<p><strong>Disclaimer</strong>: I've never actually made a needle for naalbinding, but I have done some other wood carving and the principles are the same.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.en.neulakintaat.fi/19" rel="nofollow noreferrer">The site from which you (presumably) got your picture</a> lists a few materials that naalbinding needles can and have been made from, including the following:</p>

<ul>
<li>juniper</li>
<li>rowan tree</li>
<li>honeysuckle</li>
<li>lilac</li>
<li>olive tree</li>
<li>fruit trees (like apple tree)</li>
<li>ice cream sticks</li>
</ul>

<p>From the above, you can probably conclude that any reasonable wood (I.E. not balsa) will do.</p>

<p>I found <a href="http://pin.it/zXvNLx-" rel="nofollow noreferrer">a tutorial</a> that suggests making the basic shape first, but given that making the eye is probably the trickiest bit I would make it first before carving the shape.</p>

<p>As always, the main thing to be aware of is safety. If using a knife, <strong>always cut away from you</strong>, and take appropriate steps with whatever other equipment you may use.</p>

<p>Apart from that, the only thing that's required is a small amount of (what looks to be very cheap) material and some practice.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-09-14T10:20:11.747Z
2017-09-14T10:20:11.747Z
walrus
<p>I am recently exploring a new craft: <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/N%C3%A5lebinding" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Nålebinding</a>. I started using regular large plastic needles. But sadly, these are a little bit too small and soft for this craft, so the eyelets often break. </p>

<p>I have seen people using needles made from bone, antler or wood. Since I live in a woody area, I would like to know if anybody has experience in making needles from wood? It would have to look something like this:</p>

<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/npRBO.jpg" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/npRBO.jpg" alt="enter image description here"></a></p>

<p>I have some small woodworking tools, but I have never used them. They were a gift from somebody else that gave up on woodworking after not succeeding a few times. </p>

<p>So, my questions basically are: </p>

<ul>
<li>What is a good sort of wood to make a needle from?</li>
<li>How do I start? Do I make the eyelet first, or the needle shape? </li>
<li>Are there any things that I, as an absolute beginner, should be aware of?</li>
</ul>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-09-14T00:07:25.463Z
I can't answer your question, but if you haven't already, I would check out the Society for Creative Anachronism and see if they have any resources available to help answer some of your questions.  It is a group that is focused on medieval reenactments, and I myself learned naalbinding from members of the group. I know many of them make their own tools, so they may have resources that can help you if no one here is able to answer.
magerber
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-10-12T10:56:04.363Z
Suggestion: bamboo. That sort of flat strips from which tweezers are made should be pretty good for this.
Chris H
<woodworking>
How to make a wooden needle?
Tinkeringbell
# How to make a wooden needle?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2017-09-13)

I am recently exploring a new craft: [Nålebinding](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/N%C3%A5lebinding). I started using regular large plastic needles. But sadly, these are a little bit too small and soft for this craft, so the eyelets often break.

I have seen people using needles made from bone, antler or wood. Since I live in a woody area, I would like to know if anybody has experience in making needles from wood? It would have to look something like this:

[![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/npRBO.jpg)](https://i.sstatic.net/npRBO.jpg)

I have some small woodworking tools, but I have never used them. They were a gift from somebody else that gave up on woodworking after not succeeding a few times.

So, my questions basically are:

* What is a good sort of wood to make a needle from?
* How do I start? Do I make the eyelet first, or the needle shape?
* Are there any things that I, as an absolute beginner, should be aware of?

**Tags:** woodworking

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: I can't answer your question, but if you haven't already, I would check out the Society for Creative Anachronism and see if they have any resources available to help answer some of your questions.  It is a group that is focused on medieval reenactments, and I myself learned naalbinding from members of the group. I know many of them make their own tools, so they may have resources that can help you if no one here is able to answer.  
> **username_2**: Suggestion: bamboo. That sort of flat strips from which tweezers are made should be pretty good for this.  

---

## 1 answers

### Answer by username_3 on 2017-09-14. Score: 4

**Disclaimer**: I've never actually made a needle for naalbinding, but I have done some other wood carving and the principles are the same.

[The site from which you (presumably) got your picture](http://www.en.neulakintaat.fi/19) lists a few materials that naalbinding needles can and have been made from, including the following:

* juniper
* rowan tree
* honeysuckle
* lilac
* olive tree
* fruit trees (like apple tree)
* ice cream sticks

From the above, you can probably conclude that any reasonable wood (I.E. not balsa) will do.

I found [a tutorial](http://pin.it/zXvNLx-) that suggests making the basic shape first, but given that making the eye is probably the trickiest bit I would make it first before carving the shape.

As always, the main thing to be aware of is safety. If using a knife, **always cut away from you**, and take appropriate steps with whatever other equipment you may use.

Apart from that, the only thing that's required is a small amount of (what looks to be very cheap) material and some practice.


---

