Klässbol's LINEN WEAVING - THE STORY
A genuine craftsmanship and a burning passion for the manufacture of the unique and personal with the aim of maintaining and developing the manufacture in Klässbol that realizes customers' dreams and needs, it has always been the driving force for four generations.
Here is the story that began in 1920.
Our story begins in 1884 when our grandfather Hjalmar Johansson was born in Klässbol in western Värmland. The family was large and there were eight siblings. At the age of nine, grandfather Hjalmar started at the town's woolen factory as a running boy. It was there that his interest in weaving was sparked and it grew over the years. After employment as a weaver in Arvika and Sågmyra, he moved to Borås for training at the weaving school. He gained professional experience at Borås Jacquard weave and later at Västergötland's Yllefabrik in Tidan.
The year had reached 1918 when he received a request to return to Klässbol. Stafnäs Ullspinneri needed help due to a generational change. Grandfather Hjalmar, grandmother Augusta and their eight children then moved back to their home village and grandfather started as a master weaver at the wool spinning mill. He soon realized that the wool spinning mill could not be saved, but in the evenings he had started weaving linen sheets and towels on a handloom in the kitchen at home. The linen came from the local farmers and grandfather wove for friends and acquaintances.
Over time his clientele grew and in 1921 he bought his first mechanical loom. It was enthroned in the living room and the ceiling of the bedroom had to make room with a hole for the long-awaited jacquard. The loom ran hot day and night and in 1924 grandfather was able to buy a soldier's cottage about 400 m from the home where he moved his business. He also invested in two more looms. Grandfather Hjalmar had time to start seven patterns before he passed away quickly in 1928, only 44 years old. He had no idea then that his craft would become the basis of an international company.
With the strong influence of Glafsfjorden, Billingen and Sörtjärnet and its water systems, artisan traditions were nurtured for generations. The water systems were strong enough to power a dozen mills and sawmills.
When grandfather passed away, his family faced a difficult decision – should they continue the weaving business? There were plenty of debts but no money. The answer came when the family found a life insurance policy that grandfather had taken out without grandmother's knowledge. It was worth SEK 4,000, which was a fortune at the time. It was as if Grandfather had sensed what was about to happen. Now the family could continue the business he had built up. Our father, Vitalis, took over the responsibility for the weaving. Aunt Viola took care of the accounts, Grandma was in charge of the sales and the other siblings helped as they got older. Despite tough times and many setbacks, they continued to run the weaving business and thus carried on the tradition.
In 1975, the weaving business was left to us sons, Sven-Olof, Torbjörn and the undersigned, all weavers since the age of 14.
Present:
Today, brother Urban and his son John, nephew Stefan, and niece Cenita are in the company. Andreas, my son who also belongs to the fourth generation, has held the responsibility as CEO since 2003. Today, the entire fourth generation owns the family business , Cenita Åsen Johansson, Andreas Johansson, John Johansson and Stefan Johansson.
Just like for grandfather, quality is our clearest guiding light. Our weaving patterns are a cultural treasure that we have inherited and that we manage with the greatest respect. The joy of being able to share with us these timeless patterns and other good design is our driving force which we hope will take Klässbols further on the journey that grandfather once started.
- Dick Johansson
Third generation and grandson of the founder Hjalmar Johansson .
Klässbol Linneväveriet owner and fourth generation Johansson
If you want to know more about Klässbol's history, our book "To weave our history" is available to buy at Väveriet in both Klässbol and Stockholm as well as in some online booksellers, such as Bokus .
