Tag: Krokbragd

Becoming an author

KROKBRAGD Contemporary Weaver With Colour by Angie Parker

On January 28th 2025, I officially became the published author of KROKBRAGD – CONTEMPORARY WEAVING WITH COLOUR. A niche book about weaving this Scandinavian boundweave technique.

I am writing this, on 10 February – the first real opportunity to let it sink in.

Image of the new krokbragd book by angie parker
KROKBRAGD – CONTEMPORARY WEAVING WITH COLOUR

Any romantic childhood notions of what ‘being an author’ might entail were instantly bulldozed by a fabulously real and rather frantic few days. Whilst I might once have imaged the writers’ life to be sipping on Kir Royales, nibbling canapes, wearing marabou kitten heel slippers and a silk dressing gown, in a Barbara Cartland fashion, I did in fact spend 17 hours a day packing and carting books to the DPD drop-off at the corner shop.

On the day my book was released I got a congratulatory email from The Crowood Press, my publishers inquiring if I’d be celebrating the occasion with a glass of something fizzy (they were all for the romantic version too, it seems).

No, publishers, I didn’t do that on release day. Not because I don’t think it’s worth celebrating; I do. But because I was delighted to have pre-sold almost 250 before the publication date. With new orders coming in by the hour, over 250 copies needed to be packed and posted to the eager recipients who had been patiently waiting. Ideally, before I then had to teach a two-day weaving workshop at the weekend. This was way beyond the ‘best case scenario’ I’d dared to image.

A pallet with 300 books arrives in BS3 and it didn’t rain.
My books…and a race against the clock to get them posted to their owners.

I’d estimated that it would take 5 minutes to process and print the labels and to pack each parcel. Approximately 20 hours of work. I misjudged that massively….(or rather, I forgot to include breaks and interruptions).

I am still worshiping the printer for rising to this impressive challenge.

There are around 34 steps to process each order, including filling in customs forms and the new country-specific GPSR labels, though luckily my teen-elves got on board with the packaging when they weren’t in school. There is also a lot of cross-checking order details to help to prevent any mistakes and I must have seen the name of everyone who ordered a dozen times during the process. Each name feels like a familiar old friend (which some are, admittedly!).

And thank you elves who know exactly what to do whenever I fill the table with signed copies.

To keep my feet on the ground during this rather busy few days, my wing man/husband had just had hernia surgery and was on total bed rest (I was the worst nurse ever), the builders continued to work on the new home extension, the seam textile collective were on the final week of our Crowdfunder, and the eldest Parkerette had a driving theory test which somehow managed to involve a three-hour round trip in the middle of my busiest work day. (They passed).

Despite the everyday hurdles, I did manage to post 85% of the pre-orders within 36 hours, and 100% in less than 3 days. I can’t remember the last time I felt so tired, and I will be eternally grateful to our domestic printer for not playing up and rising to the challenge of approximately 700 print-outs!

One of six drop off’s over 3 days, and I’ve not been banned from any corner shops…yet.

So what is the book that has been winging its way around the country and globe all about?

It’s a detailed exploration of KROKBRAGD, the traditional Scandinavian weaving technique which I’ve been obsessed with for over 30 years and which has been at the heart of my weaving business.

In the book I share everything I know on the subject with over 400 photographs and numerous patterns and examples for inspiration.

One advantage of life and work being particularly busy is that I didn’t have a second to dwell on the jitters that go hand in hand with launching such a book into the world. By the time I had a moment to catch my breath, the feedback from recipients had started to filter through, and thankfully they were reassuring.

Here’s what readers are saying:

“I just received your beautiful book.
What a pleasure to initially skim through it and see all the photos and detail.
This book is so much more than I expected. 
There was obviously a lot of hard work to produce this and I thank you for that.
I’m sure I will be using this book enormously to guide me through my rug weaving.”

Janet, Santa Fe

“Mine arrived today – so lovely!
A wonderful mix of technical instructions and inspirational photos.”

Clare, UK

“Your book is spectacular Angie. It was a late Xmas present from my wonderful OH, as requested! The photographs of your brilliant weavings are truly inspiring, and to share your knowledge and tips with us is a very honorable step in helping us to improve our weaving skills on Krokbragd and rug making. So thank you!”

Sandy, UK

“Your beautiful book arrived today. It’s really gorgeous and full of so much wonderful information. The images and colour are stunning.”

Adah, USA

“Got my copy today. This book is a wonderful work of art itself, before I’ve even sat at my loom to try my first krokbragd weave! Congratulations on this beauty. I’ve been waiting for this kind of book for a long time.”

Gillian, UK

In all the busy-ness of life and work I’ve yet to formulate a slick marketing plan or launch party for the book, but I’m ready to start now that it is out in the world. An exhibition is booked at MAKE SW in August-Sept but the online course, workshops and book promo/demonstrations are still very much in the planning stages and making their way to the top of my list of things to do.

All the new workshop dates will be shared to my newsletter subscribers, so make sure you’re signed up to be the first to hear.

For now though, i think it really is time to drink something fizzy, and maybe weave some contemporary krokbragd… Know any books about this?

And yes…I did finally get to raise a glass to all the lovely people who’ve bought a copy of my book. THANK YOU!

KROKBRAGD – Contemporary Weaving With Colour is available now from all UK booksellers and signed copies from www.angieparkertextiles.com

NEW BOOK-AVAILABLE NOW

KROKBRAGD Contemporary Weaver With Colour by Angie Parker

KROKBRAGD – CONTEMPORARY WEAVING WITH COLOUR. Order here.

How can you tell when a non-writer is writing a book? Take a look in their kitchen cupboards. (They’re likely to be suspiciously tidy!)

As part of a 2014 business training program by The Crafts Council, I was asked to write a list of career aspirational goals beyond my wildest dreams. Writing a book about krokbragd was not on that list!

However, ten years later…

Like most non-authors, writing a book on the topic I’ve been passionate about for over 30 years was something that sat in the periphery of my consciousness, alongside things like running a marathon, mastering the piano, and sustaining a crop of tomatoes. Challenging and fulfilling things things that I most likely won’t get around to in this lifetime.

But when I was asked by The Crowood Press publishers at the beginning of 2022 if I would write a book for them, the flattery overcame any resistance and I agreed to deliver 50,000 words and images by February 2024. This would give me two years from the start of the conversations. Ages! I’ll have it done in eighteen months…easily!

It turns out that I’m with Douglas Adams when it comes to deadline, as he famously retorted,

“I love deadlines. I love the whooshing noise they make as they go by”.

Yes, the plan of suggesting a long lead time with the intention of delivering early was the sort of line that could win a prize at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival for it’s ‘laugh out loud’ sheer idiocy. How a woman in her fifth decade still hasn’t accepted that tasks will always grow to meet the deadline is the second most surprising thing about this book. The first, is that it did in fact get finished as is now available to order through my website. Yes, I actually did it!

Image of the new krokbragd book by angie parker
KROKBRAGD – CONTEMPORARY WEAVING WITH COLOUR. Actually existing beyond the million files in my long suffering and now unrepairable laptop.

Writing the book was an interesting experience and I enjoyed most of it. I took some advice from writer friends and focused on small chucks and tried to be disciplined. (Well, apart from a bit of Tupperware sorting on occasion). The book itself follows a popular formula covering history, equipment, materials, technical skills, inspiration, planning design, colour, rugs, applications and projects. Actually finishing the book and getting it in the right shape to deliver to the designer, however, was a whole different skill-set and not one that was suited to my ad-hoc methods of working. But; I persevered, asked for help when I got stuck, and eventually the final red line went through the last item on the seemingly never-ending to-do list. The sense of relief overshadowing any feeling of achievement in that moment.

In between the lines (and the 400+ photographs) I now see the incredible talent of the designers and editor who created a beautiful layout from the huge number of files I sent to the publishers inboxes. I see the generosity of the books contributors and supporters, the teachers who passed on their weaving skills and the friends, family and colleagues who encouraged and supported me along the way. The acknowledgements on the back page was by far the easiest part of the book to write and I could probably have written another 50,000 words on that. (And yes, I’m sorry for everyone that I missed out!)

So, here it is. A hardback book about contemporary krokbragd weaving, with my name and designs on the cover. It’s quite surreal and I’ve a new level of respect and admiration for anyone who has ever written a book before, and I’m in complete awe of those who do it for a living.

KROKBRAGD – CONTEMPORARY WEAVING WITH COLOUR has been on sale to pre-order from November 2024 and is now available for next day dispactch from my online shop. All the details are here.

And for those who ask if it’s something I’d do again? I think I have some weaving to be getting on with for now…

Focus/21

Design Centre, Chelsea Harbour with Contemporary Applied Arts

I’m delighted to showcase my original one-off handwoven artworks and digitally printed designs at this prestigious event from 20-24 September 2021

The remaining chair from the Danis Disruption Collaboration with Jonathan Rose Design also featured alongside the work of other members of Contemporary Applied Arts.

New WAVE Rug from Angie Parker Textiles

 The WAVE rug from Angie Parker Textiles 

For lovers of colour, textiles and quality British Craft.

IMAGE: Article Studio

Handwoven in my Bristol studio, this exclusive piece of contemporary craft brings a dash of colour and warmth to modern and traditional interiors.

This bespoke Krokbragd rug is heading to Decorex International 6-9 October 2019.

The exclusive design is also custom made to order, so clients can adapt the colours to fit in with their interior, or pick a combination to inspire a room make-over. The one in the photo measures 1mx1.6m

Does ‘Living Coral’ the Pantone Colour of the Year inspire you?

To help with decision making I post yarn samples and sketch up designs until everyone is happy that we’ve created the perfect rug. 

About the weaving….

I trained in rug weaving almost 25 years ago and specialised in Krokbragd; a traditional Scandinavian technique.

Photography:Kasia Fiszer Homes & Antiques Magazine

To create the distinctive patterns of Krokbragd (pronounced Kruuk-bra-g-ed), I pass the shuttle three times to create each solid row of colour. It’s a slow technique, but the finish is exquisite, durable and long lasting. With proper care, these rugs will last a lifetime.

The rug is woven using a specific linen for the warp, and Axminster rug wool (80% wool/20% nylon) for the weft. The nylon blend offers resistance to stains and moths, and you care for the rug in a similar way to a quality carpet. Of course, you might choose to hang it on the wall using an easy to fix baton.

Knowing the maker of your rug gives you 100% reassurance that your investment was created ethically.

You can judge the quality of a handwoven rug by the neatness of the selvedge. (I’ll just leave this here)

 I’ve created a straightforward process for commissioning my bespoke rugs, to keep the production time realistic, and only charge what you would expect to pay any skilled worker.

I have a limited amount of time scheduled to weave these rugs in 2019, and the order book is now open.
Drop me a line for prices, current lead times, any additional questions and to reserve your slot on my loom.