How a remarkable vintage Swedish hand-written book landed in my lap.
Don’t judge a book by a very unassuming cover…
In the summer of 2024 I became the owner of the late Peter Collingwood’s collection of over 1000 weaving books and periodicals. (This followed the rest of the contents of his Nayland workshop but that’s another story).
It’s safe to say that I’m unlikely to run out of weaving books to read in my lifetime and really have no need to source anymore.
Some of my current book collection in it’s former home at The Old School Workshop in Colchester
However, when a chance conversation with a fellow guest at a friends wedding led to the topic of weaving, the eyes of my new found friend lit up. “I’ve a book that I think you’d like..”
She described the book and although I don’t remember the details of our conversation, (wine may have been flowing), I clearly showed enough interest that it was decided that the book (or textile treasure as I was soon to discover) was coming to me.
When I did finally lay eyes on this absolute treasure I couldn’t quite believe my good fortune.
It’s a privilege to add this textiles treasure to my weaving library.
Each draft is painstakingly hand painted
The intricate handwoven samples are exquisite
Each of the 253 pages is a work of art
It is truly exquisite and I feel incredibly privileged that it’s now in my library.
Here’s what I know about the author so far:
Gundla Gustafson. Born April 16th 1915 in Äsperöd, a small village 50 miles to the east of Malmo in Sweden. One of 7 siblings, two boys, and five girls all of whom were trained weavers but she was the star. She married in her late thirties, outlived her husband, lived on her own until she was 99 and then in a care home for 2 years and died aged 101.
What next?
I’m really looking forward to finding about more about Gustafson as her nieces widower has family records that I believe he is happy to share with me. I’ll update this post in due course.
When I set out in business I had no expectation that my job would ignite an interest in conservation and historical textile research. However, these happenstance acquisitions do suggest that the universe is sending me down this path don’t you think? I feel that opening a ‘specialist weaving resource centre’ for future generations might be moving up my ‘to-do’ list…
If this sort of thing interests you too, or you’d like to hear about opportunities to visit my studio and library please may I ask that you sign up to my mailing list and also drop me a short email. I’m currently tied up with weaving orders in the studio, but I’ll create a database with expressions of interest so I know where to find you when I’m ready for the next phase.
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.
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
