Back to the Viking Age and Beyond

​Last weekend I took a two day class to learn to nalbind.  Nalbinding predates both knitting and crocheting and is found in various forms all over the world.   Textile fragments that used this technique have been found in Israel from c 6500 BC, Denmark from 4200 BC, Egypt 4th century CE and Peru 300 BC.
This technique was used in Scandinavia during the Viking age is many reenactors are still using nalbinding to create hats, hoods, mittens and socks.  
Nalbinding uses a needle traditionally made from bone or wood.   We received one in class that the instructor made but I really like the non-traditional one I found at an estate sale.

Estate sale needle, wood needle and polymer clay needle

Because this process has you drawing the entire length of wool through the loops to create knots you’re generally using length of yarn about a yard long.  This means you either need to tie knots when that amount is used up or felt the ends together.

The class was held at the American Swedish Institute and was taught by Melba Granlund.  It was well taught and having it two days in a row really helped me get the process down.  Melba was a great instructor who was able to help everyone in class no matter where they were in the process.  She was very patient and had a lot of examples and books we could look through.  If you’re interested in this there are lots of instructional videos on You Tube that show different stitches and tons of information online.  The ASI has a class in March too.  

​Here are my samples from class

Day One Samples

Day Two Samples

And here is my current work in progress - 

​Next week I'll have voting ready for February.