From Julius Koch at Nørrebro to SKYTTEN at Amager

When Copenhagen once again got a shop for weavers!

Weaving has a long history in Copenhagen. By the end of the 19th century, weaving was already both an industrial craft and part of the city’s textile history. But weaving has also always been a craft where people have needed specialized equipment, materials, and someone to ask for advice.

Julius Koch on Nørrebro
A few decades ago, there were several specialty shops in Copenhagen where weavers could buy weaving yarn, looms, shuttles, and other weaving equipment.

One of them was Julius Koch at Nørrebrogade 52. In Krak’s Directory from 1969, Julius Koch is listed under “Looms and weaving tools” with hand looms and accessories. In the 1980s, the business continued as J.K.’s Håndarbejdsmagasin, which was still listed among retailers of looms and weaving tools.

A historical glimpse of Julius Koch
The Museum of Copenhagen has a photograph of Julius Koch at Nørrebrogade 52 in 1982. The photograph shows part of Julius Koch’s buildings and is registered by the museum with “weaving shop” as one of the keywords - see the photo here>>

Toika – a connection between then and now
At Julius Koch, they also sold Toika looms – the same Finnish brand that we carry today at SKYTTEN.

We think that is quite a fine historical connection. Because even though many years have passed, part of the idea remains the same: To have a specialty shop where weavers can see the equipment, feel the materials, get help, and talk to others who are interested in the craft.

From specialty shops to SKYTTEN
Julius Koch was not the only specialty shop. Over time, Copenhagen had several places where one could buy materials and equipment for textile and weaving crafts. Later, among others, Garntex on Gothersgade was part of this environment.

But gradually, the specialized weaving shops disappeared from the streets of Copenhagen.

That is the tradition we at SKYTTEN would like to be a part of.

Today, you can once again visit a physical specialty shop for weaving and spinning in Copenhagen. At SKYTTEN on Amagerbrogade, you can see Toika and Ashford looms, spinning wheels, and other equipment, feel the yarn and fibers, and get help with both small and large projects.

We also hold courses, repair, and help make the craft work in practice. For us, a specialty shop is not just about selling equipment. It must also be a place where the craft can be lived, shared, and passed on.

From Nørrebrogade to Amagerbrogade.
From Julius Koch to SKYTTEN.

Perhaps it is not a new tradition we are creating.
Perhaps it is an old Copenhagen tradition that has come home again.....

Watercolor by Rasmus Christiansen. Weaving room at Rubens Steam Weaving Mill on Rolighedsvej, Frederiksberg, around 1890. A glimpse of the history of weaving in Copenhagen.