A couple weeks before Thanksgiving, a post came in from the Weaving Sales Ads list. An old temple was for sale, and it had a name and date engraved on the underside, “A. Halvorsdatter, 1850.” My fingers flew across the keyboard to get a reply sent off, yes, I was interested in purchasing it.

On my way to our monthly weaving guild meeting, I stopped at our mailbox and found a long package, the temple! It was about an hour’s drive to get to Marcia’s home, and I managed to wait until I got there to open the package.

There it was, 25 inches in length, with most of the original brads, though slightly bent. The pin, to push through the holes at desired size, was attached with green yarn. The temple will open to 41 inches, though to use it, the pin needs straightening.

My paternal grandparents came here from Norway, around 1918. My grandmother’s name was Severina Simonsdatter. Hence my interest in a piece of weaving equipment that may have been owned/used by a young woman of Norwegian or Swedish descent. In Norwegian, “datter” means daughter.

How I would love to know who A. Halvorsdatter was. Where did she live, both here and very likely in the “old country?” What did she weave? Was she born in Norway or Sweden and brought this temple with her? You never know what weaving gift will appear in your mailbox, or your life. A small piece of A. Halvorsdatter now lives on in another weaver’s home studio.

(Note: When I took the photo, I had neglected to turn one piece over so the pointed brads on each end were facing down; that has been corrected.)

I was away for several days, enjoying time with family members. Now? Back home in my weaving studio, enjoying the beginning of winter.