Workshops & Lectures

To Elsebeth Lavold, sharing her skills in hands-on workshops is a definite highlight among all the assignments that fill her calendar. And she does it well; regardless of if the teaching is carried out in English, Swedish or Danish.

From a Viking Knits workshop in Kent, Washington, 2004
Workshop at Pastimes Yarns in Kent, Washington

She is also frequently asked to appear as speaker at various events, and it doesn't have to be as big a setting as the XRX's Stitches events, where she has been keynote speaker on two occasions.
This page is a summary of Elsebeth Lavold's current workshops and lectures in English, but she doesn't mind if you have suggestions for other subjects as well.

Number of participants, for any of the workshops described below, should not exceed 20 (15 recommended).

Book signings are possible in conjunction with any type of event.

For more information about costs, travel agenda etc.,
please contact us at info(a)ingenkonst.se

Workshops

Basic Viking Knits; 3-6 hrs
Discover the wonderful world of Viking cables, a 1000-year-old treasure of patterns re-discovered in a new technique. Join Elsebeth as she focuses on the technical aspects of knitting Viking Patterns. Learn how to cable without a cable needle. Analyze a simple Viking Interlace ornament. This class aims to give you confidence in reading charts, knitting Viking (and other) cable patterns, and get you started on the road to creating your own variations.
Intermediate.
Students should know how to do basic cabling.

Viking Knits; 6-18 hrs
Discover the wonderful world of Viking cables, a 1000-year-old treasure of patterns re-discovered in a new technique. Join Elsebeth as she focuses on the technical aspects of knitting Viking Patterns. Learn how to cable without a cable needle. Analyze Viking Interlace ornamentation and then begin designing your own cable patterns. This class allows for a greater depth in the study of the Viking patterns and more time for your own experiments.
Learn how to miter corners in cable patterns. Then consider using the patterns on your own projects - designing with cables and mitered corners. Internal shaping in cable knits and finishing will also be discussed.
Intermediate to advanced.
Students should know how to do basic cabling.

Elsebeth Lavold: Swatch Afghan

A detail from Elsebeth Lavolds "swatch afghan" from her early experiments with Viking Knits.

Designing with Cables; 3-6 hrs
Cable patterns do not behave like stockinette. Learn the grammar of cable patterns. What to consider when designing garments with cables - placement of patterns, panels, borders and motifs. Sizing, internal shaping, yarn choice considerations and how to create the look you desire. Under Elsebeth's guidance, you can get started on designing your own cable patterned heirloom sweater. Her finishing techniques will help enhance the finished garment.
Intermediate to advanced.
Students should know how to do basic cabling.

Menja, example of an unusual cable design

Viking Animal Ornamentation/ Knitted Appliqué; 3-6 hrs
Serpents, dragons and other mythical creatures have appeared on several of Elsebeth's designs. Here you will get the basic knowledge to get started on your own versions. Shaping, details and basic appliqué techniques are some of the aspects dealt with in this class, always with a generous sprinkle of Viking history.
Intermediate.

Runes; 3 hrs
In Viking times, runes were associated with magic and special powers. Get started on knitting your own power emblem - your name or a short word. We touch on choosing runes with the correct sound value, spacing and placement on your project.
Intermediate.
Students should know how to do basic cabling.

The sweater Brage contains elements from three of Elsebeth Lavold's classes

Speeches & Lectures

Elsebeth Lavold can talk for hours about practically any knitting related subject, and gladly does her best to answer any questions her audience might have.
Her, to date, most elaborate speech is Viking Knits and the History of Knitting, a 90 minute presentation of the Viking Knits Project along with highlights from the origin of various knitting techniques and materials as well as some glimpses of Viking history that she has encountered in her research. An extensive collection of photos and drawings accompanies the speech. *)

Please feel free to suggest other subjects for speeches and lectures, but please note that a visual presentation may require quite some time to be prepared.

*) Elsebeth Lavold uses PowerPoint for her visual presentations, and can't always bring her own laptop on travels. A minimum requirement to show images is a large computer monitor or (preferably, and depending on the number of participants) a video projector. A Windows based computer, equipped with software to show PowerPoint presentations, may be required.