Ásthildur Magnúsdóttir

Weaver

©Ásthildur Magnúsdóttir

©Axel Sigurðsson

©Ásthildur Magnúsdóttir

©Axel Sigurðsson

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

©Ásthildur Magnúsdóttir

©Ásthildur Magnúsdóttir

What was your first experience with weaving?: 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!
What is special about the material you work with?: 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.
How is your craft connected to the land?: 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 do you love about your profession?: 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 is a master artisan: she began her career in 2008 and she started teaching in 2008