Nålbindning (literally: needle binding)

Nålbindning (literally: needle binding)

Nålbidning is a way of making a fabric with a larger needle, and it can be compared to knitting or crocheting, or sewing. The needle passes through the loops made (like sewing), and therefor needs splicing quite frecuently.

ruralvarmland,varmlandmap

iain

Swedish

Intangible

591

Nålbindning, sömma, binda, nåla, vantsöm, sy

02/09/2025

08/09/2025

Vinterblomster. Nålbundna vantar från Dalby i Värmland. Elisabet Jacks Svantesson. ISBN 9789163391026 Värmland förr och nu 1991. ISBN 9185224308 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/N%C3%A5lebinding

x x

current,60.71118,12.88606;

University of St Andrews

TEXT

1257

The mittens are worn with the local folk costumes in the area. Also, a local ethnologist, Ulrika Jäger, is researching the connection of the symbolism of the flowers to the strong worship of Mother Mary in this area, before the reformation, when the valleys were a pilgrimage route to Nidaros, modern day Trondheim. The flowerson the mittens seem to be the same as the ones as the once symbolizing "Mary's plants".

Ulrika Jäger, Kajsa Stinnerbom

To make the Dalby nålbidningn there's a special technique that's slightly different from other types of nålbindning. This particular technique is shown and mentioned as "Dalbytekniken", the Dalby technique in the book: (5.112) i "Vinterblomster. Nålbundna vantar från Dalby i Värmland" (page 36). It requiers a knowledge of "krus", embroidery, of the flowers and the local practice. The craft requiers both practical skill, cultural and traditional knowledge.

The technique and tradition are today taught by Bengtsson. She preferes teaching it personally to one pupil at the time as it's advanced and she wants to make sure she can show and teach all details. She's also held courses and taught in schools for ages 13-16 in textile craft.

Women have practices and taught this craft and it's been passed down in generations. To sell this type of crafts have before been an important way to make additional income. Today very few are making and selling these products. There's also somewhat of a notion that it's difficult and that there's a particular way to do it, which can frighten potential new practioners.

The mitten is known for it's connection and tradition in the Klarälvdalen/ Klara river valley in the northen part of Värmland. The mitten holds an imporant meaning for the cultural heritage in the area. The particular technique and the choice of flowers are special for the region.

This technique has been documentet since the viking age. There are also reason to believe that the technique was also transfered to the region from the immigrating Finns in the northen part of Värmland during the 16- and 1700.

Utmarksmuseet, "the Outfield museum", www.utmark.se.

The area of the Klarälvdalen / Klara river valley and the parish of Dalby, Värmland.

Industrial production

It could be argued that the embroidery could be made industrially, but the nålbindning could not.

Aged practitioners,Diminishing participation,Diminishing youth interest,Halted transmission between generations,Reduced practice

Few are practicing, few are learning, few know how to make these types of products.

Insufficient renumeration

There's no economy in making a pair of mittens and selling them for a resonable or even good price.

Loss of knowledge,Loss of protective status

Loss of knowledge due to less practicing. Unsure if it has had a protected status, but it does not right now.

Sysslebäck is a small town of about 500 inhabitants in Dalby parish, Torsby municipality. The Norra Klarälvdalen is characterized by the winding river, valley and forests. Through the building tradition in agriculture and forestry, we see that the area is recognizable and reminiscent of a North Scandinavian character with a Norrland-influenced vegetation. From a historical perspective, the Klarälvdalen and the area along the banks of the Klarälven have been crossed by thousands of pilgrims heading for Nidaros, today's Trondheim.The area invites skiing, hiking and fishing. There is a rich wildlife and the area is home to one of the country's densest moose populations.

Primarily mittens but also other garments and clothes made in the technique, and usually here also decorated with the particular flowers.

The technique makes the e.g. mittens very durable and they are also made in a very high quality.

100% wool, fully biodegradable and also durable.

There's a large intrest for these products, but it's not economically sustainable. A pair of mittens takes about 90 hours to make.

Sustainable Cities and Communities,Responsible Consumption and Production

Sysslebäck, Sweden

endangered

RV_CP_06