Textile designer Ulla Parkdal employs traditional techniques to weave rugs and carpets in an array of designs and colors, from bright grids and diamond patterns to dual-patterned pieces featuring intricate borders and monochromatic centers. The Swedish weaver’s work is known across the world for its complex markings and sturdy durability.
Parkdal was born in Gothenburg, Sweden. She later received her post-secondary education at the HDK - Academy of Design and Crafts at the University of Gothenburg. After her studies, Parkdal went into rug making as her primary profession. She also served as a politician for many years for the Social Democratic party of Sweden, while simultaneously engaging in her passion for weaving textiles.
During the 1960s, Parkdal worked as the head designer for Eric Ewers AB, a textile company based in Sweden. She primarily collaborated on concepts produced by the Rakel Carlander weaving studio.
When Carlander’s studio closed in the 1990s, Parkdal bought a large weaving loom and began to work independently. She has since woven tapestries, rugs and other textile works. She has produced many pieces for churches around Sweden, including a red travel cape for a bishop in 2000.
Parkdal uses the Nordic röllakan technique, also known as “Swedish flat weave,” which borrows from traditional Turkish rug-making traditions. This method has been used in textile production in Sweden as far back as the mid-18th century. Parkdal’s woven wonders are outstanding textile works that combine this heritage with a modern style.
On 1stDibs, find a selection of Ulla Parkdal rugs and carpets.
Ulla Parkdal Blue + Purple Swedish Flate Weave Rug, Sweden 1960s
By Ulla Parkdal
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Ulla Parkdal blue + purple Swedish flate weave rug, Sweden 1960s, measures: 7' 10" x 5' 5". A blue and purple wide polychrome checkered border with a light green and teal melange ...
Wool
Signed Ulla Parkdah Green Wool Mid-century Handwoven Swedish Flat-Weave Rug
By Ulla Parkdal
Located in West Hollywood, CA
A Swedish hand-woven wool rug designed by Ulla Parkdal with woven initials (UP) at a corner. It is in excellent original condition, consistent with age. This mid-century, circa 1960s...
Wool
$4,795Sale Price|30% Off
Ulla Parkdal, Swedish Flate Weave Rug, Sweden 1960's
By Ulla Parkdal
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Ulla Parkdal - Swedish flate weave rug - Sweden 1960's - 94" x 62.5" A light melange checkered field. Wide polychrome checkered borders.
Wool
1960's Ulla Parkdal Scandinavian Swedish Röllakan, Åhus Brun
By Ulla Parkdal
Located in Dallas, TX
78475 vintage Swedish Rollakan rug by Ulla Parkdal, 06'06 x 10'01. With its Scandinavian Modern style, incredible detail and texture, this handwoven wool vintage Swedish rollakan rug...
Wool
Flatweave carpet by Ulla Parkdal, Sweden, 1950s
By Ulla Parkdal
Located in Eskilstuna, SE
Beautiful flatweave carpet designed by Ulla Parkdal in Sweden during the 1950s. Great original condition. Measurements without fringes.
Wool
Doris Leslie Blau Vintage Swedish Flat Woven by Ulla Parkdal
By Ulla Parkdal
Located in New York, NY
Vintage Swedish Flat Woven by Ulla Parkdal Size: 5'5" × 8'0" (165 × 243 cm) This vintage Swedish flat-woven rug, designed by the celebrated textile artist Ulla Parkdal, is a sublime ...
Wool
Vintage Swedish Flatweave Rug by Ulla Parkdal, Signed “UP”
By Ulla Parkdal
Located in New York, NY
Vintage Swedish flat weave rug by Ulla Parkdal Size: 5'2" × 7'10" (157 × 238 cm) Color: Beige, brown, gold, yellow. This captivating vintage flatweave rug, designed by renowned Swedi...
Wool
Doris Leslie Blau Vintage Swedish Flat Woven by Ulla Parkdal
By Ulla Parkdal
Located in New York, NY
Vintage Swedish Flat Woven by Ulla Parkdal Size: 5'3" × 8'0" (160 × 243 cm) This striking vintage Swedish flat-woven rug by renowned textile artist Ulla Parkdal is a masterful expres...
Wool
$1,400Sale Price|37% Off
Ulla Parkdah Swedish Flat-Weave Rug, Signed UP, Sweden, 1960s
By Ulla Parkdal
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Ulla Parkdah Swedish flat-weave rug, signed UP, Sweden, 1960s This particular Swedish carpet is a wonderful representation of midcentury Scandinavian r...
Wool
$1,575Sale Price|30% Off
Ulla Parkdah Swedish Flat-Weave Rug, Signed UP, Sweden, 1960s
By Ulla Parkdal
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Ulla Parkdah Swedish flat-weave rug, signed UP, Sweden, 1960s This particular Swedish carpet is a wonderful representation of midcentury Scandinavian r...
Wool
$5,200Sale Price|20% Off
Ulla Parkdal Brown Swedish Flat Weave Hand Woven Rug Signed Up Sweden, 1960's
By Ulla Parkdal
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Ulla Parkdal Brown Swedish flat weave hand woven rug signed up Sweden 1960's A dark brown melange ground with dense rows of stepped medallions in a variety of brown, yellow, grey ...
Wool
Swedish flat weave Röllakan carpet, 1960s
Located in Uppsala, SE
Swedish flat weave Röllakan carpet from the 1960s by unknown designer. Main colour is green in a few different tones with a variety of patterns and shapes in pink, beige and blue on ...
Wool, Linen
Ingegerd Silow, Carpet, Wool, Sweden, 1950s
By Ingegerd Silow
Located in High Point, NC
An orange, brown and yellow-dyed flatweave wool carpet designed and produced by Ingegerd Silow, Sweden, c. 1950s.
Wool
Swedish Flat Weave Rug, Mid 20th Century
By Märta Måås-Fjetterström
Located in New York, NY
Mid 20th century Swedish rug, Initialed "MMF" (Marta Maas-Fjetterstrom) Sweden ca. 1940 Measures: 7'4" x 5'0" (224 x 152 cm).
Wool
Oversize Handwoven Aubusson Style Flat Weave Rug 14' x 20'
Located in Secaucus, NJ
Oversize Handwoven Aubusson Style flat weave rug. Based on an original Asmara painting by Elizabeth Moisan, an admirer of the great 18th century English textile artist Ana Maria Ga...
Wool
Swedish Flat-Weave Rug
Located in West Hollywood, CA
The Swedish collection is primarily inspired by vintage Swedish flat-weave rugs, whose geometric designs are relevant as ever in the 21st century. The collection utilizes a number of...
Wool
Mid-century Modern High Pile Blue Rya Rug, Sweden, 1960s
By Ethel Halvar Andersson
Located in Grythyttan, SE
This exquisite mid-century modern rya rug, crafted by a skilled Swedish textile artist in the 1960s, embodies the artistry and quality of Scandinavian design. Handmade from premium “...
Wool, Linen
Swedish Mid-Century Rölakan Rug Handwoven Wool Carpet
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
A Mid-Century Modern vintage handmade Swedish carpet in wool featuring a geometric pattern. This blueish colored Scandinavian rug dates between 1950 and 1970. The tradition of qualit...
Wool
Nordic Rug Rollakan Swedish Signed Piece
Located in Ferrara, IT
Invigorate your home space with the Swedish Rollakan Rug! This simple yet eye-catching Scandinavian design features a soft color palette, and is crafted using traditional flat weavin...
Wool
Swedish Style Flat-Weave Rug
Located in West Hollywood, CA
The Mansour Modern Swedish collection is primarily inspired by vintage Swedish flat-weave rugs, whose geometric designs are relevant as ever in the 21st century. The collection utili...
Wool
Mid-Century Multi-Colored Italian Flat Weave Rug
Located in Miami, FL
A very stylish mid-century rug made of 100% wool. This rug has flat woven, wool piles and is in very good vintage condition with beautiful colors. Circa, 1970-80s. No holes, nice a...
Wool
Vintage Swedish Flat-Weave Rug, 1920
Located in New York, NY
Vintage Swedish flat-weave rug Vintage Scandinavian stripe pattern in ivory with a variety of grey and brown nuances. Sides have a border with a flat pattern in different brown nuan...
Wool
Scandinavian Rollakan Swedish Rug
Located in Ferrara, IT
This is an interesting Scandinavian Rollakan Swedish rug in a captivating combination of beige and pink colors. This exquisite piece stands out f...
Wool
1950's Ulla Parkdal Scandinavian Swedish Röllakan
By Ulla Parkdal
Located in Dallas, TX
79058 Ulla Parkdal Vintage Swedish Rollakan Rug, 05'03 x 08'01. In the realm of design where luxury whispers rather than shouts, this handwoven wool vintage Swedish rollakan—an exclu...
Wool
Flatweave carpet by Ulla Parkdahl, Sweden, 1950s
By Ulla Parkdal
Located in Eskilstuna, SE
Beautiful flatweave carpet designed by Ulla Parkdahl. Made in Sweden during the middle of the 20th century. Great earthy tones.
Wool
Sold
W 67.33 in L 96.86 in
Ulla Parkdal Green Swedish Flat Weave Hand Woven Rug Signed Up Sweden, 1960's
By Ulla Parkdal
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Ulla Parkdal Green Swedish Flat Weave Hand Woven Rug Signed Up Sweden, 1960's A dark green melange ground with dense rows of stepped medallio...
Wool
Vintage Swedish Kilim Rug Signed Ulla Parkdal. Size: 5 ft 4 in x 8 ft
By Ulla Parkdal
Located in New York, NY
Vintage Swedish Rug Signed Ulla Parkdal, Country of Origin: Sweden, Circa date: Mid 20th Century. Size: 5 ft 4 in x 8 ft (1.63 m x 2.44 m)
Wool
Ulla Parkdal Designed Swedish Flat Weave, Sweden 1960's
By Ulla Parkdal
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Ulla Parkdal designed Swedish flat weave - Sweden 1960's 94" x 66" This vintage Scandinavian handwoven flat-weave rug - designed by Ulla Parkdal Signed UP. Ulla Parkdal was a Swedish designer and master textile weaver. Ulla Parkdah...
Wool
Ulla Parkdah Swedish Flat-Weave Rug, Signed UP, Sweden, 1960s
By Ulla Parkdal
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Ulla Parkdah Swedish flat-weave rug, signed UP, Sweden, 1960s This is an excellent example of Ulla Parkdal as a master weaver of exquisite Swedish rug ...
Wool
Ulla Parkdahl Swedish Flat-Weave Rug, Signed UP, Sweden, 1960s
By Ulla Parkdal
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Ulla Parkdahl Swedish Flat-Weave Rug, Signed UP, Sweden, 1960s This is an excellent example of Ulla Parkdal as a master weaver of exquisite Swedish rug design...
Wool
Ulla Parkdal Large Swedish Flat-Weave Rug, Sweden, 1960s
By Ulla Parkdal
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Ulla Parkdal large Swedish flat-weave rug, Sweden, 1960s. Size: 11 ft 6 in x 8 ft This vintage Scandinavian handwoven flat-weave rug - Designed by Ulla Parkdal Signed UP. Ulla Parkdal was a Swedish designer and master textile weaver. This particular Swedish rug is an extra unordinary find, in this style and size, it is quite a rare piece. Ulla Parkdah...
Linen, Wool
Vintage Swedish Kilim
By Ulla Parkdal
Located in New York, NY
Drawn in a timeless, modern style, this outstanding signed Swedish Kilim features an artful pattern of reticulated lozenges and quarter-rhombus motifs that have an earthy masculine c...
Wool
Vintage Swedish Flat-Weave Rug by Ulla Parkdahj
By Ulla Parkdal
Located in New York, NY
Vintage Swedish flat-weave rug by Ulla Parkdahj.
Wool
Vintage Swedish Kilim, Signed by Ulla Parkdahl
By Ulla Parkdal
Located in New York, NY
This vintage Swedish Kilim, signed by Ulla Parkdahl, showcases a masterfully styled composition with compartmental segments and bold borders that interact beautifully. The warm, wood...
Wool