How it all began

It feels like a lifetime ago now. But in reality it's only 6 years.

Mid 2016 I had become... somewhat obsessed with Vikings and their culture, and more specifically modern Paganism. To cut a very long winded story short, I had gone through some dark times mentally and found my way to what became a very solid religious/spiritual awakening.

I'd decided that I wanted to "Live more Viking" and after a great deal of research and searching I found Viking Re-enactment.

Now, initially up on joining the world of re-enactment. My one and only wish to become a badass Viking warrior. This is how things went on for a while. Despite the fact that I couldn't really wear armour or fight in the shield wall for long periods of time due to injury unrelated to this hobby, refusal to wear a helmet or shoes on the battle field (Which earned me the nickname "Swiss Army Hobbit"). I continued to fight, mostly lose... and drink.... heavily (There's a funny story here, which I'll tell you one day)

In August 2017 I met Imogen (AKA Imi), the woman who would eventually become my wife. She came to a few training sessions and still fell madly in love with me despite my overwhelmingly embarrassing attempts to appear somewhat tough and hardcore in a room where most of the fighters were at least 2 feet taller than me and could pick me up and literally throw me across the room (Yes this happened).

Looking back, I still don't know why my attempts to appear tough and badass in a room of people playing dress up was really necessary considering I was a serving Prison Officer at the time - but I digress.

After a year or so of Imi attending and sitting on the side-lines at training sessions, she decided

she was bored of watching fully grown men hitting each other with metal poles week after week and decided she wanted to do some of the hitting herself. After much deliberation she settled on the spear as her weapon of choice, which brought on a lot of crude comments by some of the less PC members of the group. However, this didn't seem to deter and I can honestly say, I've never been more impressed and terrified of someone brandishing a spear in my life - I've seen her take a grown man off his feet.

I decided then, that I wanted to do something for Imi as a "Welcome to the group" and "Thank you for all the support", but buying something for her to wear was simple, easy and boring. I wanted to make something for her. Something meaningful and heart felt that i'd put the effort into... But what? the few crafts that I'd tried I hadn't really taken to. And when I say "Few" I mean it. Pretty much in my efforts to look tough and gruff the only things that were acceptable to that image were blacksmithing and leather working - both of which I royally suck at!!!!

I also wanted to make something that she could show off, something that was vibrant (As colour plays a big part in Viking Culture) and awesome.

One of the most coveted things within the Viking Re-enactment world was Tablet Weaving. Not only was tablet weaving generally quite expensive, but it was also hard to master and learn. So despite my initial misgivings on what I was told was a "Feminine and girly" craft. I researched and researched until I was confident enough I could do it.

With a few scraps of wood I found around the house, I enlisted the help of step-dad to build a small rudimentary loom (Which I still have) and I got to work. After about 3 weeks I managed to come out with something that somewhat resembled a red and white, tablet weave belt.

She was over the moon with what I'd come out with and wore it proudly. But I wasn't happy, I'd enjoyed every second of the weaving process, but the outcome wasn't what I'd envisioned for the finished weave.

So I dived back into research mode; what had I done wrong? what could I do better? are there other patterns I could try as a beginner? etc.

This time I let Imi chose the pattern and I tried again - albeit with acrylic yarn (Which in the re-enactment world is an inauthentic crime punishable by scowling) and I came out with something a little bit better.

In her usual supportive self Imi wore it proudly - but I think we're starting to see the pattern here. "An artist is their own worst critic" and I still wasn't happy. I was determined to create a weave I and She were proud of (Not that she was ever unsupportive).

And the rest, as they say, is history....

And just as an FYI - I did eventually make her belt we both loved - and we still have it now.