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!
What is 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!
How Do You Pronounce “Krokbragd”?
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.
What is Krokbragd Weaving?
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.
What Makes Krokbragd Special?
-
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!
Can I Weave Krokbragd on a Rigid Heddle Loom?
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.
Can I Weave Krokbragd on an Inkle Loom?
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.
Free Krokbragd Tutorials for Rigid Heddle Loom
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!
Want to Learn Krokbragd Step-by-Step?
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.
Helpful Krokbragd Resources
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 ⬇️
Am I correct in the assumption that in order to pack the weft down more closely, the warp must be at a higher tension? Cuz boy, I could do that fairly easily with my rapid warp rigid heddle loom. I can crank up the tension pretty high.
Can you refer me to any sources on the history of this style of weaving? How far back does Krokbragd go? When did it first start appearing? Was it used for clothing at all?
Herbalsheila in Missouri USA
You don’t need super high tension, regular tension on a rigid heddle loom works just fine.
There is quite a lot of historical information to be found if you spend a bit of time googling, but this blog post suggests that krokbragd was used in clothing, at least, in costumes.
http://robbielafleur.com/2017/06/27/more-historical-krokbragd-inspiration/
Information on how far back it goes, and where it actually originated varies a lot. It seems that it is a very old weave structure though!
Another generous gift from you…to all of us, but it feels offered only to me!!! Thank you. This will be so much fun…just in time, cuz my RHL is naked in front of my eyes. celeste in California.
It's just for sampling to refer back to Betsy 🙂
Looks beautiful Kelly. What will you make with the cloth?
Yes, I'm aware of that Charlotte 😀
Thanks to your video's I have been weaving krokbragd a few times and I really like it! Now I only have to think about how to use the woven parts instead of only looking to them and touching them (but only that is also great 😊).
Greeting out of Holland.
I would definitely like to do this using two Heddles. And I would also be interested in a class on it with the three Heddles on a floor loom in the future. Like you, I am fascinated by this type of weaving.
I am really looking forward to it!!! But you already know that…lol
Hugs,
Charlotte
I have tried to do this a few times, never with any success I have to say – not sure what I do wrong, but I obviously don't get it – lol. REALLY would love it if you could do a lesson for this! I will be very much looking forward to finally getting it right!
thanks
Sami Martel