Nålbinding connections

Abstract

Nålbinding is the collective name for several thousands of stitches formed using yarn and a needle to create a fabric. A nålbound fabric consists of a stitch or a row of loops that is connected to or sewn in the previous row. Only a handful of connections have been documented and described. This paper analyses around 150 swatches made by the author with the purpose of exploring how many types of connections there are and the how different connections change the texture of the fabric using the same basic nålbound stitch. As the number of possibilities identified was greater than expected, this paper also describes a notation system that will make it possible to analyse and compare the different connections. The notation is designed from a crafter’s point of view, describing how the connections are made. This will make it possible both to better describe existing connections and to create new nålbound stitches and textures.