© 2009, Carolyn Priest-Dorman and the instructors

This year Hrim-Schola once again welcomes teachers from three kingdoms! This time around we offer tracks in fleece and spinning, narrow wares, knitting, needle arts, and other fun stuff. In celebration of the date for this year’s Hrim-Schola, March 14 (3/14), i.e., “Pi Day,” there will be a track of classes on mathematical topics, some of them specifically aimed at the textile artisan. And what would Hrim-Schola be without the traditional “Fun with Sharp Things” offerings?

Here below are the confirmed classes. Unless somebody else has to cancel, or someone adds a class on the day of the event, this should be the complete class list for the event.

Drop Spindle Spinning – Lord Hugh Tauerner. Ten kits will be available ($10/kit), or bring your own. Loaner spindles available. One hour. 12:15pm.

Sheep and Their Wool – Guðrun Þorsteinn’s daughter. A look at some different breeds of sheep and widely different wool they grow with samples from fine wools to long wools. There will be samples of some of the Northern Short-Tailed breeds such as Finnsheep, Icelandic, Gotland, Soay and Shetland wools. One hour. 1:30pm.

Spinning Tools – Mistress Scolastica la souriete. One hour. 11:00am.

Introduction to Fingerloop Braiding – Meistres Angharad verch Rhees. Do you have fingers? Do you like string? Then you too can learn to make stylish and period braids that can be used for everything from drawstrings to bodice laces! This basic class will cover four different and simple braids. Limited to 10, age limit 10 and up, no fees. 2:45pm.

Introduction to Knotted Netting – Lady Isabel De Bayonne. Is your old crocheted snood always falling off your head? Come learn how to make one that will stay on, AND keep the authenticity geeks happy. This class will teach the basic steps of knotted netting including casting on, netting in the round, increasing, and decreasing. The same basic stitch can be used for everything from a hairnet fine enough to embroider over, to a net strong enough to catch a fish! A small donation is appreciated if you would like to keep your needle. Supplies will be limited to 10 people, sharing will be necessary for a larger class. One hour. 11:00am.

Multiperson Fingerloop Braiding – Lady Rosina von Schaffhausen and Lord Andreiko Eferiev. We would prefer that those attending have done a fingerloop braid before, but it is not required. The intent is to teach a two-person braid from either the Harley or the Tollemache manuscript. Those attending need not bring a partner. One hour. 12:15pm.

Symmetries of Narrowwork Patterns – Lady Rosina von Schaffhausen. When designing a particular piece of narrowwork, the narrowworker has an infinite number of motifs to choose from. One would then think that there are an infinite number of ways to make that motif repeat, right? Wrong! In fact, there’s only seven possible ways to make a repeating narrowwork pattern. We’ll learn how to identify the different types, and if there’s time and interest, discuss multicolored patterns, single motif patterns and fabric patterns. One hour. 2:45pm.

The Geometry of Tablet Weaving – Mistress Phiala O’Ceallaigh. It’s all about angle and sequence and layer, and if you understand the geometry, then you’ll never be perplexed by a tablet weaving pattern again. This class will cover “the laws of tablet weaving” and their application, plus some geometry tricks that you may find useful. Weavers of all levels are welcome. One hour. 11:00am.

Intermediate Tablet Weaving Techniques – Mistress Mirabel Belchere. Description forthcoming. 2:45pm.

Pattern Design for Tablet Weaving – Lord Gauen Wydefare. In this class we will discuss designing your own patterns for tablet weaving. We will cover design elements from basic lines up through more complex geometric forms and heraldic charges. Students should have at least a basic understanding of double-face double-turn tablet weaving, and be able to follow a graphed pattern. Two hours. 12:15pm.

Snartemo V Style Tablet Weaving – Master Herveus d’Ormonde. 2:45pm.

Symmetries of Narrowwork Patterns – Lady Rosina von Schaffhausen. See description under Narrow Wares, above. 2:45pm.

Brocade on a 4-shaft Loom – Mistress Alistrina de Mann. Hands-on brocading on a four-shaft table loom. Previous weaving experience is helpful, but be aware that this is not a beginning weaving class. Limited to 5 hands-on attendees, to ensure that everyone gets time on the loom; however, auditors are most welcome! Handouts provided. One hour. 1:30pm.

Come Waulk with Me! – Lady Siobhan MacConmara. After a brief introductory class on waulking – a process for fulling cloth – be prepared to roll up your sleeves and get your hands wet as we waulk newly woven wool to traditional Scottish Gaelic songs. Two hours. 1:30pm.

Introduction to Knitting – Meistres Angharad verch Rhees. Want to know why so many people are knitting, but you’ve never picked up a set of needles? Then this is the class for you! We’ll cover casting on, knitting, purling and binding off in this class for the total beginner. But be warned! Knitting can be addictive! Limited to 10, no age limit, $5 if people keep the materials or they can come with their own needles and yarn. 11:00am.

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.

Introduction to 12th-15th century Smocked Apron – Lady Ysemay Sterlyng. This class will provide basic instruction for creating a smocked apron appropriate for the 12th-15th centuries. Students will have the opportunity to practice smocking techniques that may later be applied to the creation of an apron. Materials and handouts will be provided. One hour. 12:45pm.

Make a Venetian Flag Fan – cancelled.

New! Period Breast Support – Signora Catalina Doro. The hardest thing for re-enacting women to give up is their bra. In this class, I will present my research on period forms of breast support, from the Roman era to the Renaissance. This class is still in development and discussion is welcome. NOTE: This will include a frank discussion of breasts. Please do not attend if you find the topic disturbing. One hour. 11:00am.

Overview of 12th Century Clothing – Lady Briony of Chatham. Using twelfth Century sculpture and illumination sources, this class explores the cut, style, and embellishment of twelfth century clothing, particularly the elusive bliaut. Focus is on women’s clothing, but men’s clothing is explored too. One hour. 2:45pm.

Period Fabrics: a Swatchbook – Signora Catalina Doro. This is a class on period clothing fabric. In it, we cover what fabrics were used for different types of garments, and modern sources for said fabric. We will be making a swatch book to take home with you, so that you can experience the actual fibers. Two hours. 1:30pm.

The Real Deal: Working with a Mundane Historic Textile Collection – cancelled.

What We Wore before the Year 1000 – Mistress Brid nic Shearlais. A survey of fabrics, garment construction, and style pre-1000 in northern Europe and Africa. One hour. 12:15pm.

Accomptynge by Counters NOW IN ENGLISH! – Master Dofinn-Hallr Morrisson. Learn the secrets of Appulegius the Philosopher! Addition! Subtraction! Multiplication! And (if time permits) Division! All with just a few counters (depending on quantities in question) and all in English, not a word of Latin required! We will be working directly from one of the few extant English texts on Arithmetic. One hour. 12:15pm

Aesthetics, and the Characteristics of Beautiful Things – Master Peregrine the Illuminator. A discussion led by Peregrine the Illuminator, on aesthetics, and the characteristics of beautiful things. The theories of Plato, Aristotle, and Thomas Aquinas influenced the works of the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, and also influence our works in the current Middle Ages. One hour. 2:45pm.

I’m My Own Grandpa: Alcuin’s Book of Logic Problems – Master William the Alchymist. Around 800, Alcuin of York wrote a collection of problems to “sharpen the minds of the young.” This work includes a number of practical problems ranging from geometrical and arithmetical questions, to surprisingly familiar logical chestnuts. One hour. 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. 11:00am.

Symmetries of Narrowwork Patterns – Lady Rosina von Schaffhausen. See description under Narrow Wares, above. 2:45pm.

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.). Here’s a link to a picture of the box we’ll use as our inspiration and a picture of the chip carving knife we’ll be using. The class is limited to five people, plus those who bring their own carving blades. The class 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 $15 if you wish to keep one of the carving blades after class. One hour. 12:15pm.

Introduction to Early 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 (Jorvík), 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. Two hours. 1:30pm.

Weaving Tablets – Lord Wulfhere se 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. The session 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 Queen’s 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 8. One hour. 11:00am.

Bardic Performance Workshop – Master Grim the Skald. “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. 11:00am.

Norse Poetry Overview – Master Grim the Skald. Are you a performer, a scroll-writer, or just someone who wants a better appreciation of the Sagas? Have you ever wanted to end a poetic line in “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. This year, we’ll take a particular eye toward using it in the SCA – when which forms are the most appropriate and how to use them. If time allows, we’ll play with Kennings and perhaps write a stanza or two. One hour. 2:45pm.

• A&S 50 Challenge – Meet and greet participants in the A&S 50 Challenge. One hour. 4:00pm.

• 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.

This page was created on 15 October 2008 and last updated on 13 March 2009.

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