Learn the ancient craft of nålbinding while creating a one-of-a-kind handmade winter cowl in the Oslo-stitch. This class is geared for both adults, and dedicated young adults—and is ideal for new students or those returning to nålbinding and wanting a refresher. This class will meet for two consecutive Saturdays, October 3 and 10, from 10:30 to 12:30.
You will learn the basic skills of forming chains of stitches to create the fabric, building up the cowl from a straight-sided tube, and expand the flare for the collar—finishing with a decorative edge.
Day one we will focus on fundamental stitch construction and how to recognize the shape of the stitch so you can set down your work and continue when you pick it up again. You will learn how to add on additional lengths of yarn, and joining in the round.
Day two will build on these skills and move on to changing stitch count (increasing/decreasing) and varying stich size and tension to shape the garment. The class ends with embellishing the cowl with a spiral decorative edge, and how to finish off the piece.
Instructor: M Renata Fossett
Materials Needed
You can purchase a kit for $45 from the instructor containing all the materials you need to complete one cowl.
Materials provided for all students include: stitch diagrams, pattern construction guidelines, and links for continued online learning.
If you want to bring your own supplies:
Each student will need:
—Two skeins of a single-ply wool or alpaca yarn in a bulky weight (5) or worsted weight (4) in contrasting colors of your choice. Ideally light or bright to make it easier to see how the stitches are constructed. Yarn should be at least 50% wool to allow for easier joining as you work. Recommend is: Lamb’s Pride, Viking Lovikka, Icelandic Lopi, Patons Classic Wool Roving, or Berroco Peruvia. While there are techniques for joining yarns that are not wool, or those which have multiple plys, the single-ply wool is the best for learning nålbinding.
—One nålbinding needle that is a smooth, blunt needle at least two inches long with a large eye that can easily accommodate the yarn you select. There are no standard needle sizes because the stitches will be formed on your thumb, so you can bring your favorite nålbinding, tapestry, or yarn needle. While some needles are available to purchase online, they may be hard to find. There will be a limited number of needles available for purchase the first day of class. If you are shopping, look for a smooth, sturdy needle made of bone, wood, metal, or horn, with a blunt tip.
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