Ms and Os and Buckens and Owls

M's and O's is a weave structure that creates fabric with great texture and visual interest, but what's the history behind the weave? While we couldn't find the origin of the name (if anyone knows it, do let us know!), we did learn a bit about its origin. According to Maguerite Davison it probably originated in Finland where it was used for upholstery. While the Pennsylvania Dutch wove M's and O's, there aren't any exampoles of it in older German weaving books. It's thought that the Pennsylvania Dutch weavers (and other American weavers) learned the structure from Finnish immigrants. Interestingly, it wasn't always known as M's and O's in the U.S.--for a time in Rhode Island it was known as "buckens and owls."