The Trollen Wheel

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 A Trollen wheel (also called a Trelleborg or braiding wheel) is a circular, hand-held tool with evenly spaced notches around the edge and a hole in the center. Used for centuries (and heavily associated with Viking and medieval re-enactment crafts), it allows you to easily weave beautiful, sturdy, and non-stretchy cords or friendship bracelets. [1, 2, 3, 4]






Materials You Need
  • A Trollen Wheel: You can purchase pre-cut wooden or MDF wheels online via stores like Etsy, or make your own by cutting a disc out of thick, stiff cardboard or craft foam. Wheels usually have 8, 16, or 32 notches.
  • Yarn/Thread: Choose an even number of strands depending on your wheel (e.g., 7 strands for an 8-notch wheel). Wool, cotton, or embroidery floss all work beautifully. [4, 7]


Step-by-Step Braiding Guide

  1. Prep the Strands: Cut your desired number of threads, tie them together in a secure overhand knot at one end, and add a small weight (such as a heavy nut or bolt) to this knot.
  2. Thread the Wheel: Drop the knotted, weighted end down through the center hole of your wheel. Let the wheel sit a few inches below the knot.
  3. Load the Notches: Arrange your strands so that each thread is placed into one of the notches around the wheel's edge. Important: Always leave exactly one notch empty.
  4. Begin the Weaving Pattern:
    • Hold the disc flat. Count 3 notches clockwise (or counter-clockwise, as long as you remain consistent) from the empty slot.
    • Pick up the thread in that 3rd notch and move it into the empty slot.
    • Rotate your wheel so the newly emptied notch is now oriented in front of you. [1]
  5. Repeat: Continue this exact process: count to the 3rd thread, move it to the empty slot, and rotate. As the weave grows, pull gently on the bottom weighted end to ensure an even, consistent tension. [1, 7]

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