09-02-2003, 07:35 AM
The "single needle" technique is nalbinding, which is common in the Scandinavian countries. It can produce a stitch similar to knitting but there are something like over 50 stitches in nalbinding, many of which cannot be replicated by knitting.<br>
<br>
Sprang is another technique also used in the Scandinavian countries and like South America (gotta check my references). It produces a springy fabric by twisting warp threads together while weaving.<br>
<br>
I'll have to look back in my Rutt's "History of Hand-Knitting" but I believe he says that there is no Roman word for "knitting" and that the word that is used translated to something like "put together" which could mean anything. Nalbinding is an extension of net weaving (like fishnets) so they could have used that. More likely, it was learned from the Scandinavian tribes since they would have more reason to make waterproof, woolen garments that were more durable and flexible than woven fabric pieced together. The Romans and Greeks in the Mediterranean have little use for winter-type clothes. As more people got assimilated into the Roman empire and the Romans started to set up permanent garrisons and residences in colder climates, I think they would have started to use techniques like nalbinding and sprang.<br>
<br>
As is, the earliest knitting fragments date back to something like 400AD and are from Egypt and the Middle East, pretty much after the fall of the Roman empire in the West.<br>
<br>
Phiala's string pages have pictures of both sprang and nalbinding as well as a list of references for both techniques.<br>
<br>
www.stringpage.com/index.html<br>
<br>
Deb <p></p><i></i>
<br>
Sprang is another technique also used in the Scandinavian countries and like South America (gotta check my references). It produces a springy fabric by twisting warp threads together while weaving.<br>
<br>
I'll have to look back in my Rutt's "History of Hand-Knitting" but I believe he says that there is no Roman word for "knitting" and that the word that is used translated to something like "put together" which could mean anything. Nalbinding is an extension of net weaving (like fishnets) so they could have used that. More likely, it was learned from the Scandinavian tribes since they would have more reason to make waterproof, woolen garments that were more durable and flexible than woven fabric pieced together. The Romans and Greeks in the Mediterranean have little use for winter-type clothes. As more people got assimilated into the Roman empire and the Romans started to set up permanent garrisons and residences in colder climates, I think they would have started to use techniques like nalbinding and sprang.<br>
<br>
As is, the earliest knitting fragments date back to something like 400AD and are from Egypt and the Middle East, pretty much after the fall of the Roman empire in the West.<br>
<br>
Phiala's string pages have pictures of both sprang and nalbinding as well as a list of references for both techniques.<br>
<br>
www.stringpage.com/index.html<br>
<br>
Deb <p></p><i></i>
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Deb
Sulpicia Lepdinia
Legio XX
Deb
Sulpicia Lepdinia
Legio XX
