Åkle

Åkle is a historical Norwegian textile used for bed clothing. Long before sheets and duvets with down, feathers or synthetic fillings protected by covers in printed cotton fabrics were available, sheep skins were used to keep warm. Several sheepskins were sewn together, and the skin side was covered with a woven fabric called Åkle. The word åkle stems from the norse word åklædi, which meant bed cover. In 2016 I  applied for and received the Norwegian folk art grant.  I wished to create new textiles inspired by åkle patterns in the museums using yarn from rare Norwegian sheep species and this portfolio is a result of my work with the old patterns.

Photo by Bjørn Jørgensen