Question: Is NÃ¥lbinding a form of knitting? I have seen a few projects that said they were NÃ¥lbinding, and wondered how much information there is on this type of knitting or needlework. Roseanne L., Aurora, CO

Answer: I have researched several times the needlework of NÃ¥lbinding. I still don't quite know if I am using the term all that correctly, but, its a fascinating type of needlework. I have put together some information from several sources, some of those are listed below, and the other is from a woman who really knows her craft.

NÃ¥lbinding is a textile technique that uses a single, eyed, needle to create fabric by sewing non-continuous lengths of thread in a fashion that in its most basic form is a series of buttonhole stitches and in more complex forms are threaded together. In NÃ¥lbinding, the thread is not pulled tight against itself forming a hard knot, but the stitches are tensioned, often around a thumb or needle, leaving a meshwork of interlocking loops of thread. Except in those forms that look like crossed knitting, it does not unravel like knitting or crochet as the thread is drawn entirely through each stitch. The resulting fabric is generally built spiraling up row by row and can be very elastic or quite stiff depending on the variation and material used.

Anne Marie has many photos of different projects that can be made, and has a little description for each photo. Her Photo page is very informative! She also has great NÃ¥lbinding Links and Resources for places who sell books, fibers, needles and other NÃ¥lbinding necessities.

Knitting's next of kin - "It is quite possible that knitting grew out of a process called nailbinding." http://www.buckden-village.co.uk/knitting-uk/knitting-history.htm What is nailbinding: http://www.dilettante.info/nalbindingmain.htm …

Tools, tools & more tools! (ooo-er) - There's a tapestry beater, nailbinding kit, square thread bobbins and a lucet kit. The quality of them is amazing, beautifully made, nice smooth wood. I bought them all from Ebay, shop name finniwig_studios, or t hey have a website too …

SCA: Marketday at Birka - I managed to avoid the nailbinding (naalbinding) needles and the project books. I can't bring myself to pay for a booklet that's poorly copied and stapled together. I got a demonstration of a Lucet, which maked a period cord. …

If NÃ¥lbinding is of interest to you, I highly suggest visiting Anne Marie's site. Anne Marie has the best information, organized information, and great links and resources. Her site is the most informative that I have seen for NÃ¥lbinding. You should also check out some of the links posted above!

I get a lot of searches for free smocking patterns, and although I am constantly on the look out for free tutorials, there just aren't many around. I searched for quite a while before I found the following four websites/blogs. Not all of these are complete tutorials, but they all have some really great information. I suggest taking a look at all of them, and even checking out some of the info that they have listed on your site as resources.

The first link is a great tutorial by a woman who really knows her stuff! The second one has some really good info too. The third one has some really good info for zippers. The fourth one is from a woman who spent a week reading tutorial after tutorial and has some really great pictures of smocking that I hadn't seen before.

If you know of any online free smocking tutorials and would like to share them here, please do!

Question: I love to crochet but would eventually like to learn to knit, there seems to be more knitting patterns than crochet, when it comes to clothing. Until I learn to knit, do you have any leads of where to find great jacket or sweater patterns that can be used for knit or crochet? I would love to find other clothing or afghan crochet patterns too! I Need Help!! Mary Britten, Tulsa, OK

Answer: Yes, definitely! I am a bit partial to Leisure Arts for patterns, or Knit Magazine, and luck would have it that Leisure Arts  has what you are looking for! I hope the patterns are to your liking, Leisure Arts has a pretty good selection. You should also look around their library for more great ideas and I would also sign up for their newsletter. I love getting mine and seeing all the great things they have! Leisure Arts has brought back some of their past patterns in digital format in their Library, and they are reasonably priced and you don't have to wait for them in the mail.