Background:
According to some sources, finger weaving dates back to 300 A.D., prior to loom weaving in some parts of the world. Forms of finger weaving were used all across the world. Fletting, or finger weaving, is one of the oldest traditions in Norway and was used to decorate bunads or make hair bands. Beduin woman use finger weaving to finish off and/or add decoration to loom weaving. Nomadic tribes finger wove animal tack. Almost every country at one time or another used some form of finger woven braid. These braids were used in Scandinavia as garters and carrying straps (Hald 1980). Arrowhead and zig-zag patterns were common (created by the starting arrangement of colors, not by differences in method.) Scraps of wool braid were found at Mammen, and a leather strap made in this technique was found at Oseberg
According to some sources, finger weaving dates back to 300 A.D., prior to loom weaving in some parts of the world. Forms of finger weaving were used all across the world. Fletting, or finger weaving, is one of the oldest traditions in Norway and was used to decorate bunads or make hair bands. Beduin woman use finger weaving to finish off and/or add decoration to loom weaving. Nomadic tribes finger wove animal tack. Almost every country at one time or another used some form of finger woven braid. These braids were used in Scandinavia as garters and carrying straps (Hald 1980). Arrowhead and zig-zag patterns were common (created by the starting arrangement of colors, not by differences in method.) Scraps of wool braid were found at Mammen, and a leather strap made in this technique was found at Oseberg
Finger Weaving (or ‘peasant braids’) involves making woven cloth by using one's fingers to guide the wefts through the warp ends. It has a number of advantages in that it is simple to do and no special tools are needed, so it can be done anywhere. It is a practical way to make laces, belts, straps, sashes, hatbands, ties, and many other narrow wares. The simplest of these is the 3-strand flat braid. The most difficult that I have done here is the 16-strand flat braid or "Chinese Knot."
Materials:
Materials in period would have depended on the finished products use and materials available in the geographical location. Leather for tack, silk for decoration, wool for decoration, straps and bags are just some examples. The material is limited only by the imagination.
Materials in period would have depended on the finished products use and materials available in the geographical location. Leather for tack, silk for decoration, wool for decoration, straps and bags are just some examples. The material is limited only by the imagination.
I have used a variety of materials to see how they would look and how easy they would be to work with. I found it is easier to learn (and teach) a braid using 6-mm macrame and then progress to a smaller/finer material. I like wool to hold tokens and medallions. Cotton yarn is good for trim and belts. Modern materials are excellent for wash-n-wear trim (especially for kids) and anything you don't want to stretch too much (such as bag handles).
Notes:
What I am showing here are some examples of the most common braids used in period: 3-strand flat, 5-strand flat, 8-strand flat, 16-strand flat, 4-strand round, 6-strand round, 8-strand round, and 12-strand round. Most of the examples are unfinished as what the braid will be used for determines how it will be finished. For example, the green "Chinese Knot" belt was finished by whipping the end and creating a tassel. The red/black/white "Chinese Knot" will be used as trim so its end are unfinished. The 4-strand round braids have overhand knots on each end to be used as a tie )to tie up sleeves or as garters) or have been tied together to be used as necklaces.
What I am showing here are some examples of the most common braids used in period: 3-strand flat, 5-strand flat, 8-strand flat, 16-strand flat, 4-strand round, 6-strand round, 8-strand round, and 12-strand round. Most of the examples are unfinished as what the braid will be used for determines how it will be finished. For example, the green "Chinese Knot" belt was finished by whipping the end and creating a tassel. The red/black/white "Chinese Knot" will be used as trim so its end are unfinished. The 4-strand round braids have overhand knots on each end to be used as a tie )to tie up sleeves or as garters) or have been tied together to be used as necklaces.
For more information, bibliography, instructions, etc., please see the handout from the class I taught at Pennsic 2003.
Fingerwoven Green Celtic Braid
Fingerwoven using macrame cord (6mm) - first attempt at fingerweaving. Red braid is from nylon cord (frayed a lot!).
Close up of green braid
This is the same braid I taught at Pennsic
Cords for Silver Crescents (cords only)
4-strand round braided cords made from embroidery floss (25-strand DMC). Medallion is stuffed with cotton and cord sewn on
3 Strand Flat Braid Examples
Here are some of the examples used in the Pennsic class for braids and fingerweaving
5 Strand Flat Braid Examples
The same class was recently taught at the EKU in Montevale
8 Strand Flat Braid Examples
Smallest Braids are 25-strand DMC floss
4 Strand Round Braid Examples
Small braids are from 3-strand DMC floss and some from wool
6 Strand Round Braid Examples
Largest braids (class examples) are 6mm macrame cord
8 Strand Round Braid Examples
This can also be done around an inner cord or stick
12 Strand Round Braid Example
Haven't gotten the large example 100% yet, so no small examples :)
Stag pendant woven into a 4-strand flat braid
A knot was put under the stag's belly to hold him on
4-strand flat in a chevron
Pendant is just strung on - not woven on
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