Spinning thread and weaving have long been related to magic in the Northern European tradition. Think of the magic of a spider weaving its web or how often a spindle appears in a fairy tale; Sleeping beauty for example or Rumpelstiltskin.

Crochet was originally known as 'shepherds knitting' in the British Isles, this was based on nalbinding and was done with a needle made from animal horn, bone or wood. The Vikings practised nalbinding but the techniques have long threads that link them across the globe and reach far back into time.

Crochet is a perfect technique for producing amulet bags, which are like the leather medicine bags worn by some indigenous peoples of the Americas, used to hold symbolic objects and amulets and which can be worn under the clothes.

Pairing the tradition of the medicine bag with the technique of crochet, I have made bags varying from small necklaces to hold a single small stone, note, intention or treasured object, to larger ones that will hold several objects and maybe also a key or credit card to be kept close.

Just as a medicine bag contains objects related to personal well being and wider identity of the tribe, a crocheted amulet bag can be used for the same purpose.