Valley Yarns #232 Keen on Krokbragd

Valley Yarns Keen on Krokbragd Woven Pillow Cover

What Is Being Made

The Keen on Krokbragd is a handwoven pillow cover designed to fit a 14" pillow form, with finished dimensions of 12" x 12" x 2". This homeware project showcases the versatility of Collingwood Rug Wool through a traditional Scandinavian weaving technique. The design produces one complete pillow cover per project.

Weaving Technique: Krokbragd

Krokbragd is an accessible yet engaging 3-shaft point twill threading pattern that creates visual interest through strategic color placement rather than complex threading sequences. The technique features a consistent treadling pattern where colors are arranged in a specific order to generate geometric patterns across the fabric. This method requires focused attention during weaving, as the weaver must maintain precise pick sequences, but the repetitive nature makes it absorbing once started. The structure demands three picks to complete one full pattern unit, with 15 pattern units equaling one inch of finished fabric.

Striping and Color Placement

The design employs a striping technique where four distinct colors of Collingwood Rug Wool are arranged strategically in the weft to create patterned effects. The color palette includes Silver, Gray Blue, Mustard Seed, and Moss, combined with Ecru cotton accents. The placement of these colors in the treadling order determines the final visual pattern, demonstrating how Krokbragd achieves complexity through color arrangement rather than intricate threading.

Loom Setup and Equipment Requirements

This project requires a sturdy 4-shaft loom with a minimum weaving width of 20". The warp is threaded at 95 ends with a sett of 6 ends per inch (epi), using either a 6-dent reed with one end per dent or a 12-dent reed with a 1-0 pattern. The width in reed measures 15.8". Weavers need four ski or stick shuttles, or a combination of shuttles at least 12" long each, to manage the multiple weft colors. A walking foot is highly recommended for the subsequent sewing and pillow construction.

Yarn and Materials

Warp Yarn: Maysville 8/4 Cotton Carpet Warp in Ecru (#28), a 100% cotton yarn available in 0.5 lb tubes at 1,600 yards per pound. This project uses 285 yards of warp yarn.

Weft Yarns: The primary weft is Collingwood Rug Wool, an 80% wool and 20% nylon blend sold in approximately 1.1 lb cones at 900 yards per pound. Four colors are used: Silver (300 yards), Gray Blue (98 yards), Mustard Seed (73 yards), and Moss (51 yards). A small quantity of Maysville 8/4 Cotton Rug Warp in Ecru (#28)—a 100% cotton option sold in 8 oz. tubes at 800 yards per pound—provides 44 yards of additional weft. Note that weft yardage calculations reflect the final pillow and do not include sampling yarn recommended at the beginning of the warp.

Weaving Specifications

The total warp length is 3 yards of 95 ends, including 2 ends reserved for floating selvedges. The pick density is set at 45 picks per inch (ppi), creating a dense, durable fabric suitable for pillow covers. The combination of 6 epi sett and 45 ppi produces a balanced weave structure that showcases the Krokbragd pattern while maintaining fabric integrity for home use.

Design Credit

This pattern was designed by Barbara Elkins with sewing instructions provided by Marthe Young. The project demonstrates the designer's exploration of Collingwood Rug Wool's versatility through a classic weaving structure that combines traditional technique with contemporary homeware application.