You know about knitting but what is nålbinding?

Published 2021-11-10
During the summer, I finally decided to take time to learn how to nålbind socks and mittens. Nålbinding is an old craft – older than knitting or crocheting and it has been used for thousands of years in Europe and even as far away as Egypt. After knitting came popular it almost vanished but survived in remote areas. One of those areas has been Eastern Finland where my grandmother used to make nålbound mittens for my father when he was a child. He still remembers those mittens as very warm, durable, and windproof. None of my living relatives know this skill, though, and so it was in danger to be forgotten in my family. However, I still remember my grandmother trying to teach me the skill when I was a child. I found the method confusing and only remember how my grandmother dealt with the long stretches of yarn by crocheting the yarn into a big chain. Now it was up to me to teach myself the rest with the help of books and the internet.

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Some good links to learn nålbinding:

Sanna-Mari Pihlajapiha: Nalbinding - Nålbindning - Nålebinding: www.en.neulakintaat.fi/1
Kinnasneulakirja by Martta Valkeejärvi with instructional videos here:    • Kinnasneulakirja: Haahlaus  
With One Needle - How To Needlebind by Mervi Pasanen: amzn.to/3qmBoFp

Music: YouTube Audio Library

Equipment:
Nikon D5600 DX-Format Digital SLR: amzn.to/2QIGegX
Mic: Rode VideoMicro Compact On-Camera Microphone: amzn.to/2RcZ9Ab

All Comments (21)
  • @MoniqueAO888
    Your idea of "crocheting/looping" the yarn to have more length is genious !!! 😀
  • It makes my heart so glad and proud to see you reclaiming your heritage in that way. I believe that these older crafts and ways of life should not be forgotten. Thank you for keeping nalbinding alive.
  • @944gemma
    Thank you for posting this wonderful video. I always feel badly about what I call “forgotten knowledge”.
  • @GrannyReplica
    What a fascinating and beautiful craft! I'm so glad it is kept alive, so people like me who first learnt of it 40 minutes ago have a chance to explore it. It feels like every time I turn around a new and brilliant way to enjoy yarn pops up from somewhere. Thank you for creating and sharing this lovely tutorial.
  • I really feel this video was a labor of love and was very important to you. Thanks for taking the time to share!
  • @emmawelch
    This is so beautiful and I love learning more about such an important craft! I'm glad you're keeping it alive, and thank you for sharing!
  • @kbyom
    Great video! A little bit of a tip: Once you put the needle through the loops on your thumb (and before you pull the yarn through), take your left forefinger and place it over the needle and on top of your thumb... then pull the yarn through. This will prevent your new loops from wanting to form in front of your thumb rather than around your thumb. Keep up the good work!
  • @asymmattrical
    That was fabulous! Your English is great and I loved listening to your explanation! You were quite thorough in your explanations and examples. Thank you!!!
  • So clearly explained! Thank you for taking the time to show how to do this 🙂 I am a visual learner and this was perfect for me. And thank you for the book and video links!
  • Hei! Your grandmother was a genious! I'm a beginner myself, started nalbinding about a year ago, watched and read many different tutorials, but I have never met this crochet-chain method before, which enables you to work with a very long yarn. I'm excited to try it, kiitos! I just completed 2 pairs of socks with York stitch, and now working on a pair of mittens with Finnish 2+2. You mentioned, you don't really count the stitches, just increase/decrease by feel. You must have a superpower, because the only way I can make a pair of socks to be the same size and shape, is to make them simultaneously, and also count the stitches and make notes. :D
  • @4slair
    Thank you for explaining how the loops lay. This makes more sense to me.
  • @imkes60
    Thank you for this video. It turns out I hadn't expected there to be a fiber art I hadn't even kind of heard about. It was really fun to learn about this one. I might try to make some leg warmers for when I'm quietly working at home this winter (blankets just don't seem to fit snugly enough).
  • Thank you for your video! I think a tutorial made by a beginner is legitimate for the reasons you state. I have been part of nalbinding group on facebook and bought a book, but your video motivated me and helped me to make my first stitches! working on a small, very imperfect hat now as a first project and your video is very helpful. Thank you for helping to preserve this skill!
  • @fiona36b
    Thank you for sharing your heritage ❤
  • You EARNED another subscriber with this video - WELL DONE YOU ! -Mark Vogt | VOGTLAND OUTDOORS
  • @anicatt100
    Thank you! I confess - I had given up trying to do the thumb method. Watching and listening to you has done the trick and I finally have something I can recognise 😆
  • It was lovely to hear that someone else shares my philosophy regarding students making excellent teachers. Passion plays into it, curiosity too. I'm sure your grandmother would be proud that you're carrying this craft forward and helping others to do the same.