Topic: Introduction to Hardangersøm (Norwegian Hardanger Embroidery)

This presentation will provide an introduction to Norwegian Hardanger Embroidery, know as Hardangersøm. It will also cover a bit about the Hardanger region of Norway and the origins of this traditional Nordic art form.

Speaker: Bruce Fihe

I’ve been involved in fiber arts for longer than I can remember. My mother taught me to knit when I was five. I admit, I did not do much at that time. In my late teens I did a few projects and finally started serious knitting about thirty years ago. My focus was on Aron sweaters.

About 10 years ago, I became involved with the summer Language and Heritage Camps run by the Sons of Norway, when I was offered an opportunity to teach knitting to the 13- to 17-year-old group. Each summer after that, I taught myself a new Nordic craft so I could then teach the kids something new the next summer. The next craft was tablet weaving followed by Hardangersøm (Norwegian Hardanger Embroidery) and most recently Nålebinding (sometimes called single needle knitting).