Naalebinding
Naalebinding or Nålebinding is a fabric creation technique. Also known in english as "knotless knitting" or "single needle knitting" the technique is distinct from crochet in that it involves passing the full length of the working thread through each loop, unlike chrochet where the work is formed only of loops, never involving the free end.
Scholars suggest that the technique may be ancient due to its lack of need for long continuous lengths of yarn. Naalebinding works well with short pieces of yarn. Examples include some of the oldest fabrics known including examples from Judea in 6500 BCE and Denmark in 4500 BCE. Examples are also known from early periods in Arabia, Egypt, England and Scandinavia.
The basic technique involves the use of a single needle. A loop is formed, and the needle passed through the loop. The thread is pulled through the loop, but the knot is not snugged up, but rather left loose, forming a new loop. The needle is then passed through this NEW loop, forming a chain. At the end of a row, the work may be turned, and each stitch passed through both its partner loop and a loop in the previous row, or the work may be worked in a single direction "in the round" forming circles and tubes for socks and mittens.
Due to the "pulling through" the technique is well adapted to short lengths of yarn which can be joined together to form a textile.