The Farmaðr Vararfeldr
- ardbeagcrafts
- Feb 17
- 1 min read
This full-length historical Viking cloak was made on commission for a customer in Australia! Its name, Farmaðr, means "wayfarer" or "journey man" in Old Norse, encapsulating the long distance this beautiful cloak travelled to meet its new wearer in Australia.
The cloak blends lovely brown and grey fleece to create a tapestry of natural hues. I started with a beautiful dark brown warp, which formed a rich background for the fluffy fleece tufts.
One of the highlights of this journey was washing the finished cloak on the shores of the Gare Loch. After immersing it in the saltwater, I rinsed it in our garden with a hose to remove the salt water from the sea loch. I was amazed to see how the varafeldur remained water-repellent even after being fully submerged. The water ran off its long locks, showcasing the remarkable natural waterproofing of the wool.
Before sending the cloak off to its faraway home, I took it to Dumbarton Castle for a photoshoot. This castle endured a four-month siege by the Vikings in 870 AD, ultimately leading to its destruction. Although the existing fortifications were much newer, I felt the cloak resonating with the ancient history of the historic setting.
