Craft workers played an important part in the Viking community. Women were expert spinners and weavers of wool and linen. These cloths were dyed and made into clothes, rugs and sails for ships. Wood was carved into beautiful designs to decorate ships, carts and furniture. Metal workers made gold and silver jewellery as well as weapons which were in great demand all over Europe. Only skilled Blacksmiths made sword blades patterned with steel.

Craft workers made containers from pottery and carved bowls and dishes from soap stone. Coloured glass was imported from Italy by glass workers who shaped it into difficult designs and then put these designs together to make beauiful necklaces. The Vikings were also skilled leather workers.