Years ago, I learned how to do Swedish weaving from my grandmother and grandfather. We called it huck towel weaving. I had no idea it was an old Swedish craft. I am not sure how my grandmother got involved doing it, but she did.

On a day that my grandfather did not have to work we went to Forestville to a small store that sold huck material. They had it in all colors at the time. I remember making towels of red and green with a

Christmas theme. I still use them for Christmas – more than fifty years later! I also had some light green, some yellow, and white.

I also made some dresser scarves for my mother’s dresser and vanity as a birthday gift. I made some for my own things, too. Grandma never bought a pattern book. Grandpa made patterns for her. He loved the designing aspect of the craft.

Grandma made a set of scarves to put on her couch. I am happy to say that I still have some of them although they have been around more than fifty years.

The material is extremely durable and the thread has lasted as well.

What is Swedish weaving? You must have a special material to do it. The weaving only shows on the one side of the fabric. You weave your thread under the small threads and the thread never goes through the material.

Grandma shared her skill with several of the neighbor girls but I do not think they enjoyed it as much as I did. The hot weather this week got me thinking about the things I did when it was too hot to just play.

Yes, we had those days when I was growing up. Grandma and I sat in their screened in porch with the windows open. It really was quite a pleasant place to sew.

I resumed doing the craft when my granddaughter was about 8 or 9. I took her to the Swedish Heritage Days. While we were there, I bought her a kit to make a towel. She picked up the skill easily. The ladies teaching the class were surprised. She finished her towel to give to her mother.

I also taught the craft to my craft group. By that time, I had to go on-line to find the material. I bought several yards. I cut the material into pieces to make towels. I also bought an assortment of thread for the project. I think five of us were together that evening around my dining room table.

I picked a simple pattern to teach. You had to count the threads to get the pattern centered. One lady was very frustrated. She could not see how it could be fun. She took her material home and I suspected hers would never get finished.

I was wrong. She not only finished her towel; she began to make her own patterns. Once she caught on to the craft she found out it was not too difficult. I think I still have a kit around here somewhere that I never finished. Maybe it is time for me to pick it up and get it finished.

One time when I was shopping, I found a whole bolt of the material quite reasonably. I bought it and began to use it. I made a scarf for my neighbor’s piano. I also made some towels as well as some dresser scarves. I made head rests to put on my couch. They helped keep my new couch clean. I suppose there is some of that left as well.

Hot weather is a good time to work on creative things. The nice part of the Swedish weaving is that the material is small and light. I also like to knit but that is too heavy and these very warm days.

Now I simply pick up is my Kindle and read. I can always get a new book unless I am out of computer range. That is the thing that I like best about using the Kindle. I do still like to pick up a real book occasionally though.

Ann Swanson writes from her home of Russell. Contact her at hickoryheights1@verizon.net.