DUPLICATION PROHIBITED M by copyright holder EDIEVAL nspired by the richly decorated interiors Iof medieval churches in the province of Uppland, Sweden, this gorgeous book is a visual playground for the knitter. - nna-Karin Lundberg began knitting I PRAISE FOR NSPIRED Author, graphic artist, and hand-knit Aas a child and is a self-taught graphic designer Anna-Karin Lundberg provides and textile designer with a university EDIEVAL NSPIRED NITS M -I K a stunning photographic glimpse into her degree in musicology and ethnology. She country’s creative and religious history while is the designer behind the Kajsa Sticks “A brilliant collection of knits...a visual feast.” explaining her own fascination with the collections—playfully traditional designs KNITS VOGUE KNITTING motifs, colors, and shapes of the Middle Ages. for hand-knit garments that are fun to knit Lundberg then seamlessly translates the and easy to wear. Historical inspiration is a “A book worth seeking out.” luxurious swirling vine patterns, graceful common trait in Lundberg’s designs, and her KNITTY.COM borders, and exciting color combinations fascination with period costumes is reflected “Inspiring.” from dozens of dramatic mural paintings in her motifs, colors, shaping, and knitting Ages Shapes and of the Middle Colors, the Motifs, Featuring 20 Projects LIBRARY JOURNAL and period textiles into sumptuous modern- technique (www.kajsasticks.se). “Stunning...clear and detailed.” day knits anyone can wear. EXAMINER EDIEVAL- NSPIRED Knitters will find step-by-step instructions M I for 20 original projects, including sweaters, Anna-Karin Lundberg translates luxurious swirling vine patterns, vests, jackets, scarves, and gloves. There are For a complete list of knitting titles, contact: graceful borders, and exciting color combinations from the patterns for women, men, and children, and dramatic mural paintings and period textiles of medieval churches TRAFALGAR SQUARE BOOKS into sumptuous modern-day knitwear. This fabulously tips for sizing and finishing. Throughout, Box 257, Howe Hill Road illustrated book includes: full-color photos and diagrams provide North Pomfret, Vermont 05053 ample points of reference to ensure unique 800.423.4525 Sweaters, vests, jackets, scarves, and gloves 20 ProjectsKNITS Featuring the Motifs, Colors, and Shapes of the Middle Ages and striking results. www.trafalgarbooks.com for women, men, and children Medieval-Inspired Knits shines a fresh and Step-by-step instructions and diagrams glorious light on the look of the Middle Ages, proving that what’s old can indeed Gorgeous color photographs of projects and period frescoes be made new again, with yarn and knitting needles as the means of reinvention. A brief history of Swedish church paintings and textiles Printed in China www.trafalgarbooks.com $21.95 USD Lundberg ISBN 978-1-57076-880-4 5 2 1 9 5 9 781570 768804 Anna-Karin Lundberg $21.95 © Anna-Karin Lundberg, and Trafalgar Square Books www.trafalgarbooks.com Medieval Knits PB Full Cover.indd 1 12/14/17 10:18 AM DUPLICATION PROHIBITED by copyright holder Acknowledgments extend a big thank-you to everyone who helped make this book possible. Thank you to all the kind and very helpful church wardens who allowed us I into the churches so we could look and be astonished as well as take photo- graphs. Thank you to the photo models: Veronika, Lina, Herman, Erik, Axel and Mattias and the dog, Inga. Thank you to Kenneth for the lovely pictures of the photo models. Thank you to Eva Berg Hallberg and the government property of- fice for allowing us to take photos in the exciting cloister room in the Östra Gym- nasiehuset on Riddarholm in Stockholm. Thank you to Solbritt Benneth and Tina Rodhe at Museum of Medieval Stockholm for loaning us what we needed. Thank you to all the committed and encouraging people for support and advice: family, friends, neighbors, and all the friendly souls at the Historic Institute at Stockholm University. Thanks once more to everyone! First published in the United States of America in 2012 by Trafalgar Square Books North Pomfret, Vermont 05053 www.trafalgarbooks.com First paperback edition 2018 Originally published in Swedish as Maskor och Medeltid © 2012 Anna-Karin Lundberg, Tom Silvennoinen and Ica Book Publishers, Forma Books AB English translation © 2012 Trafalgar Square Books All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, by any means, without written permission of the publisher, except by a reviewer quoting brief excerpts for the purpose of review in a magazine, newspaper or web site. ISBN: 978-1-57076-880-4 Library of Congress Control Number: 2012950746 Translation: Carol Huebscher Rhoades Photography: Kenneth Ekelöv, Tom Silvennoinen Proofreading/Copyediting: Eva-Lotta Staffas Graphic Design: Collegit Camera-ready copy: Linda Andersson Editor: Susanne af Klercker Printed in China 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 © Anna-Karin Lundberg, and Trafalgar Square Books www.trafalgarbooks.com Medieval Knits_Interior RP.indd 4 12/13/17 11:53 AM DUPLICATION PROHIBITED by copyright holder Table of Contents Introduction 7 Tierp Group 91 Church Paintings 7 Sånga Leaf Pattern Vest 92 Early Knitting in Sweden 9 Sånga Carnation and French Lily Sweater 96 Colors, Materials, and Knitting Techniques 9 Sånga Verdigris Panel Child’s Sweater 102 Knitting Instructions 11 Sånga Verdigris Panel Sweater 106 Sånga Brocade Flower Jacket 110 Albertus Pictor 13 Löt Angel Wings Cardigan 14 Knitting Techniques 116 Löt Saint’s Floor Jacket 20 Techniques used in the Book 116 Härkeberga Twisted Leaf Panel Sweater 26 Gauge 116 Härkeberga Golden Cloak Sweater 32 Cable cast-on 117 Härkeberga Flowery Vine Vest 36 Color pattern knitting 118 Härkeberga Small Leaf Sweater 40 Intarsia 121 Bromma Starry Sky Sweater 44 Cable knitting 122 Finishing 122 The Mälar Valley School 51 Embroidery on Knit Fabric 125 Norrsunda Angel with Pillar Cardigan 52 Button loops 126 Norrsunda Wreath Pullover 56 Buttonholes 126 Norrsunda Saint’s Flower Vest 62 Weaving in ends 126 Norrsunda Saint’s Flower Child’s Holes 126 Sweater 66 Garment care 126 Norrsunda Trefoil Sweater 70 Abbreviations 127 Norrsunda Arch Panel Vest 74 Yarn 127 Villberga Grapevine Half Gloves 80 Litslena Chevron Scarf 86 Bibliography 128 © Anna-Karin Lundberg, and Trafalgar Square Books www.trafalgarbooks.com Medieval Knits_Interior RP.indd 5 12/13/17 11:53 AM DUPLICATION PROHIBITED by copyright holder The paintings in Härkeberg church were made by An example of how the colors in the paintings in Albertus Pictor in the 1480’s and represent a prophet. Härkeberga church have changed. The sleeve painted on a foundation of wood is still a clear orange while the shoulder and collar that were painted on quicklime plaster are a noticeably darker shade. pages where the Bible’s stories are illustrated with the best known example of such comprehensive two stories portending of the Old Testament for entrepreneurs for the church. Pearl knitting is an every New Testament motif. The Biblia pauperum older word for embroidery and many artfully em- was not a cheap edition of the Bible but was a pic- broidered church textiles from Albert’s studio are ture Bible intended for the “poor in spirit,” particu- still preserved. larly aimed at parish priests so that they could bet- With time the paintings went through various ter explain the biblical texts to their parishioners. changes. During the eighteenth century, literacy In Sweden the 1460 edition became the dominant increased in the parishes and people read psalm model for mural painting in the churches. books during the services. More light was then The paintings were made during the light and needed and therefore new windows were installed warm summer months and were probably finished on the churches’ previously closed north side, and, within one season. During the winter half of the at the same time, small existing apertures were year the artist’s studio – consisting of the paint- enlarged. As a consequence, some of the wall ing master himself and one or two journeymen and paintings were destroyed while the paintings on apprentices – was probably occupied with other the vaults, for the most part, escaped unscathed. projects. For example, they might make prepara- Many paintings were whitewashed over because of tory sketches for the next project and other fur- changed aesthetic ideals: clean white church inter- nishing details for the church interior, such as the iors became desirable in line with neoclassical style. carvings and textiles. Albertus Pictor (or Albert the The nineteenth century interest in archeological painter as he is sometimes called), who was also research led to a renewed look at the old church known under the name of Albert pearl knitter, is frescos around the end of the century. The goal was – 8 – © Anna-Karin Lundberg, and Trafalgar Square Books www.trafalgarbooks.com Medieval Knits_Interior RP.indd 8 12/13/17 11:54 AM DUPLICATION PROHIBITED by copyright holder Albertus Pictor he originator of the paintings in Löt church is considered to have been someone in Al- T bertus Pictor’s circle of painters who pos- sibly worked under the supervision of Albertus himself. This picture shows one of the roof vaults. Albertus often used the Biblia Pauperum as a mod- el and his paintings in the pictured room are dis- tinguished by more substantive figures with great- er depth than those of earlier church painters. The garments in this section were inspired by the paint- ings in the Härke, Löt, and Bromma churches. © Anna-Karin Lundberg, and Trafalgar Square Books