Basic Nalbinding

Basic Nalbinding Basic Nalbinding

The class goal is to make a simple ball. By doing so you will learn how to create a spiral start, smoothly increase and decrease your stitches, and learn shaping. All these skills become integral to moving on to creating hats, socks and gloves. And we all want to make our own socks right?

Gather these items before class: A needle, yarn, and small spray bottle of water.

1. Needle – You will need a nal or needle. It doesn’t have to be a fancy bone one, or made from an antler or wood. In fact I would highly recommend you do not start with those because it adds yet another dimension to learning basic stitching techniques and tensioning. Start with a bent tipped tapestry/weaving/darning needle. You can find them at Joann’s or order them off of Amazon. They are inexpensive and handy to have around.
2. Yarn – You will need 100% wool yarn. Wool is preferred because Nalbinding is done with lengths of yarn rather than pulling from a continuous skein. The ends are felted together rather than knotted, and wool obviously is best for this. If for some reason you can’t use wool or want to use an acrylic yarn, knots are fine, but it adds another step to the process you may want to avoid at this time. Avoid a light weight or thin yarn. It’s easier to learn with a heavier, worsted wool. Think along the lines of Patons Classic Worsted Wool Yarn, or Patons Classic Bulky Wool Yarn, 3.5 oz. Again easily found online or at Joann’s.
3. Water – A little spray bottle of water is used to dampen the frayed ends of the yarn to felt the ends together. If you don’t have a spray bottle, you can also use a bowl or cup of water.

Lets GO!

Discussion on Kute-uchi, Japanese Loop Braiding, including helpful tools

Discussion on Kute-uchi, Japanese Loop Braiding, including helpful tools Discussion on Kute-uchi, Japanese Loop Braiding, including helpful tools

A salon style discussion about Kute-uchi, Japanese Loop Braiding. I'll talk about a few things I've learned over the years, cover some helpful tools both SCA period and modern, some experiments/thoughts about Kute-uchi, and answer as many questions as you have that wasn't already covered in the previous two classes. Want to talk fiber contents, lengths/ratios of loops, getting the most braid out of the fiber, getting the best most consistent tension, etc. this is the lecture for you.

Fingerloop Braiding Techniques

Fingerloop Braiding Techniques Fingerloop Braiding Techniques

This class focuses on the 15th century fingerloop braiding techniques, braids, and utilizations.

Intermediate and Advanced Kute-Uchi, Japanese Loop Braiding

Intermediate and Advanced Kute-Uchi, Japanese Loop Braiding Intermediate and Advanced Kute-Uchi, Japanese Loop Braiding

Here I'll go over the intermediate and advanced Kute-uchi moves including linking moves for multi-braiders. Some will require finger/hand dexterity practice but are easily learned. Familiarity with basic Japanese loop braiding is helpful but not entirely necessary. For those that wish to follow along with the demo, please prepare one or two bundles of loops using this video, this will allow me to spend more time with you going over the moves. If time and experience allows, I'll also go over helping hands, strap making for hand loops, and an overview of the footbeater for longer braids.

Introduction to Kute-Uchi, Japanese Loop Braiding

Introduction to Kute-Uchi, Japanese Loop Braiding Introduction to Kute-Uchi, Japanese Loop Braiding

An Introduction to Kute-Uchi, Japanese Loop Braiding. Includes a very brief overview of the history of Japanese loop braiding and the basic moves. A familiarity with European and other styles of loop braiding is not necessary but can make e-learning easier. For those that wish to work along with the demo, please prepare one or two bundles of loops a head of time using this video, this will allow me to spend more time working with you. If time and experience allows, I may go over some intermediate moves and/or tips.