Krokbragd weaving has captivated my heart and mind ever since I first laid eyes on it. With bold patterns, vibrant colourwork, and centuries of Scandinavian heritage, this weave structure is as beautiful as it is addictive.
Today I want to help you to get started with krokbragd weaving!
So, what exactly is krokbragd? How do you pronounce it? And how can you start weaving krokbragd yourself—even on a rigid heddle loom?
Let’s explore the magic of krokbragd together!
There are a few different ways people say “krokbragd”—and all of them are close enough! Krokbragd translates roughly to “crooked path”.
Common pronunciations include:
“croak-brod”
“croak-brog”
“crok-brag”
The name comes from Norwegian, and while exact pronunciation may vary, we can all agree that this is a truly captivating weave structure.
Krokbragd is a traditional Scandinavian weave structure, often associated with Norway. It’s a type of weft-faced twill, meaning the weft yarns cover most of the warp, resulting in a dense, colourful fabric.
It’s usually woven on three shafts, which makes it ideal for creating bold geometric patterns and artistic motifs. It can also be woven on more shafts to increase patterning possibilities. Debby Greenlaw gives some beautiful examples in her Krokbragd Weaving book.
Although typically done on a shaft loom, you can absolutely weave krokbragd on a rigid heddle loom—with a few clever adaptations.
Three-pick sequence: The weaving sequence is simple and consistent—just three picks (rows), repeated throughout. The magic comes from changing weft colours to create the pattern.
Dense and durable: Because it’s packed down tightly, krokbragd creates a thick, heavy cloth—perfect for rugs, bags, cushions, or wall hangings.
Rich tradition: Historically, krokbragd was used in travel cushions, bed coverings, and door tapestries to provide warmth and decoration in Scandinavian homes.
Creative potential: Once you understand the basics, you’ll find krokbragd to be incredibly versatile. The pattern possibilities are truly endless!
Yes, absolutely! While krokbragd is traditionally a 3-shaft structure, there are several ways to adapt it to a rigid heddle loom. Many weavers use:
A pickup stick method (a pick up stick + heddle rod is most common)
Two heddle setups
If you’re just getting started, I recommend trying the pickup stick and heddle rod method—it’s accessible and doesn’t require extra equipment. It’s also fairly simple to learn because you thread your rigid heddle loom for plain weave, then do some simple pick up.
You sure can! Weaving krokbragd on an inkle loom is slightly different because inkle looms produce WARP faced bands. Usually krokbragd is WEFT faced. Therefore, we turn the draft (known as “turned krokbragd”) to use it in inkle weaving.
You can learn all about this wonderful method and weave some stunning bands in the Krokbragd on an Inkle Loom Online Course.
If you’re as fascinated by this weave structure as I am, check out my free krokbragd tutorials on YouTube. These beginner-friendly videos walk you through the basics and beyond:
👉 Watch the Free Krokbragd Video Series
One of my favourite projects is weaving tulips in krokbragd—a joyful way to combine structure with artistic expression!
I’ve created a detailed, step-by-step course for weavers who want to master krokbragd on a rigid heddle loom.
🧵 Krokbragd 101: Learn to Weave Krokbragd with Confidence
Whether you’re brand new to pattern weaving or ready to deepen your skills, this course will guide you from setup to finishing. It also includes my “secret sauce” of yarn combinations for what I consider krokbragd perfection!
*This post contains affiliate links. For further information, please see my disclosure policy.
Here are some of my favourite books, classes, and guides to help you explore krokbragd weaving further:
You can learn all about weaving krokbragd on a rigid heddle loom by checking out my free Youtube playlist of tutorials:
Krokbragd weaving is rich with tradition and full of creative possibilities. Whether you’re drawn to its bold patterns or its cosy textures, krokbragd is a technique worth exploring and remains one of my firm favourites ❤️
If you’re ready to dive deeper, be sure to check out my tutorials and courses to get started today.
Have you tried krokbragd weaving yet? Or perhaps this article inspires you to give it a try? Let me know in the comments below ⬇️
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Reindeer on a rigid heddle loom
Handwoven No Sew Christmas Hearts
Gift boxes on a rigid heddle loom
Winter Trees
Snowmen on a rigid heddle loom
I hope these inspire you to add some beautiful hand woven
Christmas cheer to your home or someone else’s!
Until next time…
Happy Weaving!
🎄 🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄