Nalbinding - A Short History of Viking Knitting

Nalbinding, naalbinden, nålbinding, knotless knitting, Viking knitting...
However you say it, have you wondered what it is or where it comes from? Why did something seemingly common for hundreds of years nearly disappear? Who nalbinds now?
This video may not have all the answers, but it does cover the history of Viking knitting and hopefully starts a new conversation about it.
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[@jcortese3300]

I find nalbinding very interesting -- it looks like knitting done in reverse, where you make a cast-on with a needle, and then keep adding a new cast-on edge to the bottom over and over. Very fascinating, and I can see why it was so long-lived a craft given that you just need one easily-obtained needle that can be used to work many projects at once. It's also portable given that it won't unravel easily. It's a bit like knitting with the advantages of crochet. I've done it before, but with modern acrylic yarn, which is less convenient given that the constant joins become annoying. I can see how it would be much better with woolen yarns the ends of which you can felt to one another.

[@maggiem6209]

I've never heard of this, but I'm incredibly crafty and love historical clothing construction and history. TIME TO WHITTLE MY OWN BONE NEEDLE AND LEARN A NEW CRAFT.

[@YlvaTheRed]

Be sure to wear the appropriate mask and ventilated the area when working with bone!

[@ah5721]

I learned last year took me month and several requests from intercontinental libraries to get books on nalbinding . my favorite stitch is the mamman stitch. So far to date I have made 3 pair of mittens , a ear warmer, a sad scarf , a sweater with no arms, started another sweater the only 6 inch wide, another sweater that is almost to armpit level and 4 hats all bottom up start. I find doing binding eases my anxiety and helps me unwind and relax at the end of the day :) .

[@YlvaTheRed]

Wow, you're doing so well! Nalbinding is much like knitting in the way it can be blissfully relaxing!

[@gaylescovel7308]

I find crocheting does the same for me. Im gojng to try this nalbinding, very intrigueing to me. Gotta watch more of her vids tho and figure out a needle.

[@neenaj365]

Have started Nalbinding with help from your informative videos! I can do the Oslo and Mammen stitch so far. Favourite is Mammen stitch, as it’s so dense.

[@YlvaTheRed]

I'm glad you're off to such a great start! Happy stitching 😊

[@sandrataylor3723]

My favorite stitch is the Oslo stitch. I find nalbinding relaxing. I have tried very hard to knit but find I can't as I find it too complicated. I crochet and now do nalbinding. Thanks for the history lesson. Love hearing about old crafts and where they came from.

[@YlvaTheRed]

Thanks for watching, happy stitching! 😊

[@BryceHistorically]

What a nice video! I love that you’ve made kind of a “history-of” to go with the how-to. Very clear and informative. 😊 I’ve done a fair bit of Nalbinding myself, and if I’m not mistaken, although we have surviving samples, and can recreate them, the actual method of making a stitch had been completely lost, and has had to be devised by textile historians. So, although the finished product is like the original pieces, how we recreate them may or may not be exactly how they were made originally. (I hope this makes sense. It’s kind of a difficult concept to put into words.) So, for the sake of comparing research notes, I was just wondering what your take on this was. Have any people been found who never stopped Nalbinding, and who are still making it as their parents, grand parents, great-grandparents, etc. have in an unbroken chain? Or is it still a completely refabricated technique. Like Latin, where we can read and write it, but no one truly knows how it was spoken, exactly, because it was completely lost for too long. 🧵💕

[@patwallace8765]

Pat Wallace First saw Nalbinding about 5 years ago & every winter I promise myself I'll get my head around it. I live about 350km NW of Sydney, Australia. The nearest Nalbinder that I've met is about 400km away, just round the corner. People are very interested about it, especially the fact it doesn't unravel. It's autumn here so now the temperature is below 25 degrees Celsius I'll start my 2021 attempt.

[@YlvaTheRed]

It's good to see another Aussie getting into it! Are you out near Dubbo way?

[@johnatkinson5224]

I’ve just started to get into the craft of Nalbinding, though i don’t know many stitches. Came across it when searching the history of knitting and crochet. And love how tight the fabric is

[@YlvaTheRed]

Not knowing many stitches is perfectly fine, if the stitches you know do the job! It's a get craft, I find it very cathartic. Happy crafting! 😊

[@johnatkinson5224]

Ylva The Red what other social media are you on that you mentioned? Can you provide links?

[@YlvaTheRed]

@@johnatkinson5224 I am on Facebook, instagram and I have my own website, you can find links to those in the "About" section on my channel. Or just search for Ylva The Red on the web! (I am definitely most active on my instagram, it's where I post lots of behind the scenes stuff on my projects) 🙂

[@monicaelidaforssell5542]

I know Nålbinding. During a knitting festival they held a three hour course about it, and as I love ancient history, I had to participate in this. I learnt the Oslo stitch. A few years after I learnt it I found a nålbinding book, but I haven`t had the courage yet to use it. Mostly I make winter caps, and some pulse warmers, but I am getting ready to make half a sweater, and possibly socks and mittens.

[@YlvaTheRed]

That sounds like some amazing projects to try, I hope you have fun making them!

[@animalloverabh]

Would love to watch you make those!

[@Darvit_Nu]

I absolutely want to learn how to Nålbind! It is radically different than crochet, knitting or tunisian so it's a huge learning curve but I'm going to keep trying until I can create beautiful things like this. The stitches are much more comfortable to wear in my opinion and the fact that holes are easy to repair (and no worry about the garment unraveling because of a hole) makes the challenge worth it!

[@YlvaTheRed]

Once you start, you may find it hard to stop!

[@borealchorusstudio]

Great video and beautiful work and thank you for sharing!! I do nålebind and love it, been doing it for almost a decade now after being introduced at a local Viking reenactment event. :) My favourite Viking era stitches are Mamman & Oslo, but my go to most versatile, easy to pick up any time and is burnt into my memory stitch is the Coptic/Tarim. I like York but always find it too 'twisty' and that I feel I'm fighting it; it does look nice when the project is complete though!

[@YlvaTheRed]

York stitch definitely does twist, but you're right, has a great look when finished!

[@sandrataylor2323]

I saw a video of Nalbinding while scrolling through KZbin one day and was intrigued. I had an embroidery needle and some acrylic yarn and started playing around with learning the Oslo stitch. Finally, after many, many mistakes, I made a small drawstring pouch and a pair of mittens. Neither are perfect but are serviceable I will continue to perfect this stitch until I'm satisfied, then I'll try a different stitch. I love that it is portable and does not take up much room in my purse. Love hearing the history of this craft. I am now being ambitious by trying to make a pullover sweater/tunic to wear around the house this coming winter.

[@YlvaTheRed]

Good luck, and happy stitching!

[@jessicawitney1154]

The camera angle is really nice and clear! I've got your videos on my watch list (it's backed up from July 😅) I just wanted to catch this one early!

[@YlvaTheRed]

Aww thank you so much! ❤ I'm working on improving with each video, so I'm glad this one is clear!

[@HomeWithMyBookshelf]

Cool video! My favourite stitch at the moment is the Dalby stitch. It creates such thin but solid material, and I also love just working the stitch.

[@YlvaTheRed]

I haven't tried that one yet, I'll have to look it up! :)

[@kerrydagge4397]

Well done. Clear enough to copy along with, if you were set up to do so. Love it.

[@YlvaTheRed]

[@mooturtil]

That was so interesting. Thank you for taking the time to explain the history of it.

[@YlvaTheRed]

Thank you for watching! ❤

[@kumabear3529]

I’ve just recently learned about nalbinding I’ve never tried it but the project you are working in in this video is beautiful 😻. I’m not sure if I will try it myself, I’ve just learned to knit and am learning how to crochet. Who knows. I’m glad that there are people willing to preserve such an ancient art form

[@mintbrownieangelfish-6114]

It feels like I just entered into a whole new world. I just finished my first mitten, made with york stitch (I think) and I love how it works up! I can't wait to try all these other stitches

[@YlvaTheRed]

I find it to be a very lovely stitch! It's thick enough, forgiving, and stretches well too!

[@girlygamer420]

Thank you for the video. Yarn is my greatest vice and I love all crafts associated with it. I've never heard of this technique before but I can't wait to try.

[@YlvaTheRed]

I wish you all the best with giving it a crack!

[@krististewartelliott1813]

Thanks for this video! We are at Shetland Wool Week this week and managed to get one of the few available places on a Nalbinding workshop, which includes a tour of Old Scatness, a famous archaeological site here. You might be glad to hear that there are courses on Nalbinding and that so many people are interested in learning it! Hope you can get to Shetland for next year. :)

[@YlvaTheRed]

I do love that there is a resurgence happening! I hope that we can produce more videos, helpful for those who can't get to workshops, as well as encouraging discussions with those who can!

[@dianehill6126]

Very interesting! Thanks for sharing!

[@YlvaTheRed]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@smurph4959]

Thanks so much for sharing, I cant wait to try this!🌼🌸🌼

[@YlvaTheRed]

You're very welcome! I hope you enjoy this fantastic craft!

[@michellestutzman950]

My Norwegian great grandmother did tatting and my grandma did sewing I never saw this in any of my family stuff but I miss leftsa a really good bread

[@MaxxSmiledog.jpg1998]

Cool. The stitch I learned for the first time is the Oslo stitch,which its one of the so called Finnish stitches 1+1. I believe nålbinding can trace back from probably in my opinion about 100'000 years ago. As you can see,you can also learn on how to make the Russian stitches, turning as well as other kinds like for example Åsle, danish, Coptic /Tarim, etc. The beret and socks you mentioned are made using the Coptic stitch or Tarim stitch. You can also subscribe to neulakinatat and Samato09 ,she tech ed nalbinding stitches in both English and Finnish.

[@lunieahexx6043]

hello I have never herd of Nalbinding before till now and I have some Norse heritage so I might go and use some of the tapestry needles I have for knitting and see if I can get the hang of this it looks very cool and maybe a way to honor my ancestors.

[@SgathaichFey]

I love this video 😍 your voice is so lovely and soothing

[@YlvaTheRed]

Wow, I actually really don't like the sound of my own voice (probably just because of how different it is in a recording to how I think I sound when speaking) so to know that it doesn't grate on other people's nerves is really comforting, thank you!

[@somewherenicefarmstay6146]

How interesting. I have just started on card weaving and now am keen to do some nalbinding. I am a teacher and this year I taught a history unit on the Vikings. I am hooked on their craft now. We also do traditional archery, so I have a place to wear my garments. Thanks so much as I am going to be following your vlogs to learn 'how'. Thanks for taking the time to share your skills with us. Liane

[@YlvaTheRed]

Welcome! 😊 if you need extra resources, don't hesitate to leave a comment, or message me via one of my social media platforms.

[@meatdog]

Today is my first time hearing about this. Im genetically Norwegian and have been exploring all the ciltural aspects to incorpirare into my life. I want to learn this!

[@YlvaTheRed]

Happy stitching! 😊

[@BooksnBeers]

Just discovered nalbinding and I'm super enthusiastic with trying it out :)

[@YlvaTheRed]

Oh awesome, I hope you have heaps of fun!!

[@deraejarvis139]

This was a clear, concise, well presented video! My favorite stitches are Mammen and dalarna.

[@YlvaTheRed]

I'm not satisfied that my Mammen stitch is as good as it could be, but I'm determined to get there! And thank you for the feedback! :)

[@qltygrl3187]

Ylva The Red what’s the best stitch for a beginner?

[@YlvaTheRed]

@@qltygrl3187 It's my opinion that York stitch is the easiest to begin with, however, I know many people will start with Oslo.

[@Melanie-Jay77]

Brilliant but I've never tried it. Love your video

[@gaylescovel7308]

Yep, just stumbled onto this today. N im going to give it a try. 🤗

[@YlvaTheRed]

Excellent!

[@harmoniegarcia640]

Nice video . I like to work with oslo, mammen, york and the finnish stitches

[@karendoyle7999]

Sounds interesting!

[@chismeandoconlahistoria6785]

I loved this video!!!!

[@YlvaTheRed]

Thanks for watching!

[@skippergin2695]

I got interested in Nalbinding a few years ago but didn't do so well at it. Then I went to a viking group where I was the only one who knew much and I guess that motivated me. A week later and I've made a pouch. Now I'm planning to do socks once I can buy some more yarn. I only know the Oslo stitch so far and I might change my mind on my favorite. So far I like it being sort of open.

[@YlvaTheRed]

Congrats on starting strong with a pouch! Are you planning on sticking around with the Viking group?

[@skippergin2695]

@@YlvaTheRed Thanks. It's hard to say, I'll have to get to know them before I decide on joining the group.

[@kimberbites]

Such clear information. I only randomly came across this yesterday so have been gobbling up information to try it. Standard knitting kills my hands, but I adore the look of it.

[@YlvaTheRed]

It's a great craft, I hope it doesn't stress your hands!

[@kimberbites]

@@YlvaTheRed doesn't seem like it would. I can handle crochet for hours without issue. I sent my best friend the video too. She may be trying it out too.

[@YlvaTheRed]

Very exciting, I hope you both make lots of fun things!

[@kimberbites]

@@YlvaTheRed thank you. 😊

[@rosewiththorns4669]

I'm currently learning, started yesterday at the Renaissance faire. I'm spring KZbin until tomorrow when my hubby is looking for a book

[@YlvaTheRed]

That's awesome! If it helps, I have a selection of tutorial videos that might help, in the tutorial play list 🙂

[@rosewiththorns4669]

@@YlvaTheRed I've watched them, they have helped. Thank you

[@Allia1609]

Thanks for the interesting and resourceful video. I first came across nalbinding a few years ago at a viking/medieval festival near Copenhagen and I got the impression that it's a craft only spread in the Nordic reenactment community. I've recently discovered that it's not the case and that even some reenactors in my homecountry Czechia are quite skilled at this craft. I am fairly good at crocheting but I'm determined to learn nalbinding and create a hood for the upcoming festival in Denmark. It looks way more complicated then crocheting though, which stitch would you suggest is the most beginner friendly?

[@resourcedragon]

I thought those famous Egyptian toe socks were knitted using Cretan stitch, rather than a technique that is not actually knitting. Interesting.

[@naomi1005]

To think that someone sat and messed around with woodland came up with this which then led to later skills such as crochet and knitting which would be widely used across the globe...

[@craftshedlove2490]

I'm just teaching my self to on you tube I talked to farmers market lady who taught me the beginning she sold a Nalbinding needle very cheap

[@thegoosling8947]

you know what's funny, old Scandinavians (like back when vikingr was a job) was why i started knitting

[@MmalpMm]

finnish stitch, for very warm and heavy duty fabric

[@SirenSe7en]

Very Nice! I knew fiber crafts went way back but was "fuzzy" on the specifics... This video was lovely. A+

[@YlvaTheRed]

Glad you enjoyed it, thanks for watching! Fibre crafts are ancient as!

[@SirenSe7en]

@@YlvaTheRed Indeed.. I love to Crochet, but i make crochet plushies called Amigurumi which often requires a ton of hand stitching with a tapestry needle to sew the pieces together. I've recently become interested in the roots of the craft and Nalbinding looks very intriguing.

[@YlvaTheRed]

As much as I admire crochet, it wasn't something that really stuck with me, but I freaking LOVE nalbinding! This video is by no means an extensive coverage of it either, there's so much more!

[@SirenSe7en]

@@YlvaTheRed See i love that you get it! I'm the same with "main stream" crochet and kniting. While I have the skill to make the blankets and hats and scarves etc... I'm a nerd at heart and adore making the gaming/nerd related plushies. The other stuff just doesn't hold my interest. I got recommended you channel because i like watching the historical reenacting community videos Like Bernadette Banner and Morgan Donner while i work.

[@YlvaTheRed]

Plushies are amazing, that's a subject I'd like to get good at, but will probably never have the time 😭 Oh wow, I always wonder how people find my lil ol' channel! It's pretty neat if the KZbin algorithm is putting me anywhere near those lovely folks. ❤

[@killiansirishbeer]

I'm curious if that would suit me more than knitting. I love knitted fabric but I'm more of a sewer than a knitter unfortunately. I just can't get into a flow where I am comfortable and can relax while knitting instead of being tense and hyperfocused on what I'm doing and not worry about missing a stitch whereas sewibg I can do while listening or watching something.

[@YlvaTheRed]

Give it a shot!

[@seasoncrafts2128]

amazing this is the first time ive heard of this. i knit and crochet the modern way and am very interested in the history of knitting and crocheting. i would love to learn how to do this 🙂

[@YlvaTheRed]

It's a fantastic craft, and as someone who already understands fibre crafts, you are in a prime position to take it up. You probably already have the necessary materials too! I've made a few tutorials to help people get started, so if you'd like to give it a go, head over to my Tutorials playlist ☺

[@seasoncrafts2128]

@@YlvaTheRed thank you i will have a look. not sure if i have the right tool but i defo have enough yarn for the project. also thank you for an amazing and inspirational video i have liked and subscribed 😊

[@YlvaTheRed]

@@seasoncrafts2128 If you have yarn and a yarn/tapestry needle, you have the tools to start! Glad you enjoyed the video!

[@sophroniel]

Malmö stitch is the first I taught myself and, being the total nerd I am, I taught myself Swedish to make it easier to study Skandinavian papers. Helps having a Swedish dad though; he remembers his farmor doing it! He never knew what it was called as she only used it for mittens, apparently.

[@YlvaTheRed]

Haha, I'm the same with German, my dad's side is German so it's almost like cheating sometimes when researching 😉

[@sophroniel]

@@YlvaTheRed Yeah his hobby is family history, so he has the bonus of being able to read extant records for me!!! Sooooo convenient

[@YlvaTheRed]

@@sophroniel fantastic!!

[@craftshedlove2490]

Go to tower minessota on Thursday evening 3:30 to 6pm

[@craftshedlove2490]

And you may just run into this talented lady she looks to be in late 30s or early 40s her husband is very supportive of his wife helping at the vendor

[@YlvaTheRed]

@@craftshedlove2490 are you referring to another nalbinder? Because I've never been to Minessota!

[@inimolend]

So how fast is this technique compared to knitting? We also have some local old historical needle-knitted (as we call it here) garments preserved in museums in Estonia (for example ritual wedding mittens), however knitting took over big time in 17. century.

[@YlvaTheRed]

I'd say nalbinding is slower than normal knitting, for sure!

[@ivebeenjapanized]

Very cool and appreciate that there are people keeping it alive but personally I never likes how side to side fiber work laid

[@YlvaTheRed]

That's fair, not all crafts suit all people! Thanks for watching 🙂

[@scottish785]

I never heard of Nalbinding until I got searching for some Viking style patterns to knit up as I started knitting last November. This here looks real interesting to learn also! I did a quick search for needles and such and came across some bone needles on amazon. They seemed to have at least 2 differ3nt lengths a 3.5 inch needle and a 5 inch needle. For an outright beginner which size might be better? Also are there websites that have both free and paid patterns and such ones that would also be good for a beginner? Thanks have bookmarked and subscribed!!

[@YlvaTheRed]

Hi, thanks for watching! Nalbinding IS interesting and a great hobby. Needle length is a very subjective, and personal thing, and the only way to know which is best for you, is to practice with needles of different sizes. My personal experience says needles around 8cm are the most commonly used by hobbyists, however in rotation in my own needle collection are needles from 5cm to 12cm. Each one lends itself to different stitches or styles, in my own hand. It may be that a stitch I feel comfortable using a 5cm needle for, you may find too fiddly to use. The 3.5inch is probably enough for you to get a feel for the craft, without being awkward, so maybe start there? As for patterns, try Ravelry, or Suzanne Broome's website for a wonderful little instructional booklet

[@scottish785]

@@YlvaTheRed OK Thanks will start at 3.5. Just don't want to get something that is to hard to handle. Can always upgrade later but this is just as a starter needle. And thanks will check both sites out.

[@scottish785]

​@@YlvaTheRed is Susanna's website VIKING AGE CLOTHING as that popped up when I searched want to make sure I am n the right site. Also do you know the title of the book you mentioned as she has a number of books in the list

[@YlvaTheRed]

Thats the site! She has a nalbinding book that covers the beginner level stitches, but I'm sorry, I don't recall the exact name of it off the top of my head!

[@starsarahh]

My fav is mammen

[@YlvaTheRed]

Mammen is such a lovely stitch!

[@ah5721]

mine to! works up easy !

[@RandomAFP]

The amount York twists drives me bonkers, so it's Oslo for me.

[@YlvaTheRed]

And that's totally fair!

[@RandomAFP]

@@YlvaTheRed I suspect it doesnt help that I tend to be using my handspun which comes out thinner than what youre using.

[@YlvaTheRed]

The finer the stitches, the more twist, I find. That can be frustrating to manage!

[@RandomAFP]

@@YlvaTheRed all the more respect to the lunatic who made the York sock!

[@YlvaTheRed]

Haha so true!

[@maddibunni9177]

I only know one stitch! The Oslo stitch lol

[@YlvaTheRed]

Oslo is incredibly versatile, so in theory, you wouldn't need to know more!

[@maddibunni9177]

@@YlvaTheRed I’ve made my own fingerless gloves with this stitch (very haphazardly might I add) but I definitely am excited to learn more stitches!

[@YlvaTheRed]

@@maddibunni9177 that's awesome, keep practising!