Vikings were not only fierce warriors, but they were also incredibly talented craftspeople. The most important and expensive part of a Viking ship was not the specially crafted wooden ship, but the sail! And there were many steps involved in making that sail; raising sheep, spinning wool, weaving, and waterproofing, which is estimated to take two years to accomplish. Inspired by historical Vikings, Vatnheim Vikings endeavors to learn, master, and demonstrate a wide variety of skills and crafts.
Vatnheim Vikings strive for clothing and accessories that are historically accurate both in style and construction. By making most of our clothing ourselves, we gain a better understanding of the demands of fabric and construction quality.
Accessories, or Viking ‘bling’, includes brooches, weapons, embroidery and tablet weave, and glass beads and carved pendants. These items are either made by members or by other artisans who share our passion for authenticity.
Below is a list of ancient crafts and related activities a typical Norse individual might know how to do:
- Blacksmithing & forging: cauldrons, helmets, nails, hooks, weapons
- Woolworking: carding, dying wool, dropspinning, weaving
- Wool arts: tablet weaving, naalbinding…
- Sewing & embroidery: clothing, tablecloths, sacks…
- Leatherwork: bags, shoes, straps, belts, decorative appliqués,…
- Foraging for food & medicine
- Cooking over a fire
- Bowmaking, arrow fletching
- Shield construction
- Woodworking
- Carving: stone, soapstone, wood or amber
- Jewelry making: silversmithing, beadmaking, soapstone mold carving…
- Fishing, netmaking
- Animal husbandry
- Shipbuilding
- Rope making
- Dwelling/shelter construction: tents, huts, awnings, longhouses…
(They were also well-versed in pillaging.)
Vatnheim Vikings 