Stone Age Origins
The oldest known example of a looped needle technique like nálbinding comes from Nahal Hemar Cave, Eastern Mediterranean, dating back over 6,000 years. Made from plant fibres, the fragment shows early use of interlaced looping—long before knitting existed. While not identical to Viking-style nálbinding, it suggests that single-needle textile techniques have been with us since the Stone Age.
These fragile artifacts are displayed “in a darkened room, under glass and resting on a bed of silica gel” to protect them from humidity and light damage in the Israel Museum, Jerusalem.
Ancient Egypt
Dating back to between the 3rd and 7th centuries CE, the Coptic wool socks demonstrate the durability and practicality of nalbinding as a textile technique long before knitting became widespread. Today, examples like the brightly dyed red socks housed in the Victoria & Albert Museum highlight the remarkable craftsmanship of early textile artisans in Egypt.
Norway
The Oslo mitten is a well-preserved 11th-century woollen glove discovered in urban excavations in Oslo, Norway. It is renowned for its use of the distinctive “Oslo stitch,” a nalbinding technique named after this very artifact. This stitch creates a strong, stretchy fabric ideal for warmth and durability, making the mitten an important example of Viking Age textile craftsmanship. Today, the Oslo mitten is housed in the Museum of Cultural History in Oslo.
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York
Discovered during excavations in York’s Coppergate area, this 10th-century wool sock is a rare surviving example of Viking Age nalbinding. Made with a unique stitch pattern now called the “Coppergate stitch,” the sock showcases the skill and practicality of medieval textile craftspeople. It provides valuable insight into daily life and clothing in Viking-era England. The sock is part of the Jorvik Viking Centre’s collection.
