Njalurefill

About

The Njal's saga tapestry is a new activity in Hvolsvollur where the goal is to sew Njal's saga in a tapestry form using the Bayeux stitch (laid couching work) , a special type of stitch that was used in the Viking age. The Njal's saga tapestry will be around 90 m long and the yarn that is used is an Icelandic woollen yarn, dyed locally using natural herbs. The project was started in Febury 2013 and as of September 2014, 30 metres have been sewn. The plan is that the tapestry will take 4 - 5 years in the making. Possibly the best known tapestry in the world is the Bayeux tapestry in Normandy, France, which is 70 m long. Gunnhildur Edda Kristjansdottir and Christina M. Bengtsson, two local women, had the idea that sewing the Njal's saga in a tapestry form would be an interesting way to introduce the most famous Icelandic saga to a wider audience. They contacted Kristin Ragna Gunnarsdottir, an artist and literary scholar, and she designed the pictures printed on the tapestry for sewing. The sewing takes place at the Icelandic Saga Centre in Hvolsvollur , and once it is completed, the Njal's saga tapestry will be on display there. Anybody can visit the Saga Centre and sew as much or as little as they wish to. People can come to the sewing area, as long as it is open, to see how the sewing is coming along. Visitors that want to take part pay a small amount (1000 ISK) and receive instructions on how to sew this stitch along with the other 2 stitches in the tapestry. They are asked to write their name and what part of the tapestry they sewed in a guestbook that is on display in the same area as the tapestry itself. It is also possible to buy handcraft packs which have pictures from the tapestry itself . All those wishing to make donations to this worthy project are very welcome. All donations are gratefully received! The goal with this tapestry is to create an artwork that has great meaning for the community and for tourism in the Rangarthing Eystra area. This new activity gives tourists and scholars from all over the world, a chance to experience Njal's saga in a different form, whilst surrounded by the saga's scenery.