Rya Ruminations with Åsa Viksten Strömbom
Rare opportunity to study with a world expert — 2 techniques
Instructor: Åsa Viksten Strömbom
Dates offered 2025: Jul 28 – Aug 1
The rya technique is at least over 1000 years old and was first used in coverlets. In this class we will learn how to weave a little-known technique of rya on a bird’s eye or diamond twill ground. You will have a loom to yourself for your fabulous creation. At least three ways to make the knots will be offered. A special feature of these techniques is that the knots are not visible on the smooth side, making both sides decorative. You’ll choose your own color combination for your striped wool warp; for the weft, rya yarn is a common choice but it can be mixed with other materials like linen or fabric strips.
Projects
On your own loom:
Each student will have a personal loom with a 2-meter wool warp to thread and weave on.
Shared looms:
Three looms will be ready for you to test out weft-loop weave, an unusual and fascinating structure featuring free-form designs made of loops.
Culture session
Åsa will provide us with a
rich classroom presentation
describing the work and
research she has done on
these fascinating rya
techniques, along with an
inside view of the history
and culture behind them.
Schedule
Mon – Will be spent threading and tying up the looms.
Tue – We will start to weave on the big projects with Åsa’s kind and patient tutelage.
Wed – Weaving will commence on the shared weft-loop weave, as weaving on the main projects continues.
Thu – Åsa will start to coach students on finishing techniques.
Fri – Display of everyone’s work and discussion.
My name is Åsa Viksten Strömbom and I live with my husband Leif, my looms, and Rufus the cat in a house in Bälinge, a small village about 8 miles north of Uppsala.
I have participated in several projects and exhibitions and have held courses and lectures, mainly on weaving. Last year I had the opportunity to give a course in Bound plattväv and Rya variations at Vävstuga Weaving School. I have written two books. One is about two weaver brothers and their technique Bound plattväv, and the other is about weaving and materials past and present in Uppland, Sweden. Both contain historical flashbacks and weaving drafts.
My focus is to weave products for daily use. I like to use older fabrics as a source of inspiration to create products adapted to our times. Natural materials are my favorite, but sometimes even slightly odd materials can become features in the fabrics.
Check out Åsa’s books in our store:
- Bottentäcken och vävarbröderna i Kubbe (Bound plattväv coverlets and the Kubbe’s weaver brothers)
- Upplandsvävar i ny form (Uppland weaves in a new form)
Find more info on Åsa’s site textiltdaochnu.com
Textilt Då och Nu
(Textile Then and Now)
Register now
Prerequisites: Vävstuga Basics or considerable weaving experience
Max enrollment: 12
Location: Barn Studio
Course fee: $1100 (includes all instruction and studio time, course handouts, lunch Mon–Fri, dinner Thu)
Materials fee: $105
Days offered: Five-day session, Mon–Fri
Schedule: Instruction time 9:00–noon and 1:30–4:00. Exceptions: on the last day, checkout must be completed by noon. Once a session begins, the Barn studio is available at all hours.