Respect for nature
- Ásthildur is keeping a traditional craft alive
- She works with farmers to source the best wool
- She makes her own plant-based dyes
Ásthildur Magnúsdóttir's education in weaving began when she was aged 16, at high school, in Akureyri. At this time, knowledge of the craft of weaving and spinning was already declining rapidly in Iceland. After school she travelled to Sweden and Norway, to the old industrial city of Västerås and the northern capital, Tromsø, respectively. There she met true masters of the craft and honed her skills. Icelandic wool is a great source of inspiration to her. She carefully chooses all her raw materials and spins by hand. She makes use of the wool’s properties and qualities, which are often destroyed in the production of factory-made yarn. She was the Designer in Residence at Museum of Design & Applied Arts in 2020.
INTERVIEW
I was first introduced to the concept of weaving while I was aiding on a farm, I was only 12 years old at the time. There I was given the task to cut down plastic milk-bottles into thin strips, which I then used to weave a plastic mat!
The raw material I use is supplied from my immediate environment. Wool from local farmers, whom I am familiar with and know can supply premium quality wool. This wool comes from the stock of sheep brought to this island by the first inhabitants.
I examine the lamb-wool by hand, on the creature itself. During summer and autumn, I walk in the wild Icelandic nature, searching for plants to use as dyes. It is a privilege to use this beautiful natural product, to spin and weave from it.
What I appreciate about my profession, is that I can work independently on my ideas and craft. I can use my time researching and reviving the traditional methods of wool-working, keeping this important legacy alive.
Ásthildur Magnúsdóttir
Weaver
Selfoss, Iceland
Recommended by Ásthildur Magnúsdóttir
AVAILABILITY
By appointment only
PHONE
+354 8994111
LANGUAGES
Icelandic, English
