News
-
Update on Swedish Pattern Booklet
This booklet has been out of print for a while, but I’m happy to announce that a second printing is now available, exclusively at the Vesterheim Museum Store. https://store.vesterheim.org/products/swedish-pick-up-patterns-by-heather-torgenrud?_pos=1&_sid=6bfc8f1a6&_ss=r If you prefer a pdf format instead, please contact me. I’ll send you an invoice for $10 and email the pdf to you. Thanks to Joanne… Continue reading
-
The Bandweaver’s Project Book Coming Soon!
Thirty-Four Stylish and Practical Designs + Clever Finishing Techniques The Bandweaver’s Project Book is scheduled to go on sale June 28, 2026 in the U.S. and Canada and August 28, 2026 internationally! See the Contents and sample pages, and pre-order if you wish, at the sites listed at the end of this post. This is… Continue reading
-
Norwegian Bandweaving Presentation on YouTube
The Norwegian Bandweaving presentation that I did for Vesterheim in September, 2025, is now on YouTube. You can watch it here. See how to tell the difference between the two traditional pick-up weaves and at the many ways these beautiful bands were used in the farm society in the 1800s—from apron bands and hairbands to… Continue reading
-
Book Reviews for Pick-Up Bandweaving Designs
Thank you to Annie MacHale (https://aspinnerweaver.blogspot.com/) and to Mary Skoy, of the Weavers Guild of Minnesota, for reviewing my second book. Annie’s review appeared in the Fall 2025 issue of Little Looms magazine. Little Looms is a great resource for bandweavers, and this Fall issue includes some great inkle projects, as well as a fascinating… Continue reading
-
Charts from an Orsa Apron Band
Update July, 2025: This booklet is unfortunately out of print. Contact me if you wish to purchase a pdf copy. Weavers had previously been buying this booklet directly from me, but I’m happy to announce that it will now be sold through Vesterheim, the National Norwegian-American Museum & Folk Art School, both at the museum… Continue reading
-
Hallingdal Bands (Old Post/Revised for Website Redesign)
In an article in the Norwegian Textile Letter, I talk about how pick-up bands were used in the old days in the Hallingdal valley of Norway. The bands shown in this post, which also illustrate that article, were modeled after traditional Hallingdal bands in Norwegian museum collections—one a hairband and the other trim for a… Continue reading
Norwegian Pick-Up Bandweaving 