The Ancient Craft of Naalbinding
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Naalbinding (also spelled Nalbinding, or Nalebinding) is an ancient craft dating back to the stone age. It is 2000 years older than its “relatives,” knitting and crochet. It’s best known as a craft originating in Scandinavia and practiced by the Vikings, but forms of naalbinding were also practiced in Egypt, Peru, and other areas around the world. Unlike knitting, it uses one needle to knot the yarn to create the stitches. |
I’ve written in other articles about how crafting is an activity that connects us to our ancestors. Before machines and malls and supermarkets, things were made by hand, using skills passed down through generations. Whether we think about it actively or not, we are part of that tradition: humans making things they need or want with their hands. It’s exciting that people still practice skills, like naalbinding, with such deep roots. As Craftsters we understand that things made by hand have their own sort of life. Ancient and historical crafts like naalbinding connect us with the past, almost as a neverending length of wool reaching back through the millenia.
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This is not to say that you can’t create some modern, fun projects using ancient techniques! Check out the projects here made with naalbinding. Some are ancient patterns and materials, others are fresh and new. All are fantastic! If you are interested in learning naalbinding, cottontop has very kindly provided many resources in this post. Thanks, cottontop!
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What historic crafts would you like to see featured in the blog? Let Batgirl know!
I have never heard of that before. I love making reenactment stuff and using authentic techniques to do it, so I’m gonna try this out. Vikings, you say, I’ll have to design myself some sort of Viking outfit just so I can try this.
I’ve heard and read about this before but I can’t ever seem to find good directions for it. Thanks for the article, it’s nice to know other people are curious about this too.
Ooooh! Something new to try!
Well just great. Another awesome project I have to find the time to do!
Never heard of this before, but in my grandmother’s sewing things I inherited on of the needles. Now I know what it is for. Thank you batgirl!
I’d like to see Quilling featured (as a historical craft)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quilling
Wow, never ever heard of this before. Thanks for the insight.
How about the art of ‘tufting’?
Aw, an article about nalbinding, illustrated with my older posts – reminds me, I need to post recent stuff… you said it so well about the link to the past, that’s exactly what it feels like. Just wanted to warn people about how addictive this technique is
Hi..
I just looked the internet for crafting pages and fell over this site.. Nalebinding (or like we say in Scandinavia NĂĄlebinding (the “ĂĄ” is pronounced as an “o” like in “open”)).
I don’t know if she is sending it out of Denmark, but I can try asking her.
On http://www.historicum.eu/product.asp?product=602 you can buy a book (unfortunately only on danish).
If someone has the “courage” I will ask her?
Christian Rathje
Thanks for all the awesome comments! Ruby Copperhead, please post! I’d love to see more!
Oooh, this is so cool! Of course, as frustrated as I get trying to find crochet patterns for things I like, this must be just a TAD bit harder to find. XD
Wow! Looks interesting and very creative.
Is that the same thing as the toothbrush rugs?
Very nice.
I could tell you similiar story.
Will you look at metheor shower this night?
I read it will be great show.
do you have any instructions for nalebinding?
have you any idea if that would have been used to construct some long socks i have form Tibet – looks similar.