Nalbinding is the historical name used to describe the earliest form of wool craft that predates modern knitting and crochet. There are many different cultural types of nalbinding; Nidavellnir specialises in this craft during the Viking Age in the British Isles, North Atlantic, Scandinavia and Northern Europe. All the items you see within the shop are handmade by yours truely , using 100% wool, Rare breed British wool and Icelandic wool.
The Nalbinding for Beginners: Starter Kit by Nidavellnir is HERE!
This Kit is the first of its kind in the UK! Launched in February 2018, this kit continues to sell out!
Whether you have an interest in Knitting or Historical Crafts, or even if you've never given knitting a try, this Kit provides you with everything you need to Learn and Develop the Viking Age form of knitting, nalbinding.
Known by many different cultural names, nålbinding is the name for the Scandinavian form; using a single needle and detaching long lengths of yarn to use traditional and historical stitches to create warm items like hats, socks, gloves and mittens. For the purposes of introducing and teaching a UK based audience the technique is referred to as, Nalbinding, by Nidavellnir.
Each parcel is shipped 1st class Special delivery for UK buyers (when dispatched, arrival within 1 working day)
International buyers parcels are 1st class Tracked and Signed for (when dispatched, arrival within 5-7 working days *dependant on your own local postal service.)
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Note for first time Nalbinders:
-This kit is the first Nalbinding for Beginners starter kit in the UK , created by myself as a Heritage Craft Specialist and Archaeologist. The Guide is self published by myself, as I have over 10+ years experience in teaching and demonstrating the craft, there is no other published resource like this in the UK at present. The wool is sourced to be appropriate for beginners, as not all fibres and plys are suitable. The handcrafted bone needle is historically appropriate and ethically sourced. All UK kits are posted to you 1st class Special Delivery, it is more expensive, but offers your purchase security and speed. I offer this service as a standard. Nalbinding
is not an easy, pick-up-and-go heritage craft. It requires a bit of understanding the context and the Starter kit brings all that together to give someone who has never given the craft a go before, the chance to learn this different woolcraft. Its nothing like modern knitting or crochet, which can sometimes confuse modern woolcrafters. Its also recommended to be used in conjunction with my videos on YouTube, where you can learn more about the craft and see some different historical stitch variations. I also have a community support Facebook group 'Nalbinding with Nidavellnir' , where people who are starting out on their nalbinding journey can get in touch with me and I can offer remote teaching and guidance if needs be.
Nalbinding is an endangered heritage craft in the UK, so the resources may seem more expensive than normal craft kits, but the historical application and teaching method is very unique to this craft.
I would encourage people to have a read on the 'heritage craft associations' website for the Nalbinding.
As a Viking-Age Archaeologist and Heritage Craft Specialist I have a passion for keeping ancient skills alive and teaching these to others.
This Kit includes:
- 1 x Book (34pgs, 13 x 20cm) : 'Nalbinding for Beginners' by Emma 'Bruni' Boast. 1st Edition. A beginner's guide to nalbinding that starts with the basics. This book will enable you to learn, practise and develop this form of 'Viking-Age knitting' with ease. An easy-to-follow photo guide with explanations along the way. Enjoy this traditional craft and study at your own pace!’
Inside the book are high definition photographs illustrating the beginners stitch, as well as two tutorials on how to make a nalbound hat and pair of gloves/fingerless mittens.
- 2 x 50g of Moss Green 100% Wool Yarn, appropriately selected for beginners in mind.
- 1 x Bone Nalbinding Needle, suitable for Re-enactment Living History or personal crafting (ethically sourced)
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This book is written in English by an UK based heritage craft specialist and Viking-Age Archaeologist. I have spent many years in heritage education, teaching and guiding people through Viking-Age History and Archaeology.
Some added information:
-The book is suitable for ages 8+ as a teaching resource, as the font is also produced in a large, clear form making it easy to read and follow.
- Suitable for partially sighted individuals. It has a green background with white writing for those that may be partially sighted, as well as being written in a large clear font.
- There are high definition photos to show you each individual step of each tutorial. -This book is also suitable for left and right handed crafters. Nalbinding is an instinctive craft not based on patterns, it is through this technique these resources aim to teach a beginner.
This Book is printed on eco-friendly recycled paper, the wool is ethnically sourced and the packaging is made from textile fibres and recycled paper. There is no plastic in this product.
Passion and Interest for a historical woolcraft.
I bought a Nalbinding starter kit and was a little surprised at the lack of content when I received it. It contained 2 balls of wools, 2 booklets (one of which was a feedback form) and a needle. The instruction booklet is A6 size and about half is dedicated to the history of Nalbinding and how Bruni has become an expert in the field.
I was keen to make a start and followed the instructions in the book but found them very difficult to follow. I tried many times and didn't want to give up so went on YouTube to see if I could find any tutorials there. I did find other people who had posted clips and tried again. This then made me feel cheated as I could have bought a needle and wool, looked on YouTube and spent more like £20 instead of £66.
I gave Bruni some feedback and she replied very quickly with a very long explanation about the heritage and how many years she has dedicated to promoting the craft. That is all very laudable but not the reason I should pay more than 3 times the worth of the product.
I mentioned i had had to resort to using YouTube and she said that the product is designed to be used in conjunction with these videos. So as far as I can see part of the £66 is using other people's video clips.
I feel very disappointed with the product and the response to my feedback. I have booked many classes through Craft Courses before and felt that this, although expensive for a non face to face course, would be good value as it is a platinum course.
I do appreciate that crafts, especially heritage crafts, need to be supported and kept alive but this is not the way to do that.
Response from Nidavellnir:
As discussed with you, I have explained my credentials regarding nalbinding&how the starter kit resources are structured. The listing for the course/starter kit is comprehensive&lists exactly whats contained in it. I actually directed you to my own resources online via my 'Nalbinding with Nidavellnir" support group on facebook&my own Youtube videos under 'Emma Boast'; not 'just general nalbinding ones' online.Which bear no ressemblence to how i teach. I tried to highlight this to you but sadly you just dismissed it. My students use the starter kit independently & if they need more support, i can remote guide/teach you for free, as youve purchased the kit. Its meant to be a crafting-dialogue between me&my students.However, when i offered to provide extra support & teaching to you, you dismissed my requests. I'm sorry the Starter Kit didnt meet your expectations. I hope you find a way to access nalbinding as a heritage craft, in a way that best suits you.Very expensive for 2 x balls of wool, a needle and a short book. Whilst I’m interested to learn this I was very disappointed
Response from Nidavellnir:
I'm really sorry to see you feel the Starter Kit is only worth 1 star.