Norwegian Hardanger Lace

Known as Hardanger in North America, this distinctive needlework emerged in the Hardanger region during the Renaissance, where skilled artisans developed techniques that balanced the practical needs of household linens with an aesthetic that celebrated both precision and beauty.

Unlike other European lace traditions that relied on bobbin work or needle lace, Hardanger embroidery begins with woven fabric, using the existing thread structure as a foundation for creating openwork patterns. This approach reflects the resourcefulness of Norwegian crafters, who developed methods to embellish and strengthen textiles using minimal additional materials while creating stunning visual effects.

In this beginning workshop, students will learn the fundamental Hardanger stitches that have remained unchanged for generations: Kloster blocks that create secure foundations for threads to be removed, woven bars that span open spaces with structural integrity, delicate Dove's Eyes that add decorative elements within the openwork, and precise buttonhole stitches that finish edges with both beauty and durability.

Working on evenweave fabric, students will create a scissor fob that incorporates all these fundamental techniques—a practical piece that Norwegian needleworkers would have made to keep their cutting tools safely tethered. The instructor will demonstrate how these same stitches can be adapted for table runners, decorative panels, and clothing details, showing examples of traditional applications alongside contemporary interpretations.

After completing the fob, students will begin a second project, allowing time to practice these foundational skills while introducing additional stitches that expand the vocabulary of this rich textile tradition.