VARAFELDURS

Paying homage to Scotland's rich Viking heritage, I research and recreate traditional Viking-era varafeldurs. These are great, shaggy cloaks of curly locks worn by ancient kings and seafarers to keep the elements at bay.

These cloaks are mentioned in the saga of the 9th-century Norwegian king Harald Gráfeldur, who took his eponym “Grey Cloak” from the grey varafeldur he was gifted. They are later noted as an important trade good in the 13th-century Icelandic law text Grágás, which gives specific dimensions and regulations for how they should be made.

Remnants of the distinctive woven and knotted cloth used to make varafledurs have been found in Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Russia, Scotland and the Isle of Man, showing how far these remarkable pieces of craftsmanship, and the skills used to make them, traveled in the ancient world.

Naturally wind and waterproof, thanks to the properties of the wool they are woven from, varafeldurs evoke powerful imagery of the wild North: warrior kings marching to battle, skalds sharing tales in the mead hall, and the Norns themselves, sitting at the great loom of fate, weaving the fates of men.

These very special cloaks also make wonderfully warm throws for a bed or sofa, or dramatic wall hangings.

You can learn more about my varafeldur journey in this article written for the Ashford Looms and Wheels blog.

Commissions

My varafeldurs are each made to order based on my clients' specifications. They can be made in custom sizes and colour schemes. I use natural fleece colours such as blacks, whites and creams, greys and browns, and can also use natural dyes to stain the wool red, blue, yellow or purple.

As a guideline, it would cost £1450 + P&P for a traditional 40" x 60" cloak, or £725 + P&P for a 40" x 30" short cloak. Wool and dye may cost extra if not in stock.

Get in touch to discuss your requirements and claim a cloak fit for a Viking king or queen!

Commission Yours

The Farmaðr Varafeldur

This commission was sent all the way to Australia, earning it its name, Farmaðr or Wayfarer. Made from a mix of Shetland cross and Gotland fleeces, its voluminous locks are a lovely mix of brown and grey.

The Golden Fleece Varafeldur

This cloak was woven on Sarah's home-built traditional warp-weighted loom, and dyed with local plants from the Rosneath Peninsula to give it its golden brown hue, evoking the Golden Fleece of legend.

The Eigg Varafeldur

This varafeldur was a commission based on a fragment found on the island of Eigg. I researched the construction of the fragment carefully, and reconstructed it with short, Shetland-type wool.

The Swooping Night Owl Varafeldur

This mini varafeldur was made as a more portable "fashion" version of the historical garment. Its knots are slightly less closely-spaced, but its long Icelandic locks still give it incredible volume.

Snerriblóð Haugar Varafeldur

Traditional Viking craft meets modern art, with naturally-dyed Wensleydale fleece representing the bloody journey of the Vikings through the rivers and hills of Northern England.

Raven's Wing Shadow Varafeldur

A traditional Icelandic varafeldur woven and knotted from locks of Icelandic, Gotland, Shetland and Colonsay wool.

Shetland Grafell Varafeldur

A classic grey varafeldur, made from Shetland wool from Uradale Yarns. Washed in the sea loch according to Shetland traditions, and named for Harald Grafell, the Viking King who wore a varafeldur!