The Vikings used different techniques to make clothing. Socks and mittens were made from woven cloth pieced together to form heels, toes and thumbs.
Another technique used to make these garments was nålbinding, literally “needle-binding”.
Nålbinding was worked with a single, large sewing needle and limited lengths of yarn. It is a looping technique, where stitches are worked into the row of stitches below. It lends itself to working in the round, which is why it was useful for socks and mittens.
Nålbinding used thick yarn and the textiles made were warm and offered protection from cold and wet conditions.