the information contained herein.
© 2010, Carolyn Priest-Dorman and the instructors
Here below are the confirmed classes. Please stop by often to view updates as they occur.
Period Spinning Tools – Mistress Scolastica la souriete. A discussion of medieval spinning tools based on evidence from period illustrations and archeological finds. One hour. 11:00am.
Great Wheel Spinning – Lord Hugh Tauerner. Demo and hands-on. Two hours. Great Hall. 11:00am.
Introduction to Spinning – Lady Sarah bas Mordechai. One hour. 2:45pm.
Reproducing a Monmouth Cap – CANCELLED.
Spinning Flax with Spindle and Distaff – Mistress Anneliese Wolkenhaar. A hands-on class to learn to spin flax using a handmade spindle and distaff. No spinning experience necessary. Limit 10 hands-on participants, $5 materials fee. One hour. 1:30pm.
Synthetic Dyes for Natural Fibers – Mistress Phiala O’Ceallaigh. In an ideal world all our fibers would be naturally-dyed. But I don’t live in that world. Sometimes for reasons of convenience, cost or repeatability synthetics are a better choice. But which dyes for which fibers? Where to get them? Will they look glaringly modern? One hour. 11:00am.
Advanced Fingerloop Braiding – Lady Rosina von Schaffhausen. In this class, we will learn about the lace endented, an 8-loop braid with a very attractive zig-zag pattern. If time allows, we will also look at a closely related braid, the lace bend broad. These braids appear in both the Harley and Tollemache manuscripts. One hour. 2:45pm.
Introduction to Fingerloop Braids – Lady Elizabet Marshall. We’ll work with two simple fingerloop braids (“Pursestring” and “Two strings att once” from the fingerloop Complete Anachronist) to learn the basic terminology and moves. Limited to 10 people hands-on and handouts, additional observers welcome. No fee. One hour. 11:00am.
Introduction to Sprang – Lord Mikael Mccue. This class will go over the basics of the technique of sprang showing how to set up a frame, how to work the basic moves and how to finish a piece. Students will get the chance to work on a sample. Also, there will be samples of more advanced pieces and photos of period pieces. One hour. 12:15pm.
“Help! I’ve screwed up my tabletweaving!” – CANCELLED
Intro to Tablet Weaving, Ælfgifa’s Version – Mistress Ælfgifa of the Hazel Thicket. Starting with the basics: vocabulary (warp, weft, shed, shuttle); threading the cards (S and Z, changing threading direction, how threading affects the band); turning the cards (one direction, changing direction) and how that affects texture. I will bring along some of the books that I have acquired, to let people look through. And I will freely admit that I am still at the “look what I’m learning” phase of tablet weaving. Six sets of warped tablets will be available; students willing to work together can sign up in pairs. Sources list available. Limited to 12; auditors welcome. One hour. 12:15pm.
Snartemo Patterning – Lord Gauen Wydfare. During this class we will use a method of twill design to graph patterns for Snartemo technique in three and four colors. We will create patterns and turning diagrams to weave from. A working knowledge of tablet weaving is required. One hour. 2:45pm.
Decoding Knit – Lady Cristina Wunderin. Learning to recognize different stitches in the fabric of knit for reproduction whether it be a second sock or a hat from a museum in Germany. One hour. 11:00am.
Introduction to Knitting – Lady Michele of Unclaimed Crown Lands. Make a soda can sock/pouch to hide your mundane beverage container. Flat knitting, not making a tube. Will attempt to teach knitting and purling and at least two kinds of cast-ons. Please note that the instructor knits continental or by picking, can show you wrapping or English style, but not very good at it. Please bring your own size 6 to 8 needles or else you will be using sharpened chopsticks. Yarn will be provided but you can bring your own too. Materials fee $1. Will have enough “needles” for 10. First come first serve. Will have enough yarn for an army. Stashbuster! One hour. 1:30pm.
Knit Tech: Pattern Development – Lady Susanna Lockheart. Those darned medieval knitters didn’t leave us written patterns for their pieces! We will explore how to go about developing your own pattern to reproduce an extant item, including the maths. Some understanding of knitting techniques and historical pieces is assumed, but all levels are welcome, including non-knitters with interest in the subject. One hour. 1:30pm.
Math for Knitters – Lord Hugh Tauerner. How to use the power of mathematics to improve your knitted items. This class will teach you how gauge affects size, how to re-size patterns to fit, yarn quantity calculations, and the fine art of making motifs fit your stitch count (and vice versa). There will be a brief tangent into the geometry of knitted items. While most of the class will focus on modern knitting, the math does apply just as well to historic knitting. Bring questions and problem pieces if you wish. One hour. 2:45pm.
Techniques of Two-Color Knitting – Lady Arnleif the Red. Making a small bag knit in the round would be the basic project for the class. The participants would have to have knowledge of knitting in the round, or at least be an intermediate knitter. Supplies needed by the student would be yarn and double pointed needles. 12:15pm.
Nålbinding: Making a Sock – Lady Arnleif the Red. Construction of a basic small sample sock with the round heel. This is an intermediate class, in other words they need to know a stitch to use on the sock. Such as Oslo. There probably would not be time to work on a sock and teach a new stitch. Supplies needed by the student would be yarn and darning needle if they do not have a special nålbinding needle already. Two hours. 1:30pm.
Reproducing a Monmouth Cap – CANCELLED.
Cover that head! – Lady Isabel de Bayonne. The goal of this class is to introduce the student to simple head coverings from the 15th century and earlier. What would your persona have worn on a daily basis to work and play? Only very basic construction and sewing techniques will be covered; resources will be included for further study in that area. One hour. 2:45pm.
Introduction to “German” Brick Stitch – Lord Tristán Isidro de Alcaçar. A brief overview of the technique and its application in period (roughly 13th-15th centuries). Students will have the opportunity to work on a sample. Handout and materials will be provided (but if you have scissors, please bring them!) Limited to 10 students. Materials fee $3. One hour. 12:15pm.
Introduction to 12th-15th century Smocked Apron – CANCELLED
Period Breast Support – CANCELLED
A Shirt Fit for a Petty King: 5th Century Shirt from Högom – CANCELLED.
Simple Sewing for Fighters – Master Grim the Skald. Do want to stop wearing the UnderArmor, but really need some ideas? Is the dirty t-shirt you wear under your period looking breastplate getting old? This will be a course in making clothing for heavy weapons fighting. Clothing to wear under your armor, or over. We will discuss options for clothing, some basic techniques for putting it together. Grim will share his patterns, which are good for a 9th-11th century Norse fighter, but we will discuss applying them to other personas too. 1 hour. 12:15pm.
Amateur Woodcarving from Early Scotland – Master Peregrine the Illuminator. Participants will practice chip-carving in the style of the Birsay Box (Orkney, Scotland, some time between 640-860 c.e.). The class is limited to five people, plus those who bring their own carving blades. We will focus on wood carving safety, carving methods with basswood and chip carving blades, and design elements for this style. The class costs nothing: please pay $5 to keep one of the small boxes we will practice on, and $15 to keep one of the carving blades after class. One hour. 12:150m.
Coptic Bookmaking – Lady Heather Rose Gordon. Make and walk away with a soft cover book (or finish in the lunch room). Limited to 10. Small fee for supplies. Two hours. 1:30pm.
Origami - what do those pesky symbols mean anyway? – Lady Michele of Unclaimed Crown Lands. Have you ever picked up an origami book at the store full of seemingly wonderful models and once you’ve brought it home discovered you just can’t decipher the instructions? This class will focus on explaining what the origami diagrams are trying to convey, as well as troubleshooting why they don’t make sense. Sometimes it’s as simple as bad to no editing/proofreading on the publisher’s part and sometimes you just need to approach it from another angle. Origami is documentable in Japan to the Heian period. No, the class isn’t period at all, but people keep on saying they can’t figure out origami diagrams, so I thought this would be helpful. The teacher brings with her over ten years experience working on the publication committee of an amateur origami publication, which has it’s pros and cons. Please bring pencil and paper. We will diagram a simple model so you can break down the process for yourself. We will fold at least one simple origami model to be decided by class vote. Please bring any origami books you may have problems with and we will take a look time permitting. Warning: Anyone bringing in a supercomplex origami diagram and asking for help on step 53 will be asked to teach the class or targetted with origami waterbombs. One hour. 11:00am.
Bardic Performance Workshop – Master Grim the Skald, Lady Aoife Inghean Conchobhair. [Editor’s note: These are the King’s and Queen’s Bardic Champions!] Fight practice for bards! Not just a bardic circle, this is co-operative coaching workshop, where everyone who performs will get immediate and honest feedback, as well as suggestions on how to improve their performances. Anyone who comes is welcome to perform, to comment on the performances, or both. Singers, storytellers, musicians, poetry reciters are all welcome! Two hours. 1:30pm.
Early Irish Poetics Discussion – Lady Aoife ingen Conchobair. Medieval Irish poetry has been described as… complicated. Additionally, finding reliable information on Irish poetics can be difficult. We’ll discuss some of the poetics and sources to start learning early medieval Irish poetry. All those interested in early Irish poetry and literature are welcome. Limited to 12. One hour. 11:00am.
Improvisational Storytelling – Master Toki Redbeard. Throw away the script, the plan and your dignity. Make each performance a truly unique experience, and probably have more fun telling stories than you ever have. Limit 6 participants. One hour. 12:15pm.
Improvisation Workshop –The “Bards-on-Fridays” group. Coaching, fun and games to hone your improvisational skills. Limit 8 participants, but spectators are welcome-as many as will fit. One hour. 4:00pm.
This page was created on 5 February 2010 and last updated on 9 March 2010.
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