Intermediate Nålbinding: Finnish-Style Nålbound Mittens
Next in our series with Laura Ninnemann is Finnish-style nålbound mittens.
What makes them Finnish is the straight start at the fingertips. The Finns find this design preferable since it makes it easier to hold an ax or shovel by allowing the fingers to spread wider.
The flared cuffs are traditionally Scandinavian allowing them to fit over a jacket or sweater sleeve.
After completing one pair, you will have the skill to create warm, cozy, custom-sized mittens for your friends and family – gifts they will surely treasure.
Building on previously acquired skills, you will learn how to:
- refresh your knowledge of the Oslo stitch
- work the Korgen stitch
- correctly size a nålbound mitten
- create the opening for your thumb
- attach and create the thumb itself
- explore various top edge finishing techniques
Prerequisite: This is not a beginner-level class. Students must have sufficient nålbinding skill to work independently so that class time can focus on learning new skills.
Instructor will provide a customizable pattern for use with Brown Sheep Lamb’s Pride worsted weight yarn, and loaner snips for use in trimming yarn ends when joining new yarn lengths.
This class is capped at seven students for hands-on instruction.
- Skill level Intermediate
- Age appropriate 18+
- Materials fee None
- Students should bring
3-4 oz Brown Sheep Lamb’s Pride worsted weight yarn in one or more colors, Brown Sheep Top of the Lamb worsted OR Bartlett Yarns worsted (Fiber Arts on 4th carries the latter two); Nålbinding tools - fraying tool, spray bottle, stitch markers [kits available for purchase $10]
Nålbinding needle [hand finished bone & wood needles available for purchase $18-$28]; Pencil w/eraser; Eye magnification, if needed; Drink and snack or lunch; and note-taking materials.
Instructor
Laura Danielsson NinnemannLaura learned to knit and sew at an early age from her mother and grandmother in pursuit of her Scandinavian roots and is the creative passion behind Lone Raven Studio™. After earning her bachelor’s degree from Fort Lewis College in Durango, CO at the age of 56, Laura enjoyed a ten-year career as an archaeologist at Mesa Verde National Park before retiring in 2014 to pursue her love of fiber arts full-time. Her current interests include designing and creating limited-edition Norse Gnomes, nålbound garments and accessories, Northern Lights felted luminaries, and Krokbragd rigid heddle weavings, in addition to her own branded line of handknit, woven and felted apparel and accessories. Laura teaches a variety of workshops at her Santa Fe studio and other area locations.
