Needle binding: what is it?

Dear users, dear authors,
does anyone here know about the needle-binding technique and would like to share some information about it?

Hi everyone,
I’ve dabbled a bit in naalbinding (needle binding) and will try to explain what it is and how it’s done. It’s a very old handicraft technique that was already known to the ancient Egyptians (archaeological finds confirm this) and is considered something of a precursor to crocheting and knitting, which didn’t emerge until thousands of years later.
In naalbinding, individual strands of wool are linked together using a bone or wooden needle and specific stitching techniques. Unlike crocheting or knitting, the individual loops are firmly joined together, which is why they can’t be unraveled. If a mistake is made, the section must be cut off and reworked. Since the entire thread is always pulled through the loop in naalbinding, you work with individual threads instead of balls of yarn. I always cut my threads to length in advance so I can keep reaching for more without interruptions while I’m actually working. To avoid weaving in too many ends, I felt the ends of the threads together whenever I switch to a new thread.
There are many stitch techniques that create different stitch patterns. The best-known stitch is probably the “Oslo stitch,” which could also be called the beginner’s stitch. I’m currently trying my hand at making wrist warmers and socks with it. The results remain to be seen. :-)

Best regards, Eva

Thanks for the info :-)

Hi Eva,

I can’t really picture it. But it sounds really interesting. Could you please post a picture of it?

Best regards, Ellen

Please upload only your own photos, thank you.

Hi Ellen,
unfortunately I don’t have any pictures on hand right now. I actually wanted to take a photo for you, but my supplies are still safely stowed away in the basement... I use needle binding as a pastime when we’re out and about with our living history group (Romans). But since everything’s been canceled this year for obvious reasons, the supplies are safely tucked away in a box. :-(Sorry.

But if you search online a bit for “needle binding” or “naalbinding,” you’ll find lots of photos and videos—that’s how I learned to do it myself. :-) 

I hadn’t heard of it before, so I Googled it. It looks pretty complicated, though. I don’t think it’s for me— I’d rather crochet. 

Okay. I Googled it too... And I’m sticking with knitting and crocheting as well. 🤣
Still, it’s always interesting to see what else is out there. Thanks. 

Yes, it is pretty awkward when you’re used to crocheting and knitting. ;-) 
But since things need to/should be as authentic as possible at events, and many people in our group already weave, I decided to try it so I can show visitors/interested people something different too. :-D And since crocheting unfortunately only came along much later, that was out... 
But I have to say that it’s still a lot of fun! :-)