This is a list of the classes currently planned for Hrim-Schola VIII, hosted by the Shire of Frosted Hills, East Kingdom, Society for Creative Anachronism, Inc., on 13 March 2004. Please check back periodically to keep abreast of the offerings and their descriptions as they are added. Last updated 11 March 2004.

For further information, you can contact the instructors or the Chancellor, Þóra Sharptooth.

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.

Classes offered at Hrim-Schola VIII, 13 March 2004

This year Hrim-Schola is again fortunate to host instructors from no fewer than three kingdoms! We are offering an entire track of classes in loop-manipulated braiding, or fingerlooping.. We have our customary several tablet-weaving classes as well, plus three other fiber and needle arts tracks. Additionally, there will be tracks of classes in period cooking and herbalism, "sharp things," and the scribal arts. What follows are the confirmed classes.

Fingerlooping

Aiglets, Master John Elys
We'll briefly discuss the historical evidence for aiglets, aka lace chapes, aka lace tags, aka the things on the end of your shoelace that keep it from coming unravelled. Then we'll discuss the tools and materials necessary to make your own. Most of the class will be hands-on, making and attaching brass aiglets to laces. I'll bring some fingerlooped silk laces to attach to, but feel free to bring your own. One hour. 1:30pm.

Fingerloop Braids: Variations on a Theme, Mistress Rhiannon y Bwa
We will concentrate on two fingerloop braiding "recipes" and their variations, both medieval and modern. A system to keep track of new variations will be discussed. The two braid patterns featured will be the Grene Dorge (barley corn) and the spiral (lace bend round). Others possible, class time permitting. Please bring scissors. Limit 12. One hour. 12:15pm.

Introduction to Fingerloop Braiding, Lady Angharad o'r Rhosyn ferch Rhain
This hands on class will cover the basics of fingerloop braiding. Students will learn three different braids. Limited to 10; minimum age requirement 10 years. One hour. 11:00am.

Three's a Crowd: Fingerloop Braiding as a Mixer, Mistress Rhiannon y Bwa
Depending on the number, length of arms and fortitude of our students, we will team up 2-4 people to make one extended "mascle" braid (8 loops per "fellowe"). We will also study making a multiple person loop closure and tryout/discuss joining fellowes to turn single braid patterns into multiple person braid patterns. This is an experimental class--expect fascinating but tortured little braid samples that are hard to split between braiders! Students need to have knowledge of basic fingerloop braiding for this class and be able to count to eight repeatedly. Please bring scissors. Limit 12. One hour. 2:45pm.

Tablet Weaving

3/1 Broken Twill Tablet Weaving, Mistress Mirabel Belchere
Learn to tabletweave complex animal and plant motifs in 3/1 broken twill double cloth during this hands-on class. The class will cover the 1-pack method of weaving 3/1 twill, with the bulk of the session devoted to practice, practice, practice! This is an advanced class--students are expected to have an understanding of individual and small group card manipulation, with double- face experience preferred. Patterns and materials will be provided. Class size is limited to 5, with unlimited auditors welcome. Materials fee $5. One hour. 11:00am.

Double-Faced Tablet Weaving, Master Herveus d'Ormonde
Weave messages and other patterns in bands. If you can weave a simple band, you can do double-faced tablet weaving. The class will show the two-pack method as well as discuss drafting patterns. There should be time for a useful amount of hands-on practice. Materials needed: one yard or more of warp in two colors, about twenty cards. Materials will be available for a fee: $3 for cards with cotton warp; shuttles also available for $6-$8. Limit 6. Auditors welcome. One hour. 2:45pm.

Basic Tablet Weaving, Lord Gauen Wydefare
An introductory class for beginners. Instruction will be on basic structure and technique of tablet weaving, from ball of yarn to finished project. A brief history of the art will trace the outlines of its development and some applications from period, and for the Current Middle Ages. The first of two hours will be lecture and demonstration, the second hour will be hands-on learning. Materials will be available for ten students, but any number may sit in. A materials fee of $1 will cover the cost of yarn and basic tablets. Two hours. 12:15pm.

Tablet Weaving Structure and Theory, Lady Phiala O'Ceallaigh
Featuring, The five things you need to know to classify a tablet-woven structure, and How many structures are there, really? If you really want to understand the gritty details of tablet weaving, this is the class for you. This is an advanced class--students should have some experience with doubleface and 3/1 twill. Fee $4; limit 6. One hour. 1:30pm.

Spinning and Weaving

Fabric 102, Lady Maria Pienkneplotno
Fabric 102 is a hands-on fabric identification class, expanded from the Fabric 101 class I've taught at Pennsic for several years. Besides using the burn method of identification there will be a couple household chemicals demonstrated. We will also examine weave structure, thread twist and plies, and relate some period fabric to current fabric. Class size limited to 15. Fee $2.00 for handouts and swatches; 10x linen testers will be available for purchase. Two hours. 1:30pm.

How to Weave a Pouch in 3 Hours on a 5 Cent Loom, Lady Sarah bas Mordechai
For those of little desire for commitment, this is the class for you! Make a new pouch fast and learn some very basic weaving techniques in an affordable (understatement), speedy way? We'll use cardboard, pins and wool yarn to weave a circular pouch with a drawstring. Bring your own yarn, if you like, but it should be wool or another animal fiber. The last step is to felt or more properly said, full your pouch, so the choice of fiber is critical. Wool yarn will be available. Cardboard, pins, and "yarn needles" will be provided. Class limit 6, $2.00 fee. One hour. 1:30pm.

Spinning for the Rotationally Impaired, Lady Sarah bas Mordechai
[Title says it all!] One hour. 12:15pm.

Worsteds and Woollens, Mistress Brid nic Shearlais
This hands on class will explore the differences in production, texture, weaving, fulling, and use of these two fundamentally different techniques. Open to spinners, weavers, non-spinners, as well as the curious, with an eye toward re-enactment. Make a sample book to help you understand the differences between worsteds and woolens, in the yarn, and in the fabric. One hour. 11:00am.

Other Fiber Arts

Basic Sprang, Lady Alistrina de Mann
A brief historical discussion of sprang and how to make your own neat little bag, starting with warping your own loom to take with you when you go. Handout and materials will be provided to class participants for a $4 fee. Class limited to 4 participants. Two hours. 11:00am.

Beginning Counted Embroidery, Lady Eleanor le Brun
This is a beginners class covering the counted embroidery techniques used in the SCA period. It will focus on tent stitch and cross stitch but other techniques will be described in the handout such as double running stitch, brick stitch and pattern darning. There will be 15 free kits available to create a small pincushion or scissor fob; extra handouts and reference lists. One hour. 2:45pm.

Beginning Knitting in the Round, Mistress Rose Otter
Practice knitting with double pointed needles and learn the skills needed to make a simple hat. Class handouts will include patterns and some interesting information. Class limit 5 for class materials, unlimited for auditors. There is no fee. One hour. 2:45pm.

Lacis, the Other Sprang (or, What to Do after You've Made Your Net), Lady Mathilde Eschenbach
Although embroidery on a netted ground had its peak of popularity in the 16th century, this simple technique was being used several centuries earlier to decorate hairnets and many other items. Learn some of the history of lacis and its imitations, and practice the basic stitches. Limited to 10. One hour. 11:00am.

Netting, Mistress AnneLiese Wolkenhaar
In this hands-on class, students will learn the basic knot used to make netting which can be applied to any net from fine embroidery net to huge fishnets. Cost $3. One hour. 2:45pm.

A Short Introduction to Period Quilting, Lady Sarah Davies
If you think quilting is an American invention, think again! Learn about the 2,000 year history of quilting on linen and silk, see modern examples in the medieval style, then try your hand at the medieval backstitch technique. Materials for quilting a small linen pincushion or pouch will be provided. $2 copying fee. Two hours. 12:15pm.

Two Early Period Head Coverings: The Orkney Hood and the "Frauenhaube", Mistress Brid nic Shearlais
See two reconstructions of early headcoverings, discuss the documentation, and why I chose the approaches I did for reconstruction. Learn why early period doesn't need to be boring! One hour. 1:30pm.

Cooking and Herbalism

The Herbarium, Lady Johanna le Mercer
A Herbarium is not a Herbal, although its purpose is similar. It can be a fascinating learning tool and is a natural for people who like to collect things. This class will cover the history of these collections, outline methods for organizing and preserving them, and discuss their attractions for the modern herbalist. One hour. 12:15pm.

Humour Theory, Ancient and Modern, Lady Johanna le Mercer
The Theory of Humours sounds fantastic to moderns, but it was essential to the medieval worldview, in particular for those who dealt with medicine and health. In fact, it's an approach to organizing information, still in use today in some areas. This class will trace the history of the system and touch lightly on cognate systems, finishing up with some modern-day applications. One hour. 11:00am.

Keeping the "Bored" out of the Dayboard, Lady Brigitte Flamin
Ideas for "fleshing out" the dayboard; recipes that can be included without breaking the shire's budget, labor-saving techniques, beverage ideas. One hour. 2:45pm.

Medieval Sauces, Lady Jadwiga Zajaczkowa
We will discuss the creation and use of sauces in period and the theory of humors, along with the principles of cooking from period recipes. In the hands-on portion students will work in groups to recreate sauces from period recipes. One hour. 1:30pm.

Redactions of the Medieval Recipe, Lady Brigitte Flamin
This class will explore several recipes from documentable sources, their translation into modern terms, and ideas on how to prepare them. May be an optional fee of $1.00,which will offset the cost of spices that will be made available. One hour. 12:15pm.

Renaissance and Medieval Gardens, 2.0, Lady Jadwiga Zajaczkowa
Updated. Will cover basics of medieval and Renaissance garden design, with an emphasis on features that can be adapted to encampments and home gardens. Covers layout, fencing, water features, plants, etc. One hour. 2:45pm.

Classes That Involve Sharp Things

Ouch! Why Did That Knife Break?, Lord Thorvaaldr Frirsverth
Materials science for knives and tools. One hour. 2:45pm.

Period Knives That YOU Can Actually Make, Lord Thorvaaldr Frirsverth
How to make very good, period, knives, in the easiest, cheapest method. Discussion with props. One hour. 1:30pm.

Woodworking for Weavers: Take Home a Tablet Weaving Loom, Lord Haraldr Bassi
Hands-on construction of an adaptation of the Oseberg narrow band tablet loom using various hand woodworking tools including chisels, augers, planes and knives. No previous woodworking skills required. Materials fee $20; participants limited to 5. Auditors welcome. Workshop: two-plus hours. 11:00am.

Other Fun Stuff

Calligraphic and Illuminatory Theory, Lady Alayne Alexandra Nyvern Nightwatch
An introduction to the scribal arts of calligraphy and illumination. Students will get to experiment with a chisel point pen and to learn about the wonders of letters. Prerequisites: a sense of humor and a willingness to try something new. Limited to eight students. Age Limit: old enough to write and to sit quietly and learn for an hour and a half. One and a half hours. 11:00am.

Drawing for Scribes, Heralds and People Who Do Not Believe that They Will Ever Be Able to Draw, Lady Alayne Alexandra Nyvern Nightwatch
An introduction to basic drawing and copy work for people who are intimidated by the entire concept, and for beginning artists. Prerequisites: a sense of humor and a willingness to try something new. Limited to eight students. Age Limit: old enough to sit quietly and learn for an hour and a half. One and a half hours. 1:30pm.

Praise Poetry, Mistress Dorigen of Grey Gate
A discussion of poems of praise and "word-fame" with examples from both the Middle Ages and the Current Middle Ages. One hour. 12:15pm.

Round Tables and Affinity Group Meetings

Worshipful Company of Narrow Workers
Meeting of people interested in the incipient East Kingdom guild for narrow wares, which includes tablet weaving, fingerlooping, netmaking, and similar techniques. 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.

This page was created on 26 January 2004 and last updated on 11 March 2004.
Back to event listing
No soliciting!capriest@cs.vassar.edu